Community Outreach Unit
“Development Project for Local Initiatives in the West Bank and Gaza Strip”
[Background & Objectives] | [Sites Chosen] | [Training Workshops] | [Advisory Committee]
Background
and Objectives
Based on our
commitment at the Development Studies Programme/Birzeit University to spreading
and deepening concepts of sustainable human development in Palestine and giving
them concrete meaning, and based on our belief that there is an interconnection
between research and theoretical work on the one hand and tangible practical
work in the community, on the other, the Programme established on 3/1/1999 a new
unit called “community outreach unit.” This is an action based unit,
inspired by the studies and research conducted by the Programme. It specializes
in carrying out development projects, especially ones concerned with the
development of the local community and corresponds to the concept of sustainable
human development. The unit works by attracting the largest possible number of
activists and local people and by incorporating them in sustainable local
development.
The first
project that has been carried out by this unit is “The Project for Developing
Local Initiative in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip,” in cooperation with the
United Nations Development Program “UNDP”, and with funding from the
government of Japan. It is for one year from 3/1/1999 through 9/1/2000.
The basic idea
for this project is to support local Palestinian groups in the West Bank and the
Gaza Strip by promoting local initiatives and small local projects. Local groups
are provided with necessary training and some funding to carry out their serious
initiatives relating to a development field. In this way, their self-confidence
is boosted since they are in a position to determine their needs and priorities
and are capable of working to meet these pressing local needs.
What
distinguishes this project from others is that it reinforces local development
but without determining in advance people’s needs in this or that site. No one
is acting as a substitute or a representative for the local community. The
people are the ones who come up with the concept, they are the ones who are
required to put a plan to execute their idea, and finally they are the ones who
actually carry out the project. They also play a central role in the evaluation
process through a series of monthly and quarterly meetings and final conferences
etc. Therefore, the project is not only expected to come up with a group of
small local projects, but also with a large number of a sustainable local cadre
with both theoretical and practical development experience.
Finally, the
project will be executed by a team consisting of: project coordinator, project
coordinator field assistant for the Gaza Strip, field coordinator for mid and
southern West Bank, field coordinator for the northern West Bank, media
coordinator, and a trainer.
Project’s
Objectives
Based on the
above, the project aims to achieve the following objectives:
To execute
15 local projects in the West Bank and Gaza, which will concretely benefit
thousands of people and make up for an obvious shortcoming not covered by
other institutions, both governmental and non-governmental, especially in
distant locations and among marginalized groups.
To develop
the role of local institutions in serving the local community and to
reinforce people’s support for these institutions and improve attitude to
them.
To
establish a network of relations between local institutions and to upgrade
cooperation and coordination among them.
To train a
sustainable cadre of institutional workers with practical experience and
adequate training to play an effective role in local development.
To attract
large numbers of local residents to participate in the development process
and to integrate the concept of sustainable human development in the local
development thinking through local initiatives.
To spread
the concepts of sustainable human development as widely as possible among
the public and in a tangible way.
To
encourage local initiatives in the local Palestinian society by highlighting
these initiatives and publicizing the successful ones.
How
Sites Were Chosen
The fifteen
sites to be covered by the project were chosen according to the following
criteria:
An
advisory committee was established consisting of 15 people widely
knowledgeable in the field of local development and representing a
number of governmental and non-governmental organizations.
The
advisory committee has established a set of criteria for choosing the sites
to be included in the project.
75 sites
have been chosen in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and information has
been gathered from these sites through a questionnaire. On average, five
sites were chosen from each region.
The
advisory committee met again to choose 15 sites out of the 75 recommended
sites.
Training
Workshops
 |
A
training Programme for Unit Members |
Three training
workshops were organized for the field coordinators and other unit members. The
aim of these workshops was to deepen the participants’ understanding of this
project and to develop their abilities to reach and deal with local groups. The
first day of training, conducted by Dr. Nader Said, focused on concepts of human
development and the way they inform the philosophy and objectives of the
project. The second day, conducted by Dr. Leila Al-‘atshan, focused on means
of communication with people and ways of empowering them. The third day was
about strategic planning and was conducted by Badr Al-A’raj.
|
A
Training Programme for the Sites |
The Programme
organized ten training workshops in the locations that were chosen by the
advisory committee. The training was done by Dr. Leila Al-‘Atshan. Some
of the locations of these workshops are:
North
Gaza Region—The Bedouin Village
On 7/14/1999 a
training workshop was held in the Bedouin Village. It was attended by more than
300 residents of the village, among whom was the engineer Ahmad Tawfiq Baroud,
head of the Environment Department in the north Gaza region. The workshop was
held in a house under construction. The training commenced at about 9:30 a.m.
and lasted until 3:30 p.m.; it was conducted by Dr. Leila Al-‘atshan, who is a
project consultant as well. She noticed that there was a communication problem
among the trainees; therefore, she taught them some means of effective
communication, then some exercises were done. A discussion followed about the
available resources in the village, the obstacles facing the residents,
and the activities they had carried out to improve their conditions. The session
culminated in dividing the trainees into groups; each group designed a plan to
execute a project in the village. After that the needs and priorities of the
village were discussed.
