As part of the second phase of the ICA–EU Partnership on Cooperatives in Development (#Coops4Dev🌏), a newly updated Country Snapshot of Jordan’s Cooperative Sector has been released.

Jordan is home to 1,449 active cooperatives, representing more than 127,000 members, including 74 women‑only cooperatives, a testament to growing women’s engagement in leadership roles. Cooperatives employ approximately 25,000 people, underscoring their role in local development, job creation, and fostering social cohesion.

The snapshot outlines significant legal reforms introduced in 2025, aligning Jordan’s cooperative legislation with ILO Recommendation 193 and the ICA Statement on the Cooperative Identity. These updates strengthen cooperative autonomy, enhance governance, and foster alignment with global cooperative standards. Complementing these legal changes, two new institutions: The Cooperative Development Fund, and The Cooperative Development Institute, have been established to support finance, research, training, and capacity-building initiatives across the sector.

To bring the report to life, the snapshot features case studies of innovative cooperatives such as the Iraq al‑Amir Women’s Cooperative, the Dana and Qadisiyah Local Community Cooperative, the Nabataean Capital Cooperative Association, and the Amman Filmmakers Cooperative. These stories illustrate how cooperatives in Jordan contribute not only to sustainable development and inclusion, but also to cultural preservation and youth innovation.

This snapshot reaffirms the pivotal role that cooperatives play in building a resilient and inclusive social economy. It serves as an essential resource for cooperative stakeholders, development partners, policymakers, and those looking to learn from Jordan’s journey toward cooperative excellence.

Explore the full snapshot here