Ahmad is a youth activist from Jordan who is passionate about the rights of people with disabilities and empowering young people in their communities. In recent years he has sought out opportunities that allow young people to express themselves and actively participate in change. One of the most important milestones that helped him achieve this goal was his participation in the Youth Connect programme in 2024.
Ahmad learned about the project through a post on the Naya Community Network's page. He was immediately drawn to the fact that the project welcomed all young people, without exception. As he believed the project’s values aligned perfectly with his own, he submitted his application, marking the start of a rich and impactful experience for him.
During the project, Ahmad was part of a diverse team of ambitious young people. They worked together to evaluate, innovate, and plan initiatives that contribute to solving real community problems. It gave him the opportunity to acquire new skills like strategic thinking, time management, and effective teamwork. What mattered most to him was the feeling that each young person in the group played a key role and that their differences and backgrounds were a reason for their success, not an obstacle.
This experience allowed Ahmad to reach more young people, share his knowledge with them, and encourage them to make positive community changes by leading the Review and Do initiative which advocates for accessibility by keeping public attention on accessibility issues, encouraging more businesses and institution to improve their facilities, following the success in doing ramps and accessible trails.
By the end of the project, Ahmad had developed a broad network of relationships and confidence in his ability to influence and represent youth issues, specifically issues facing young people with disabilities.
Today, Ahmad is proud to be a member of the steering committee within the local Youth Network, which brings together graduates of the Youth Connect programme. This means he can continue supporting and empowering young people, pushing for more inclusive civil participation, where every young person feels they have a real place and a voice that is heard.
He plans to continue his community work and will always strive to create new opportunities for young people, especially by empowering people with disabilities to be active participants in community initiatives. Ahmad believes that change begins when everyone realises that they have a real role and a voice that is heard.
‘My participation in the Youth Connect project added a unique practical experience, through working on field initiatives and gaining direct experience in their implementation.’