COPMENA Methodological approach in connection with stakeholder mapping
The background of waste in Jordan
Waste management in Jordan is an important issue due to the country’s growing population, limited natural resources, and environmental challenges. The Jordanian government, along with various stakeholders, has been working to develop and implement waste management strategies to address these issues. Here are some key aspects of waste management in Jordan:
- Waste Collection: Municipal solid waste collection is the responsibility of the municipalities in Jordan. They organize waste collection services and establish schedules for residential, commercial, and industrial areas- Governmental responsible.
- Waste Segregation: Waste segregation efforts are being promoted in Jordan to separate recyclable materials, organic waste, and hazardous waste from general waste. This allows for more effective recycling and appropriate treatment of different waste types- Governmental responsible.
- Recycling: Jordan has been increasing its focus on recycling initiatives. There are recycling centers and facilities that handle materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal. However, the recycling rate in Jordan is relatively low, and there is a need for further awareness and infrastructure development to enhance recycling efforts- Local initiatives.
- Landfills: Landfilling is the primary method of waste disposal in Jordan. The country has several sanitary landfills that adhere to environmental standards. Efforts are being made to improve landfill management practices, such as implementing measures to control leachate and methane emissions- Governmental responsible.
- Waste-to-Energy: Jordan has also started exploring waste-to-energy technologies as an alternative to landfilling. Some waste management projects involve the incineration of waste to generate electricity, reducing the environmental impact of waste disposal and utilizing waste as a resource- Governmental responsible and donors
- Public Awareness and Education: The Jordanian government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community initiatives are actively involved in promoting public awareness and education about waste management. Awareness campaigns, workshops, and educational programs aim to encourage responsible waste disposal practices, waste reduction, and recycling. Academics and local community.
- Legislation and Policies: Jordan has established laws and regulations related to waste management. These include the Law for the Environment, which provides a legal framework for waste management practices and environmental protection. The government continues to work on updating and enforcing regulations to enhance waste management practices- Governmental responsible.
Challenges in waste management in Jordan include limited financial resources, infrastructure constraints, lack of public awareness, and the need for increased collaboration between stakeholders. However, there are ongoing efforts to improve waste management practices and promote a more sustainable approach to waste handling and disposal in the country.
The COPMENA approach is based on strong methodology that realized on several strategical tools; interviews, focused group discussion, in depth interview and questionnaires. In this regards, the COPMENA is a networking project focusing on mitigate the gap between stakeholders in terms of waste management in MENA region. Based on the previous points of waste management in Jordan, COMPENA is led the light on the pillars are involving in the processing of waste management.
- Local government
- NGOs and donors
- Academics
- Local community
- Local initiatives
Each pillar of the above has an involvement through the successful processing of waste in any country as the following;
Pillar | Involvement and participation | Ration of involvement | |||||
Local community | Status of the situation | Context data | Showing gaps | Challenges | Solutions | <90% | |
Governmental body | Policies | Strategies | Data providers | Planning | <50% | ||
NGOs and Donors | Technicality | Development (infrastructure) | implementation | Policies reschedules | Social awareness | International experts | <70% |
Academics
| Scientific based approach | Methodological approach | Acting as evaluators for existing projects | Objective reviews | < 40% | ||
Local initiatives | Understanding the situation but they need power and finance support. | < 50% |
In this context, COPMENA (Cooperation Platform on Energy and Environment) serves as a central hub for coordinating and facilitating stakeholder involvement in waste management in Jordan. The methodology of COPMENA involves investigating the aims, visions, and requirements of each stakeholder group within each pillar of waste management. The objective is to effectively communicate initiatives, projects, and ideas to the appropriate target audience to achieve their waste management goals in Jordan.
COPMENA aims to identify overlapping areas between pillars to identify gaps in existing projects and develop solutions by investigating the intersections. By exploring these overlaps, COPMENA can better understand the challenges and opportunities that arise when different aspects of waste management intersect. This approach allows for a comprehensive and holistic understanding of waste management issues in Jordan.
Moreover, when it comes to new initiatives or projects, COPMENA plays a role in paving the way for investigation into the specific needs of the situation. It accomplishes this by inviting stakeholders from all pillars to a common platform for discussion and collaboration. Through stakeholder mapping and overlapping methodologies, COPMENA ensures that all relevant perspectives are considered, and any gaps or deficiencies in the proposed initiatives are addressed.
