This paper examines the impact of donor-funded Cash for Work (CfW) programs in Jordan on social cohesion in refugee-hosting communities in Jordan. At the time of the study, there were between 0.6 and 0.7 million registered Syrian refugees in Jordan.
Social cohesion is defined as “both the vertical and the horizontal relations among members of society and the state as characterized by a set of attitudes and norms that includes trust, an inclusive identity and cooperation for the common good”. This paper considers four attributes of social cohesion: (1) horizontal trust, defined as outgroup trust between different societal groups; (2) vertical trust, defined as trust between society and the state; (3) sense of belonging to a community (specified from inclusive identity in the above definition); and (4) cooperation for the common good, as the preparedness to engage for the society at large.
The analysis is based on a mixed-method approach, incorporating: (i) semi-structured interviews with 281 CfW participants and non-participants at nine CfW sites across Jordan; (ii) qualitative interviews with 99 neutral observers at the local and national levels; (iii) group discussions conducted in Amman in 2019; and (iv) quantitative analysis of a census of all 1847 participants of one specific CfW program in 2019 and 2020 (the GIZ Post-Employment Survey).
Main findings:
- CfW programs enhanced a sense of belonging to local communities, particularly among Syrian participants, especially women, as well as Jordanian participants and other community members of both nationalities and genders. This was primarily achieved through shared work experiences, which fostered an inclusive identity. The creation of public infrastructure alone did not significantly impact the sense of belonging, underscoring the importance of active participation in CfW programs.
- CfW programs increased horizontal trust among community members, including both participants and non-participants, and across different nationalities and genders. This trust was further bolstered by the economic benefits and skills acquired through CfW programs.
- Community members’ vertical trust in the state and state capabilities developed in a more ambiguous way as people realized that the CfW programs are exclusively financed, and often managed by, international agencies.
- CfW programs contributed positively to local economic development by injecting cash into the community, which was spent and re-spent, creating a multiplier effect. However, the tight labor market in Jordan limited the programs’ impact on overall employment rates.
CfW programs in Jordan have proven effective in enhancing social cohesion, particularly by fostering a sense of belonging and increasing horizontal trust among community members. While the economic benefits are evident, the programs’ impact on vertical trust remains ambiguous. The findings underscore the importance of active participation in CfW programs to achieve social cohesion, rather than relying solely on the creation of public infrastructure.