Zikra for Popular Learning

Project begin: 04/04/2007

To face social, economic and environmental challenges in Jordan, Zikra encourages citizens to drive change by reconnecting with ancestral knowledge.

Leading organisation: Zikra for Popular Learning

The country where the team is based: Jordan

Theme: Biodiversity, Education for Sustainable Development, Indigenous and Local Knowledge

Sub-themes: Agriculture, Climate change, Environment, Environment, Food and food security, Gender equality and women's empowerment, Knowledge sharing, Knowledge sharing, Natural resource management, Natural resource management, Poverty and inequality reduction, Poverty and inequality reduction, Resources management, Sustainable lifestyles, Sustainable lifestyles, Sustainable living

Selection: 2020/2021

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Wheat producers, Ghor Al Mazra, Jordan

Cooking class

Capacity-building workshop to encourage sustainable and inclusive development

Cooking class to learn how to make Shrak, traditional bread

Zikra for Popular Learning began in the small village of Ghor Al Mazra, Jordan. Today, it covers 4 regions: Amman, Al-Karak, Al-Salt and Irbid. By launching this inclusive learning project, Lama Khatieb and Rabee Zureikat help local populations reconnect with their identity, culture and ancestral know-how to find sustainable solutions to today’s problems.

To achieve this, the association explores and collects local knowledge about managing the land and water resources, which has enabled communities to live in these regions for thousands of years. This knowledge is shared with local communities to reduce the rural-urban gap and enable citizens to reappropriate their heritage.

Ancestral know-how for new opportunities

Small wheat producers are often discouraged as small-scale operations aren’t financially viable. Zikra helps them highlight their expertise and sell directly to local restaurants and bakeries. The team also organises capacity-building workshops to encourage students and teachers to embrace sustainable, inclusive development. The Story of Food Experience brings together tourists, local artisans and producers to promote local foods and provide an additional source of income.

Committed to ethical and responsible financing, Lama Khatieb and Rabee Zureikat create self-funding programmes and are always looking for new donors and partners.

Would like to do your bit to keep this ancestral knowledge alive?