Overall, COPMENA serves as a facilitator and catalyst for effective waste management in Jordan by promoting collaboration, communication, and coordination among stakeholders from different pillars. Its methodology allows for a comprehensive understanding of waste management challenges and helps in devising appropriate solutions and strategies to achieve sustainable waste management goals in the country.
The COPMENA methodology utilizes strategic tools to thoroughly investigate and understand the requirements of targeted parties within each pillar. This includes engaging in effective communication with key parties in each pillar and mapping the aims and requirements of these parties with other influential stakeholders across different pillars. Ultimately, COPMENA facilitates the connection between the aims and requirements of each pillar by employing robust strategic tools for data collection and analysis. The accompanying diagram illustrates the concept of stakeholder road mapping in waste management within the COPMENA methodology.
the COPMENA methodology focuses on investigating and understanding the requirements of targeted parties in each pillar and connecting them through strategic tools of data collection and analysis. The diagram y shows a concept of road mapping stakeholders in waste management.
To effectively investigate and understand the requirements of targeted parties and connect them, some strategic tools that could be used are:
- Stakeholder analysis: Identify and analyze the key stakeholders involved in waste management. Understand their interests, concerns, and influence on the decision-making process.
- Surveys and interviews: Conduct surveys and interviews with stakeholders to gather their opinions, needs, and expectations regarding waste management. This can provide valuable insights into their specific requirements.
- Focus groups: Organize focus group discussions involving representatives from different stakeholder groups. This allows for interactive discussions and in-depth exploration of stakeholders’ perspectives.
- Data mapping: Map the aims and requirements of each party, including their goals, challenges, and desired outcomes. Identify commonalities and areas of alignment among different stakeholders to facilitate collaboration.
- Comparative analysis: Compare the aims and requirements of different stakeholders across pillars to identify potential synergies and opportunities for collaboration. This analysis can help in connecting the various stakeholder groups.
- Gap analysis: Assess the existing gaps and challenges in waste management by comparing stakeholders’ requirements with the current state of affairs. This analysis can help prioritize actions and allocate resources effectively.
- Decision support tools: Utilize various tools such as decision matrices, SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), and scenario planning to aid in strategic decision-making and road mapping.
By employing these strategic tools, the COPMENA methodology aims to collect and analyze data effectively, connect the aims and requirements of stakeholders across different pillars, and develop a comprehensive roadmap for waste management that takes into account the needs and expectations of various parties involved.
Centralization Approach
The recent situation is centralization which means the solution oriented without understanding to the solution, which the local communities and local initiatives are the most crucial pillars in the solution approach. However, the centralization approach is focusing on one pillar which is the most of time starting and ending at the governmental body.
Centralization is an organizational approach or structure in which decision-making authority and control are concentrated at the top or in a central authority within an organization. In a centralized approach, key decisions, policies, and strategies are made by a small group of individuals or a central governing body, typically at the highest level of management. Advantages of a centralization approach include:
- Efficiency: Centralization can lead to quicker decision-making and implementation of strategies since the decision-making authority is concentrated in a central body.
- Consistency: Centralization ensures that decisions and policies are consistent across different departments or units within the organization.
- Standardization: It allows for the establishment of uniform procedures and processes, which can enhance operational efficiency and reduce redundancy.
- Control: Centralization provides a greater level of control and oversight to the central authority, enabling them to monitor and direct the activities of the organization.
However, there are also potential drawbacks to a centralization approach, such as:
- Lack of flexibility: Centralization can hinder agility and responsiveness to local or specific needs since decision-making is concentrated in a central authority.
- Reduced autonomy: Departments or units within the organization may have limited autonomy and decision-making power, which can demotivate employees and hinder innovation.
- Slow response time: In a centralized structure, decision-making may take longer as it needs to go through multiple levels of approval.
- Overburdened central authority: The central authority may become overwhelmed with decision-making responsibilities, potentially leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
It’s important to note that the degree of centralization can vary among organizations and may depend on factors such as the organization’s size, industry, culture, and strategic goals. Some organizations may adopt a more decentralized approach, where decision-making authority is distributed among different levels or units, to foster innovation, empower employees, and respond quickly to local needs.
The question that might be asked in this position; what if xxx stakeholders is absent from the governmental framework in solid waste?
In addressing this question, the focus lies on elucidating how COPMENA will promote the active involvement, presentation, and implementation of opportunities and challenges within each pillar. Additionally, it aims to identify the gaps between pillars that can pave the way for effective waste management solutions through the following;
- Policy Alignment (GOV bodies): COPMENA can promote policy alignment and coherence among the pillars of waste management. By identifying gaps or inconsistencies in existing policies, COPMENA can advocate for harmonization to create an enabling environment for waste management solutions that span across multiple sectors, that can be done through interactive discussion, informal interview with local governmental bodies.