The
participants were representative of different groups in the village, including
representatives from the Village Development Society including the chairperson;
the head and members of the local committee, which has become a follow up
committee for the water issue; and village notables, intellectuals, enthusiastic
youth, a woman activist, and a female engineering student. All emphasized that
this was the first time that they had ever taken part in such a training and
that this is the first time that men and women work together, since the
villagers are so conservative that the elections of the society were limited to
men only.
The day prior
to the workshop, a meeting took place with the engineer Jamal Baghdadi, who is
prominent in the Ministry of Housing, which is the ministry supervising the
process of transferring the Bedouin residents from their original place of
residence to the Bedouin Village, established in 1997. He provided us with
useful information that helped us understand the “story” of this village.
On 7/22/1999 a
meeting was held, attended by a small number of people, to discuss the work plan
in the village. The following suggestions were made:
establishing a
vocational center for girls. The society and a number of women will present a
written detailed plan about the importance of such a project, the possibilities
of its execution and success, and its costs. This kind of center can arrange for
a number of vocational courses. It can play an important role in strengthening
women’s economic power and preparing them for work and increase the income of
many families etc. The center can also be a base to activate %50 of the village
residents (the women’s sector), especially that it is a completely neglected
sector,by organizing a number of educational courses for women.
Holding an
open meeting between the residents of the Bedoin Village and the Ministry of
Housing and the Ministry of Local Affairs. The former has given its preliminary
consent.
Holding an
open meeting between the residents and the Ministry of Environment to discuss
the issue of sewers and environmental pollution.
Organizing a
training workshop for those responsible for the society and the local committee
about effective communication and the way to work as a team, strategic planning,
and evaluating and promoting the successes they have had so far.
Helping the
residents reach funding institutions, both governmental and non-governmental,
and working on attracting these institutions (as much as possible) to the
Bedouin Village to study its needs and provide for them.
Continuing the
organized media campaign about the problems and needs of the Bedouin Village.
Involving
village representatives in the quarterly meeting of the Gaza Strip area and
inviting various institutions to attend the meeting to help in the networking
process.
Following up
on the preliminary promises made by the society’s and local committee’s
representatives regarding the representation of women in the administrative
board of the society and the local committee.
The
Hebron Region—Al-Samou’
A training
workshop was held on 7/26/99 on the premises of the Samou’ Charitable Society.
It was attended by 26 people, 19 of whom ……
The majority
work in the Samou’ Charitable Society and in the traditional rug project
sponsored by the Society. The workshop was attended by the head of the Samou’
Society, and representatives of CPR program for the rehabilitation of the
disabled. The discussion focused on the needs of Al Samou’s local institutions
and on the traditional rug project.
Al-Samou’s
Charitable Society has received a grant from the Welfare Association to support
the traditional rug project. Provided that the Programme is satisfied with what
is going in Al-Samou’, the following suggestions were made:
contributing
to solving the problem of marketing the traditional rug, whether by organizing a
course on marketing or a media campaign about the distinctive qualities of the
traditional rug and the importance of supporting it.
activating the
center for the rehabilitation of the disabled and contributing to solving the
administrative and financial problems faced by the center.
organizing
workshops about ways to cooperate with and to help local institutions and about
ways to overcome family obstacles and seasonal work.
organizing a
workshop about early marriage.
developing the
parents’ council in Al-Samou’
helping the
local club overcome some obstacles, including financial ones, by seeking aid
from concerned organizations or by developing the skills of local members.
supporting the
efforts to solve the environmental problems facing Al-
Samou’, where there is a high percentage of cancer caused by the chemical
radiation from the Demona reactor and the Israeli chemical factories in Al-Naqab.
The residents have initiated some steps that need to be supported.
supporting the
efforts of residents to solve the problem of overcrowding in schools. It is
possible to address the Ministry of Education and to encourage the residents to
do so.
developing the
agricultural sector by encouraging agricultural societies to pay attention to
Al-Samou’, especially that agriculture is considered a main source of income
for that region.
The
Bethlehem Region: Al-Khas and Nu’man Village
A training
workshop was held between 10:00 a.m and 3:00 p.m on 7/30/1999 on the premises of
Al-Fardous School in the village. It was attended by 20 people, including the
head of the village council. Based on this workshop, the following suggestions
were made:
Supporting the
project “Center for Rural Development” since there is much enthusiasm and
readiness among the residents, who are willing to contribute money, effort, and
expertise.
Organizing a
child festival, donations will be the main source of funding. This will be the
first activity for the center.
