Rasheed for Integrity and Transparency (Transparency International – Jordan) successfully concluded the three phases of the “Ideas Marathon” initiative, for the second generation of sub-grant activity for young men and women in March 2024. This comes within the framework of the “Nazaha” project, which is funded by the European Union and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation, in cooperation with the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs. To develop digital tools to enhance accountability and public participation, the participants received training in developing a business model, developing digital tools, developing accountability and public participation tools, as well as financial management principles and developing business plans.
Participants in the “Ideas Marathon” were 30 young men and women from different governorates of the Kingdom, as it was implemented in three training phases (55 training hours). The topics discussed during these phases varied, as the first phase included the implementation of interactive activities related to team building and enhancing interaction and communication between participants. Public participation and enhancing community accountability, where work was identified to identify the issues faced by the community and research their solutions in a participatory manner and the participation of everyone in this process. In addition, the training included how to digitize participation and accountability tools to make the communication and participation process more effective and inclusive.
The second phase focused mainly on project development and writing. During this phase, participants analyzed the issues and challenges they face in their communities and formulated creative and innovative solutions to those issues. They were then trained on how to write developmental project proposals aimed at improving the current situation and enhancing community participation.
The third phase included training on the principles of financial management, teaching participants how to effectively manage financial resources, analyze costs and prepare appropriate budgets for proposed projects. They were also trained to understand the basics of financial accounts and reports, ensuring that financial resources are used sustainably and transparently. This phase contributed to building the participants’ abilities to manage projects independently and successfully, and enhanced their skills in financial planning to achieve the desired goals.
The Executive Director of Rasheed Abeer Madanat, said: “The importance of this initiative is to empower our dear young men and women to actively contribute to the development of digital tools that promote accountability and community participation. These tools are not just technologies, but living tools that promote transparency, fight corruption, and contribute to empowering citizens in the decision-making process and managing resources effectively.”
