Civic Participation Program

In October 2010, Catholic Relief Services began a 3-year, $18 million USAID-funded project called the Civic Participation program. The goal is to develop Palestinian civil society and enhance population's participation in public life and decision-making. One of the ways the program will achieve this goal is by building up the organizational strength of individual Palestinian organizations by helping then establish new and productive partnerships with other organizations, with Palestinian officials, and with the private sector; by supporting and helping to replicate successful examples of how citizens can get more involved in public decision making; and by supporting efforts for stronger advocacy. To reach this goal, CRS will be interacting with nearly 100 Palestinian nongovernmental organizations and offering them close t0 150 different grants.

Youth Voices for Community Action

Together with our partner, the Middle East Nonviolence and Democracy organization, Catholic Relief Services is implementing another USAID-funded project called Youth Voices for Community Action. The project is organized in six urban centers throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Targeting more than 5,000 youth and community members between the ages of 18 and 25, the project's goal is help young people develop non-violent approaches to resolving conflict within their communities, and assist them in voicing their concerns to local and national leaders.

Catholic Campaign for Peace

The Catholic Campaign for Peace engages Christian, Muslim and Jewish religious leaders and communities in the United States, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. One part of this annually-funded program involves Catholic Relief Services staff hosting delegations from the United States throughout the year so that they can be exposed to the humanitarian and socio-political realities of Israel and Palestine.

The Catholic Campaign for Peace also links young people with peacebuilding initiatives in the United States aimed at raising awareness and advocating for greater support for peace.

Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation - The Urban Voucher Program and In-Kind Assistance to Vulnerable Families

In cooperation with the World Food Program, Catholic Relief Services is currently implementing two 6-month programs. One is the Urban Voucher program, operational in the northern and southern regions of the West Bank. The program provides food vouchers to nearly 5,000 vulnerable families. The vouchers are redeemable at selected stores and can be used to buy dairy and high-protein food products. In addition, to helping families eat healthier food, the project also stimulates local markets.

The second program, also carried out through the World Food Program, is the In-Kind Assistance to Vulnerable Families. This program provides food rations to more than 8,000 vulnerable families, providing food rations in Hebron, Bethlehem and East Jerusalem.