Celebrating Jane Jacobs in the Local Community: Celebrating Women’s Contributions Across the Arab Region

The third edition of the “Celebrating Jane Jacobs in the Local Community” initiative took place in Amman from 6 to 8 August, bringing together women from across the Arab region who are making meaningful contributions to their local communities. The initiative was organized with the support of the Regional Center for Energy and Climate Justice at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

The initiative celebrates women whose work and engagement contribute to positive change at the local level, while highlighting the diversity and potential of community-based initiatives across the Arab region.

This year’s edition attracted numerous applications and inspiring stories from across the region. Over three days of discussions and exchanges, participants from Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon shared their experiences, initiatives and perspectives on community engagement and local change.

The jury recognized the exceptional work and commitment demonstrated by the participants, whose experiences reflected both the diversity of challenges facing local communities and the creativity of the responses developed by women across the region.

The initiative also highlighted the importance of creating spaces where women’s contributions can be recognized and their experiences shared. While many of these stories remain little known beyond their immediate communities, they demonstrate the significant role women play in shaping and strengthening their societies.

Through “Celebrating Jane Jacobs in the Local Community,” the Friedrich Ebert Foundation seeks to highlight these contributions, amplify women’s voices and draw attention to the local initiatives and experiences that are contributing to positive change across the Arab region.