Jerusalem, 28 May 2025 – On Tuesday, 27 May 2025, the NGO Development Center (NDC) signed Grant Implementation Agreements (GIAs) with twenty-one civil society organisations (CSOs) in Jerusalem for a total amount of 1.88 million euros. The signing falls under Pillar II – Service-Based Initiatives for Vulnerable Groups of the “Action for East Jerusalem Identity and Resilience (AJIR)” programme, Phase II, implemented by NDC with funding from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).
The ceremony took place at the Jerusalem Center for Technology and Entrepreneurship (BCITE) with the participation of the Consulate General of France in Jerusalem, AFD, the NDC team, and representatives from the partner CSOs.
Mr. Ghassan Kasabreh, Director of NDC, expressed deep gratitude to the Consulate general of France, AFD, and the French people for their generous and continuous support to the AJIR programme in both phases, with a total funding of EUR 16 million. Phase I concluded at the end of 2024, while Phase II will continue through the end of 2027.
Mr. Kasabreh highlighted the achievements of Phase I, during which NDC supported 20 projects with a total funding envelope of 8 million euros, aiming to enhance educational and cultural opportunities for youth and improve access to basic services for vulnerable groups in Jerusalem. He noted, “Phase I included funding for eight major infrastructure projects, including the renovation and furnishing of the Jerusalem Center for Technology and Entrepreneurship of Al-Quds University in the historic Qasr al-Hamra building, which is hosting today’s GIA signing ceremony.”
In her remarks, Ms. Véronique Sauvat, AFD Director, highlighted France’s continuous support to the Palestinian population and its commitment to support civil society in East-Jerusalem. She praised the strong partnership with NDC in the implementation of both phases of the AJIR programme. She congratulated the CSO partners under Pillar II, whose projects are designed to meet the needs of marginalized Jerusalemites through equitable access to social, legal, cultural, and educational services. She emphasized that the selection of projects was based on clear criteria and involved strong competition, reflecting the high demand and pressing needs of Palestinian CSOs in Jerusalem.
The twenty-one partner organisations are:
- Jerusalemite Youth Cultural Forum
- Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center
- Spafford Children's Center
- Women's Center AlThouri Silwan
- Terra Santa Schools' Central Office - Custody of the Holy Land
- Madaa Palestine for Training and Capacity Building
- Arab Society for Persons with Disability
- Al Saraya Center for Community Services
- Woman Centre / Shu’fat Camp
- Rawdat El Zuhur Al Quds
- College des Freres New Gate & Beit Hanina
- Arab Orthodox Charitable Society
- ACT-Alternative Dispute Resolution & Studies
- Jerusalem Autistic Child Care Organization (JACCO)
- De La Salle Club - Jerusalem
- Arab Orthodox Union Club
- The Palestinian National Theatre (El-Hakawati)
- Khazaaen
- Al Bustan association (Silwan Al Hayat)
- Al Quds University
- Palestine Red Crescent Society Jerusalem
