11. The Role of Community-Based Associations in Social Protection: Jordan as a Case Study
- Author:
- Mohammed Bani Amer
- Publication Date:
- 09-2024
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Arab Reform Initiative (ARI)
- Abstract:
- In Jordan, the contributory and non-contributory social protection systems are some of the most important tools of the state and society for promoting social cohesion and addressing the risks that people face in their lives, such as sickness, death, old age, disability, and unemployment. The legislative structure in Jordan attempts to organize the work of all parties concerned with social protection through social security laws and national relief funds, in addition to regulating the roles, objectives, competencies, scope, and governance of charitable associations, which are one of the tools of civil society, to enhance the country’s social protection and strengthen its resilience to risks. This paper discusses the role of cooperatives and community-based associations in Jordan in strengthening the social protection system, examining the positive aspects and challenges through research questions based on the following key questions: Are these associations effective, efficient, and able to fulfill their vision, mission, and goals, or are they ineffective and suffering from issues and challenges that make their role marginal and ineffective? Does the existence of these associations and their encouragement by the state harm the official social protection system, and encourage people to evade the official social protection system and contribution payments given the existence of other forms of protection; and does this result in the state abdicating its responsibilities to these other entities, regardless of whether they create or reproduce negative phenomena and dynamics? This paper emphasizes that reaching a scientific judgment on the NGO sector, in general, requires a comprehensive study of a representative sample of all sectors and types of these associations, taking into account their size, the scope of their work, sources and amount of funding, work strategies, outreach, and other factors. This paper uses the methodology of qualitative analysis and addresses this issue by defining its scope to include two associations: Tkiyet Um Ali, one of the most important associations in Jordan, is based in the capital Amman and has several activities directly related to strengthening the social protection system in Jordan extending to all governorates; and the Arhaba Charitable Society, located in the outskirts of Irbid governorate in northern Jordan, with a specific geographical scope. These two associations will help us to build perceptions and scientific judgments to enable judging the NGO sector and its effectiveness in promoting and contributing to social protection.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, Community Initiatives, and Social Protection
- Political Geography:
- Middle East and Jordan