As the regional context continues to evolve following developments in Syria, the perspectives of host and displaced communities  on their priorities and views about their future are vital.  

Convened under the umbrella of the ‘Strengthening Regional Policy Dialogue and Partnerships on Solutions’ regional project; UNDP, the Jordan INGO Forum (JIF), and the Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP) co-organized the event “Prospects and Opportunities for the Future: Insights from Syrian and Host Community Voices across Jordan” on 8 December 2025.  

Bringing together more than 115 representatives from government, donor agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector, UN agencies, and Syrian and Jordanian communities, the event created a platform to hear community perspectives as well as present forward-looking reflections on opportunities to strengthen socio-economic resilience. 

Opening remarks by UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States and the United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Bureau, as co-leads of the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP), alongside RDPP and JIF underscored importance of placing affected communities at the center of policy discussions and strengthening collaboration across governments, civil society, development partners, and the private sector. Speakers highlighted the need to move beyond short-term responses by investing in sustainable livelihoods, education, resilience, and community-driven approaches that can support both refugees and host communities. 

Moderated by JIF, the first panel, “Syrian Voices on the Way Forward,” placed Syrian refugees and Jordanian host community representatives at the center of the conversation. Participants shared their experiences and aspirations, reflecting on challenges related to education, employment, healthcare, and social cohesion. The discussion reinforced the importance of listening directly to affected communities and ensuring that their priorities inform future planning, research, and policy development. 

The second high-level panel, moderated by UNDP, brought together H.E. Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, European Union Ambassador to Jordan; Dr. Wissam Rabadi, Jordan Strategy Forum; Mahmoud Alkaraki, Jordan River Foundation; and Abdulhafez Moufak, Syrian International Business Association (SIBA). Together, they explored how community perspectives and evidence can better inform responsive policy, strengthen economic inclusion, and support development solutions for both refugees and host communities. Discussions highlighted the importance of greater collaboration across sectors, stronger private-sector engagement, opportunities to deepen economic cooperation between Jordan and Syria as part of a broader vision for regional resilience and recovery, and the importance of empowering local organizations and communities to shape evidence and participate in decision-making.