I. CONTEXT AND STRATEGIC ISSUES FOR THE PROJECT
The AJIR programme (Appui à Jérusalem-Est pour son Identité et sa Résilience) is a 100% social link project: it aims at consolidating social cohesion between populations and territories through support to youth and vulnerable communities. As part of the Vulnerability and Resilience to Crises Strategy, the programme seeks to prevent, or at least mitigate, the effects of conflict. In accordance with France's commitments at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, helping civil society strengthen its capacities is part of France's priority to support nonsovereign actors in order to foster more open and participatory governance models. By including all actors in society, AJIR intends to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
II. OBJECTIVES AND PROJECT CONTENT
In light of the conflict and the chronic crises in East Jerusalem, improving the living conditions of the Palestinian population has been one of the three specific objectives of AFD's intervention framework in Palestine (2016-2020). Today, the geographical and administrative isolation of East Jerusalem as well as the economic and social difficulties faced by its inhabitants make it necessary to improve basic services and infrastructures. Equal access to social and legal services, education and culture can help combat disparities and discrimination - including those between women and men - and promote the social well-being of the Palestinian population.
AJIR' s primary objective is to support the resilience of Palestinians in East Jerusalem. In this context, three priority fields of action have been identified: (i) improving education and cultural services provided to youth, (ii) supporting vulnerable populations, and (iii) fostering the role of civil society and enhancing its capacities. As cross-cutting issues, gender inequalities and environmental challenges will be addressed throughout these three pillars.
Pillar I: Supporting youth through the financing of education and cultural infrastructures
Designed with the overarching goal of contributing to the full emancipation of Palestinian youth, Pillar I will be funding construction or renovation works in order to remove material constraints which prevent the development of quality education and cultural provisions and infrastructures (lack of classrooms, poor premises conditions).
Pillar Il: Meeting the needs of vulnerable populations through fair and equal access to social and legal services
Pillar Il will be dedicated to providing social and legal services to vulnerable populations in order to improve their living conditions. A strong emphasis will thus be placed on social inclusion and professional integration or reintegration of marginalized populations (women, the elderly, people with disabilities. people exposed to violence, etc.).
Pillar Ill: Building civil society capacity
Finally, Pillar Ill will aim to foster civil society organizations (CSO) capacity building, thereby strengthening their role in the implementation of new governance models.
III. STAKEHOLDERS AND OPERATING METHODS
As the contracting authority, NDC will be in charge of the sound implementation of the programme as a whole, including activities related to launching and publishing the three calls for project proposals, pre-selecting projects, contracting with CSOs, monitoring selected projects and issuing technical and financial reports. NDC will also share its expertise in project management with beneficiary CSOs in order to enhance their capacities.
An advisory committee will oversee the implementation of the programme.
IV. COST AND FINANCING
The total cost of the project is €8 million, which will be financed through a grant to NDC.
V. EXPECTED EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT
In line with the SDGs and pursuant to AFD's commitments at both the international and regional levels, AJIR wishes to contribute to strengthening the resilience and social well-being of the Palestinian community in East Jerusalem. By targeting youth and vulnerable populations, the programme aims to consolidate social cohesion. In that respect, education, as a key field of action of the programme, will help enhance social and professional inclusion of all Palestinian women and men in East Jerusalem, As a ripple effect, the provision of quality infrastructures and services will go hand in hand with the capacity building of civil society, thereby creating an environment conducive to inclusive and participatory governance models.