Amid sweeping global and regional challenges, the partnership between the European Union (EU) and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan continues to deepen. In 2025, as Jordan pushes forward a bold modernization agenda, the EU has reaffirmed its unwavering support to bolster the country’s public administration. This renewed cooperation aims to foster a governance system that is not only more efficient and accountable but also responsive to citizens’ needs, transparent in its operations, and dynamic enough to meet the evolving expectations of its people.
Strategic Partnership for Reform
The Framework for Public Sector Modernization
Jordan’s journey toward modernizing its public sector is anchored in a comprehensive reform blueprint—the Public Sector Modernisation Roadmap—aligned with the country’s Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV) and the Political System Modernisation Plan. These documents map the transformation Jordan aims to achieve by 2029, setting out priorities for strategic planning, enhanced transparency, accountability, and inclusive policy-making.
The EU has been an active partner in this effort, providing financial, technical, and advisory assistance to ensure that reform is not only conceptualized but effectively implemented.
“The EU reiterates its support to the public sector reforms, and recognises the pivotal role the civil society plays in co-shaping the Public Administration reform, as well as the Economic Modernisation Vision at large,”
an EU representative stated, emphasizing the importance of collaboration at every level of society.
NAZAHA: A Pillar of Integrity and Cooperation
One notable milestone in 2025 was the National Dialogue
“Towards a Strategic Partnership with Civil Society in Developing Public Administration in Jordan (2026–2029),”
hosted by Al Hayat Center – RASED. This event, organized under the EU and Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) co-funded NAZAHA project, aimed to build institutional integrity and foster public trust.
NAZAHA has become synonymous with enhanced transparency within Jordan’s governance structures. Through strategic partnerships and active engagement with civil society, the initiative has served as a blueprint for inclusive and evidence-based reform.
Tangible Impact: Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening
Training and Empowerment of Civil Servants
A core component of the EU’s support has centered on capacity-building for Jordan’s public servants. With over 800 staff from Human Resource and Institutional Development Units trained under EU-supported programs, there has been a notable upskilling within the public sector. The EU has also offered technical expertise through EU twinning support measures, including partnerships aimed at strengthening Jordan’s Audit Bureau’s oversight role.
This collaborative approach to capacity building is instrumental for Jordan’s drive toward an efficient bureaucracy.
“The civil servants are at the building bricks of such complex reform endeavour,”
noted a senior EU advisor, reiterating that well-trained personnel form the backbone of any sustainable reform process.
Institutional Reform and Modernization
The EU’s contributions extend beyond training programs. Through targeted twinning projects, Jordanian institutions benefit from the knowledge and regulatory frameworks of EU member states. These programs help Jordanian organizations adopt best practices, optimize workflow, and introduce digital tools to streamline services. Such efforts are supported by financial grants, with €15 million specifically dedicated to “Improving Integrity and Accountability in Jordanian Public Administration” at both central and local government levels.
“These grants will contribute directly to supporting economic reforms, the education strategy and increase job opportunities for young people, while improving the quality of technical and vocational training,”
said H.E. Nasser Shraideh, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, underlining the multifaceted benefits of EU assistance.
Governance and Accountability: Achievements and Milestones
Successes in Transparency and Integrity
Jordan’s strides in fighting corruption and ensuring integrity in public administration have been significantly aided by EU-backed analysis and evaluation. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), partnered with the Jordanian Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (JIACC) under the EU’s facilitation, delivered a comprehensive Public Governance review and Integrity Study. These efforts have helped solidify policy frameworks for integrity—yielding a tangible result in 2023 when Jordan was removed from the EU’s grey list of non-cooperative jurisdictions, thanks partially to compliance improvements supported by EU advisory.
Legal and Institutional Enhancements
Underpinning this momentum are legislative reforms. Jordan has amended laws to strengthen access to information, embed transparency as a guiding principle, and institutionalize checks and balances. Policy recommendations from the OECD Public Governance Review continue to direct the evolution of the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms at all administrative levels.
“The positive amendments to the law can now be harnessed to reinforce information disclosure mechanisms and institutional frameworks for oversight,”
commented an OECD governance specialist, highlighting the importance of these legal reforms.
Building Inclusive Institutions
The EU’s support for Jordan’s reform agenda has also prioritized inclusivity—both gender and youth are central to current policies. Dedicated funds support mentorship and job placement for young people, while ongoing projects strive to make institutions more responsive to the requirements of diverse demographic groups. These efforts are closely monitored to ensure that the principles of good governance—transparency and accountability—are foundational to all major reforms.
Looking Forward: Sustainability and Citizen Engagement
Bridging Government and Civil Society
A hallmark of Jordan’s reform journey has been the deepening partnership between government entities and civil society organizations. By supporting fora such as the National Dialogue and integrating the feedback and expertise of non-state actors, the EU and Jordan aim to ensure that public administration reform remains connected to the everyday realities and needs of citizens.
The capacity-building projects implemented in cooperation with the College of Europe and support to public servants through institutions like the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) further illustrate a multi-level engagement. The European Public Law Organization (EPLO) has also been instrumental, in partnership with the Italian National School of Administration (SNA), in modernizing training approaches and regulatory development within the IPA, which is crucial for equipping civil servants with the skills to deliver better public services.
Citizen-Centric Service Delivery
At the core of these reforms is a new focus on user-oriented digitalization and analytical reforms in service processes. The aim is to cut bureaucratic red tape, improve the accessibility of public services, and strengthen citizens’ trust by making state institutions more responsive and reliable.
The robust policy support and strategic planning provided by EU-aligned programs have resulted in public administration methods increasingly tuned to citizens’ needs. Competency-based human resource management, evidence-based policymaking, and adoption of quality standards are some of the practices being systematically introduced across the governmental spectrum.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Navigating Persistent Obstacles
Jordan is not immune to challenges, with regional instability, economic pressures, and high youth unemployment creating hurdles for comprehensive reform. However, the government has remained steadfast in its commitment, rolling out a
“modernization roadmap to make the public administration more responsive to the needs of the citizens,”
a senior Jordanian official confirmed.
Sustaining Reform Momentum
The future success of Jordan’s public administration reform hinges on the sustained application of best practices, ongoing capacity development, and the full engagement of all societal actors—governmental and non-governmental alike. The continued technical and financial backing by the EU ensures the necessary resources to maintain reform momentum, support innovation in governance, and adapt to future challenges as they arise.
As 2025 unfolds, the partnership between the EU and Jordan stands as a remarkable example of international collaboration for sustainable development. The reform of Jordan’s Public Administration—driven by a vision of efficiency, accountability, and inclusivity—serves as a beacon for the entire region. Through targeted capacity-building, legislative upgrades, civil society engagement, and a robust monitoring framework, the foundations for a modern and trusted public sector have been set. While challenges persist, the achievements to date highlight not just the progress already made but the promise of a future where governance truly delivers for all Jordanians. The EU’s ongoing commitment ensures that Jordan’s public institutions are well-positioned to meet both present and future needs, reinforcing the country’s standing as an example of resilience and reform in a complex world.
