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Since 2005, IRI's program in Jordan has focused on connecting citizens and government by promoting democratic governance and strong political parties. IRI grassroots-focused activities encourage democratic participation on the national and local levels by engaging civil society, particularly women and youth, and preparing political parties and candidates for elections.
Through its democratic governance programs, IRI helps local civil society groups connect with their elected officials, involving them in decision-making processes and encouraging government bodies to be more responsive and accountable to constituencies. Program activities include civil society advocacy workshops, citizen sponsored issue forums, mayors’ roundtable discussions, and workshops for mayors and their staff on constituent relations and communications.
IRI also offers workshops to political parties and candidates to strengthen their skills and prepare them for elections. IRI workshops help parties and candidates develop more effective platforms, campaigns, political messages and internal communications plans.
IRI’s work is informed and supported by regular public opinion research at the national and municipal level, helping focus government officials, key decision-makers and political parties on the issues that matter most to the Jordanian public.
Local Democratic Governance
Public opinion polling shows a weak link between citizens and municipal governments with citizens rarely approaching municipal councils to resolve community issues. Similarly, municipal officials seldom contact citizens on issues of service delivery and “customer” satisfaction. IRI encourages constructive, effective and sustained interaction between citizens and local government as a means to strengthening the democratic process in the country. The program incorporates a two-pronged approach: First, IRI works with citizens to help develop advocacy skills; and second, IRI works with elected municipal officials and their staff to be more responsive to constituents.
IRI’s work on citizen advocacy is informed through focus groups and issue forums. During these sessions, a cross-section of citizens from each municipality come together to identify top local issues that need solutions and design advocacy plans to help raise public awareness of these issues. Aside from gathering valuable information about citizen priorities in each municipality, the focus groups are a collaborative and democratic process. IRI also enables local citizens committees to organize issue forums that bring together citizens and local elected officials to raise awareness of priority issues of concern and discuss possible solutions to outstanding problems.
IRI also holds workshops for mayors and local officials in communication, constituent outreach and responding to municipal concerns. IRI-sponsored public opinion polls enable municipal governments to gain a more comprehensive understanding of constituent priorities, satisfaction of local services and interactions with city hall. With IRI support, citizen groups and elected officials launch advocacy campaigns to confront issues in the municipalities such as infrastructure, city cleanliness and access to municipal services.
Support to Political Parties and Candidates
Adopted in 2007, Jordan’s Political Parties Law requires that 500 founding members from at least five governorates must be identified for a political party to be able to register, forcing parties to expand their membership into new governorates. Expanding and building national parties by developing platforms and messages that resonate with grassroots voters has been a challenge for many.
To help the parties develop strong organizations with branch structures at the local level, IRI provides assistance on refining national party platforms, and strengthening communication and recruitment techniques. These efforts help the parties effectively project and disseminate national platforms and positions on specific issues to citizens at the local level.
During campaign seasons, IRI organizes campaign workshops and offers consultations to political parties, candidates and campaign teams. Participants develop their skills in the following areas: campaign strategies, use of polling data, campaign management, message and platform development, communications strategies, public speaking and debating, voter identification and targeting and voter turnout techniques.
Public Opinion Research
To inform its programming and improve political party and municipal government’s communication with constituents, IRI uses public opinion research, conducted at the national and municipal levels in partnership with the Middle East Marketing and Research Consultants. Polling data provides decision-makers and the general public with an accurate picture of public opinion concerning political reform, democratization and the performance of elected officials.
