Project Overview:
The Community Development & Continuing Education Institute implemented the project “Our Voice” in the West Bank over three years (2021-2023) in partnership with the German Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Foundation. The project aims to enhance youth participation in public life using the “learning through community participation” approach. Youth groups design and implement initiatives for the benefit of the local community, especially marginalized groups, in the following areas:
- Public health and pollution.
- Public services at the local government level (municipalities and village councils).
- Youth representation and participation in public life and the job market.
- Arts and culture.
Project Duration: Three years / 2021-2023, executed in three stages.
Funded by: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Foundation, Germany.
Lead Partner: Palestine Ahliya University.
Local Project Partners:
- Shuyukh Youth Council
- Tuqu’ Youth Council
- Social Accountability Committee / Beit Fajjar
- Social Accountability Committee / Beit Ummar
- Ibda’ Centre for Culture and Arts / Dheisheh Camp.
- Al-Finiq Center / Aroub Camp
- Majd Institute for Community Development / Jenin Camp
- Na’am Theater
- Nibras Youth Generations Association
- Jericho Cinema Club
- Inaad Theater
Project Outputs:
- Implementation of 10 community initiatives over three years addressing local needs related to the project’s core areas, such as enhancing youth participation in public life (economic, political, and social), environment, culture, positive social practices, and other relevant topics.
- Implementation of three capacity-building programs benefiting 11 grassroots groups and Institutes. Components include individual and institutional capacity building, planning, internal system development, media and social media usage, digital production, and other topics derived from the community needs assessment program.
- Development of guides for volunteer management and the design and implementation of community initiatives, disseminated to partners.
- Enhancement of communication channels and dialogue between community organizations, youth, and decision-makers to effectively engage youth in public life for positive change.
