Civil society, donor dynamics, and climate justice in Jordan: Navigating aid for inclusive climate action

Abstract

Motivation: Civil Sociey Organizations (CSOs) are increasingly recognized as key actors in delivering inclusive climate action in the Global South. This article examines how Jordanian CSOs engage with climate policy through a justice-oriented lens while navigating donor priorities and dependencies. Approach and methods: Drawing on 17 semi-structured interviews from the "SharaKa" initiative, the study analyses how CSOs frame climate justice, influence national policy, and adapt to the constraints of donor-driven agendas. Findings: While donors promote inclusive participation, their funding modalities and reporting requirements often depoliticize climate action and limit grassroots influence. Jordanian CSOs, however, display significant agency by reframing donor discourse, building coalitions, and embedding justice concerns into local policy debates. The findings highlight the need for donor practices that recognize CSOs as strategic partners rather than serving contractors and for national climate governance frameworks that institutionalize justice-based approaches. Policy implications: Donors should adopt flexible funding mechanisms that enable context-specific action; strengthen horizontal partnerships with CSOs; and support participatory policy processes that elevate marginalized voices in climate governance.