- Collaboration and Integration (NGOs): COPMENA can facilitate collaboration and integration among NGOs from different pillars, such as, environmental agencies, and waste management companies. By bringing these diverse perspectives together, COPMENA can identify gaps and synergies, enabling the development of holistic waste management solutions and that can be done through inviting them to international workshops and mini symposium.
- Research and Development (Academics): COPMENA can support research and development efforts focused on waste management technologies, practices, and policies. Through collaborative research projects, COPMENA can identify gaps in knowledge and innovation, paving the way for targeted solutions that address specific challenges across the pillars. In this regard, inviting academics to open discussion on COPMENA platform (copmena.com) and engaging them to attending COPMENA’ seminars. Targeting them will be based on professional platform such as LinkedIn. Posting quotes related to waste management can grantee their availability and fascinating to the discussion sessions.
- Cross-Sectoral Projects and Initiatives (Local initiatives): COPMENA can encourage the development of cross-sectoral projects and initiatives that address waste management challenges holistically. COPMENA can facilitate the creation of innovative solutions that bridge the gaps between pillars. Thus, COPMENA will bring all initiative through the platform in a way of presenting the initiatives (stories of success).
- Local Community Engagement: COPMENA will actively seek to engage with the local communities to gather their stories and insights, particularly regarding solution-oriented approaches to waste management. By listening to and valuing the experiences and ideas of the local population, COPMENA can tap into their knowledge and empower them to be part of the solution. These stories will help shed light on the challenges faced by communities in waste management and highlight innovative approaches they have adopted. By amplifying these local voices and experiences, COPMENA can inspire others and foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among the wider community. This bottom-up approach ensures that the solutions developed by COPMENA are rooted in the local context and reflect the aspirations and needs of the people directly affected by waste management challenges. That will be done through interactive focused group and discussion on the field.
The methodological working in the next stage is;
A. General observation
- Investigating the requirements of each pillar through systematic investigation; strategic tools; framework strategy, and analysis criteria.
- Determining tool of investigating and outline the requirements based on the situation.
- Using social media such as LinkedIn, workshops, focused group, discussion session, lectures, interviews and questioners.
- Collecting data needed and finding the root causes of problems.
- Analyzing data
- Framework the overlapping
- Indicating gaps spots and Identifying areas of improvement.
- Determining tool of investigating and outline the requirements based on the situation.
B. Road mapping analysis
- Observation the most two or three parties in each pillar by studying aim, vision and requirements of the pillars. With alignment to road mapping analysis, it is a strategic planning process that involves visualizing and outlining the steps, milestones, and actions required to achieve a specific goal or vision. It provides a structured approach to navigating complex projects or initiatives by mapping out the key elements, dependencies, and timelines involved.
The process of road mapping analysis typically includes the following steps:
- Define the objective: Clearly articulate the desired outcome or goal that the road map will address. The COPMENA will investigate the objectives of the most two parties in each pillar.
- Identify key components: Break down the objective into key components or elements that need to be addressed between selected parties under related pillar. These components can be milestones, tasks, actions, or key decision points that contribute to the overall goal.
- Assess resources and constraints: Consider the resources required for each component and assess any constraints or limitations that may impact the roadmap.
- Analyze risks and mitigation strategies: Identify potential risks or obstacles that may arise during the implementation of the roadmap.
- Communicate and align stakeholders: Engage relevant stakeholders and communicate the roadmap to ensure alignment, obtain buy-in, and gather feedback. Collaboration and involvement of stakeholders can enhance the success of the roadmap.
Road mapping analysis provides a visual representation of the path towards achieving a specific objective, enabling better planning, resource allocation, and decision-making. It helps in identifying potential roadblocks, prioritizing actions, and ensuring a structured approach to reaching the desired outcome.
The COPMENA plays a crucial role in establishing the expectations and responsibilities of all parties involved in waste management. By outlining the requirements within various pillars, it helps identify areas of common interest as well as potential conflicts. This step-by-step road mapping approach enables effective networking and facilitates the development of sustainable waste management solutions. Whether it’s a public, private, or NGO investment, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the investment’s road map before embarking on any project. The COPMENA serves as a moderator, fostering better comprehension and collaboration among stakeholders.