This project tackles the challenges of managing shared Palestinian-Israeli Water, Energy, Food, and Environment (WEFE) resources. It empowers local communities to address these issues, with a particular focus on equipping youth and women with the skills and knowledge needed to make a difference in their communities and the broader WEFE nexus-tech sector.
The “Harvesting Cross-border Cooperation through Environmental Action” project is an ambitious regional initiative designed to foster collaboration between communities through shared environmental challenges and opportunities within the Water, Energy, Food, and Environment (WEFE) nexus. This project targets community leaders, professionals, and youth, aiming to build capacity, professionalize environmental practices, and empower the next generation of cross-border leaders.
The capacity building component focuses on nurturing a community of WEFE practitioners across the region, including in Palestine and Israel. It includes one-day and five-day workshops for dozens of key actors, including rural community leaders and professionals, and aims to raise awareness of decentralized WEFE solutions. Through this type of actions, provide a platform for dialogue, and the opportunity to showcase successful community-led initiatives and encourage cross-border cooperation.
The 5-day workshops, targeting 35-40 participants per session are designed to train community professionals and farmers in cutting-edge WEFE technologies, such as mobile wastewater treatment plants, atmospheric water generators, and precision agriculture. The activities of this project provide the needed safe space for facilitated, structured discussions on shared water resources, environmental conflicts, and the potential for cooperation. They also create a safe space for participants to express their views and build long-term relationships that fosters and enhances cross border cooperation and joint actions.
Graduates of the capacity building activities get the opportunity to participate in a 14-week intensive training program that we utilize to further deepen participants’ expertise in subjects critical to cross-border cooperation, such as GIS, sustainable agriculture, and wastewater management. Experts joining this intensive component gain the skills needed to lead cross-border WEFE initiatives that benefit their respective communities.
Building on the foundations laid in Component 1, this component aims to establish a regional WEFE nexus strategy for communities in the West Bank and Gaza. A WEFE Working Group of Palestinian, Israeli and regional experts, will meet regularly to develop and propose cooperation strategies that optimize national plans and enhance resource efficiency.
We are also pleased to announce that our team is finalizing the preparatory work for a Regional Platform that will be launched soon and will serve as a venue to facilitate dialogue between 30 experts, helping decision-makers in the region to make informed infrastructure and development decisions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
A Media Taskforce of 30-40 young Palestinians and Israelis will amplify the project’s success through social media, promoting cross-border cooperation and highlighting the fruits of constructive communication to amplify our approach and the results of the project.