Organizing
courses and campaigns to raise awareness concerning the early marriage
phenomenon.
Inviting the
Ministry of Agriculture and other agricultural institutions to develop the
agricultural sector in this fertile region, which is threatened by the Israelis.
Organizing a
literacy course.
Using the
proposed center to organize vocational courses for women.
Inviting the
agricultural relief committees to open agricultural roads in the region.
Inviting the
medical relief committees to activate the proposed health center since Pecdar
has approved the project provided that there is someone who would be responsible
for the center since the ministry of health is incapable of that right now.
The
Toulkarem Region: Nour Shams Camp
A training
workshop was held on Friday 8/7/1999 at the premises of the women’s center in
the Nour Shams camp. It started at 10:30 a.m. and lasted until 4:00 p.m. It was
attended by 23 of the camp’s residents: 8 women and 15 men. The first part of
the workshop was attended by representatives of local newspapers and the Voice
of Palestine.
Based on this
workshop, the following suggestions were made:
Obviously Nour
Shams Camp is not exactly a marginalized locale (especially compared to other
places). Therefore, it was suggested that our work in the camp should be with a
marginalized group, especially the disabled, the elderly, or children (in that
order of priority). It was suggested that we help the residents implement the
project of equipping and developing the disabled center. For this purpose, the
residents were asked to prepare a clear plan about this proposed project.
Supporting the
residents in the campaign they have started months ago to solve the problem of
pollution and disease caused by Wadi Al-Zoumer. In this context, it is possible
to push towards developing coordination between the service committee in the
camp and the rest of municipal and local councils hurt by the wadi (such as
‘Anabta Municipality, the municipal council of Beet Leed, and that of Bal’a).
Supporting the
residents in their attempt to receive funds to implement some of the vital
projects mentioned above.
Organizing a
campaign in the camp to face the problem of dropping out of school.
Organizing a
training course for those active in various local institutions about
administrative skills, development, planning, and lobbying etc.
Nablus
Region: Beet Hasan Village
A training
workshop was held on Friday 8/13/1999 at a school in Beet Hasan village, which
is located in the Nablus region. The workshop started at 10: 00 a.m. and lasted
until 3:30 p.m. It was attended by 25 men.
Based on this
workshop, the following was suggested:
The main
project we can support is that of reviving the Charitable Nasreyeh Society
because it used to carry out a variety of activities such as training courses
for women, kindergartens, cleaning etc.
Another option
is that of establishing a youth cultural center or club. What is required of us
is to help the residents obtain a permit by going to the Ministry of Sports and
Youth, and to help them rent a place and supply it with the necessary equipment.
Considering
the high costs required by the project of establishing a health center, the
participants agreed that it would be better to develop the existing Medical
relief clinic so that it has a resident doctor all the time (as before). We can
coordinate with the Medical Relief to encourage them to improve their services
in the Nasareyeh area.
It is possible
to open a communication channel with the Ministry of Agriculture and encourage
them, either by direct invitation or through media pressure, to focus on the
Beet Hasan area by providing the farmers with the services they need.
Work can be
done to vitalize the women’s sector in Beet Hasan, whether by asking women’s
groups to work there, by organizing lectures and training workshops, or by using
the society or club we are going to support to activate women (by, for instance,
appointing one or two days a week for women’s activities).
It was
suggested that the Development Studies Programme organize a training workshop on
the problem of marketing agricultural produce or the Palestinian farmer and
marketing and competition problems. This is a problem suffered by many villages
whether in the north such as Beet Hasan, or in the middle such as Beet Daquoa,
or in the south such as Al-Samou’.
Pressuring the
Ministry of Public Works to carry out its responsibilities in the region and
help its residents to face winter.
The Advisory Committee
An advisory
committee for the project was established and it consists of 15 people
experienced in the fields of development and local communities. Eight of them
are residents of the Gaza Strip and seven reside in the West Bank. Five work as
general directors in various Palestinian National Authority ministries, the
other ten work in non-governmental organizations. Some are university professors
and specialists.
The first meeting of the advisory
committee was held in the West Bank on 3/5/99 in the Development Studies Programme -
Ramallah, and in the Gaza Strip on 5/26/99 . The project was met with much
enthusiasm by the members, who have high hopes for it. According to them, this
project represents a new experiment which can be developed through bigger
projects in the future. These projects will have far-reaching implications since
they will raise the level of people’s initiative and encourage local
institutions to cooperate among themselves to develop the local community. This
will not only win the people a much-needed local project, but will also give
them a unique development experience that they will gain through active
involvement. Another meeting of the advisory committee was decided will take
place in Gaza on 6/26/1999 to choose the sites for the project.
Questionnaire
Thus, the
field coordinators went to the field armed with the necessary training, with a
document outlining the criteria that they need to consider, and with a
comprehensive questionnaire which is the basis for any interview to be conducted
with a local activist or a local institution.