Tafilah, May 18 (Petra) — The Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human
Development (JOHUD) on Monday launched the “Just Green Transformation
through Participatory Governance” (JADEITE) project in partnership
with the Greater Tafilah Municipality at the Rummana Camp in the Dana
Biosphere Reserve.

The project highlighted efforts to enhance the participatory approach
in local development and cooperation among stakeholders to support a
just green transition and respond to local community needs through
inclusive and sustainable governance.

JOHUD representative Ahmad Qatamin described the project as “a
strategic” move toward empowering local communities, stressing that a
green transition cannot be achieved without active community
participation.

The project seeks to establish a participatory platform that enables
citizens to engage in development decision-making processes, he
pointed out.

Qatamin said JOHUD is leading the work package focused on developing
participatory governance methodologies, reflecting a commitment to
transparency and building practical models that can be implemented
locally and regionally.

Chairman of the Greater Tafilah Municipality Committee Mohammad
Kreimeen stressed the project’s importance in supporting sustainable
development efforts in the governorate.

He said the initiative offers an opportunity to strengthen
cooperation among the municipality, local communities and
international partners to improve quality of life and develop
services through a sustainable approach.

The concept of a just green transition has become an economic,
environmental and humanitarian necessity amid growing pressures
related to climate change, energy, water, waste management and
pollution, said Kreimeen.

The transition, he pointed out, aims to shift toward environmentally
friendly economic and development models while preserving social
justice, protecting vulnerable groups, creating jobs and ensuring
fair distribution of benefits and responsibilities.

He added that municipalities can play a key role in driving the
transition through smart waste management, renewable energy
expansion, protection of green spaces, support for environmental
investment and sustainable tourism.

The JADEITE project aims to support a just green transition across
the Mediterranean region through the development of a unified and
adaptable participatory governance model that takes into account the
social and institutional characteristics of each partner country.

The project is implemented under the Interreg NEXT MED program,
managed by the Sardinia region in Italy, with participation by
partners in Jordan, Italy, Lebanon, Palestine and Tunisia.

The event included a presentation outlining the project’s objectives
and phases, a discussion session with participants, and a field tour
in Dana Biosphere Reserve showcasing the reserve’s role in supporting
the transition toward a green economy.

Project partners include Tuscany Region in Italy, JOHUD in Jordan,
Oxfam Italy, the Federation of Jezzine Municipalities in Lebanon,
Tulkarm Municipality in Palestine and the University of Sfax in
Tunisia.

The event was attended by officials, representatives of local
institutions, civil society organizations and international partners.

//Petra// NQ