The Palestinian Environmental NGOs Network (PENGON) and the Palestinian Network for Small and Microfinance (Sharakeh) signed grant agreements with the NGO Development Center (NDC) on the 13th of October, 2011. The aim of the grants is to enhance the effectiveness of thematic networks in implementing their roles in providing services for their member organizations. The signing ceremony took place at NDCs headquarter office in Al-Ram in the presence of NDC Sector Development Manager, Areej Daibas, NDC Capacity Building Coordinator, Rasha Salah Eddin, and representatives of the awarded NGOs, including Dr. Ayman Al Rabi from the Palestinian Environmental NGOs Network and Mr. Izz Tawil and Mr. Amjad Masri from Sharakeh.
Within the framework of the grants awarded, the Palestinian Environmental NGOs Network (PENGON) received a grant for USD 32,508 from NDC to conduct capacity building and training for member NGOs in the areas of lobbying and advocacy, revision and activation of the environment law in Palestine through advocacy campaigns and the establishment of a data base and regular newsletters and publications on issues related to the environment in Palestine. The Palestinian Network for Small and Microfinance (Sharakeh), was awarded a grant of USD 29,370 to prepare a code of ethics for member NGOs operating in the field of micro credit, conduct capacity building through training, development of a manual for internal audit procedures, organizing workshops and meetings with stakeholders including relevant public and private sector institutions, and publications of issues related to the microfinance (credit) sector in Palestine.
At the opening of the ceremony, Areej Daibas, NDC Sector Development Manager, explained that thematic network grants provide support for programmatic activities designed to improve services to member organizations of thematic NGO networks and push the level of networking and coordination among NGOs and relevant PA institutions. Thematic grants, during the cycle, focus on the impact of proposed interventions on building relationships and partnerships with the public sector and with other specialized and relevant NGOs. Daibas added that thematic network grants will hopefully help the selected networks to enhance their capacities and services provided to their member organizations, by promoting networking effectiveness, standards and indicators.
Representatives from both awarded organizations stressed the need for this form of funding to thematic networks to improve their internal capacities and enhance their services to member NGOs.
Support to thematic NGO networks is one of the main components of the Sector Development Program (SDP) at the NGO Development Center. It aims at enhancing networking experience in Palestine, by promoting networking effectiveness, standards and indicators.
