SIPP's 2026 Projects Supporting Peace and Cooperation
Projects in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank involving Israelis and Palestinians
Supporting grassroots initiatives that demonstrate the deep commitment Israelis and Palestinians have to peaceful coexistence
Women Speaking Hebrew
This program, administered by Israeli NGO Lissan, focuses on removing the daily language barrier experienced by Palestinian women from East Jerusalem, by providing practical, relevant, and culturally appropriate Hebrew language courses and materials. Lissan seeks to advance gender and linguistic justice in the region.
The program will strengthen Hebrew proficiency in real-life contexts, expand access to cultural and civic opportunities, and foster dialogue between Palestinian and Israeli community members.
This program is a natural extension of Lissan’s flagship project, which serves 500-600 women annually and has a network of over 3,500 alumni. The model is designed for future cohorts.
Challenge NGO
This bilingual, cross-cultural educational program brings together Israeli and Palestinian children for creative arts and English learning, using ecological themes such as water stewardship and recycling as the basis for art projects. It is operated by the Israel NGO Challenge, which is dedicated to “building a joint future for all in our region.”
The cohort includes 15-20 Israeli and Palestinian children (ages 6–12) from neighboring but disconnected communities of Tzur Hadassah (Israel) and Husan (Palestinian West Bank). The program consists of 16-18 bi-weekly sessions.
The program builds regular, positive contact between Israeli and Palestinian children; strengthens confidence in English and creative arts; fosters an understanding of local ecology, and improves cross-community empathy for both the children and their families.
Challenge NGO
This pilot initiative from the Israeli NGO Challenge teaches 20 Israeli and Palestinian women impacted by conflict to create marketable crafts using sustainable techniques like natural dyeing and up-cycling recycled/natural materials. The goals are income generation, building confidence, and fostering cross-cultural solidarity.
20 women will complete the training, with at least 70% reporting improved self-confidence. The group will produce a line of eco-crafts for public exhibition, reaching an estimated 150-250 people.The project aims to form a self-sustaining women’s cooperative that generates income through sales. It is part of the broader Path of Hope and Peace (PoHAP) framework, strengthening its ecosystem of cooperation.
EMDR 4 Peace
EMDR 4 Peace trains Arabic-speaking mental health professionals to use EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy, in order to help heal and ease trauma. The incubator program targets 7-10 Palestinian and Arab Israeli EMDR therapists, providing advanced consultation and mentorship from senior Jewish EMDR consultants. The field currently lacks senior-level EMDR practitioners who are native Arabic speakers — a structural barrier to advancing peacebuilding work. This project will facilitate the creation of a cadre of native Arabic-speaking senior EMDR practitioners to address this gap.
Develop a cohort of senior Arabic-speaking EMDR practitioners, strengthen their advanced trauma treatment skills, and prepare them to become future co-trainers in bi-national programs.
Hebrew Union College
This program, offered by Hebrew Union College, promotes multicultural tolerance and shared society by convening Jewish and Arab educators in Haifa for facilitated dialogue and professional training sessions. It aims to cultivate educators as agents of change, modeling tolerance and mutual respect. The program is accredited by the Israeli Ministry of Education and includes 10 in-person, co-facilitated encounters for mutual dialogue, local study tours, and training in pedagogical tools to discuss shared society.
This program includes 10 in-person, co-facilitated encounters for mutual dialogue, local study tours, and training in pedagogical tools to discuss shared society and is designed to have a significant "ripple effect" beyond the participating teachers. The project will indirectly impact 560 to 700 students who are involved in classroom discussions led by program graduates focused on core values like tolerance and bias-reduction.
Arava Institute for Environmental Studies
This vital infrastructure program introduces off-grid greywater treatment systems using constructed wetlands to address severe water shortages in Palestinian West Bank communities. It includes social awareness and technical development, promoting integrated cross-border cooperation among Israeli, Palestinian, and potentially Jordanian experts on sustainable water solutions.
The initial phase will be a prototype constructed wetland system for greywater treatment at a family farm, enabling the reclamation of up to 70% of household wastewater for non-potable uses.
Jumpstarting Hope in Gaza
Arava Institute for Environmental Studies & Damour for Community Development
Through the Jumpstarting Hope in Gaza Initiative, SIPP provided a grant for the EmpowHer Project to support three women-owned food businesses in a Gaza refugee camp, advancing empowerment of women and food security. This Initiative is a joint project of Israeli NGO Arava Institute for Environmental Studies and Palestinian NGO Damour for Community Development.
Supporting women-owned businesses and economic independence in challenging circumstances
Strengthening local food production and community resilience
The EmpowHer Project aims to create sustainable job opportunities for women, specifically targeting displaced and vulnerable individuals. This includes generating income that improves the resilience and living standards of the beneficiary families; empowering women to effectively manage their own enterprises, fostering individual agency and economic independence; safeguarding and promoting traditional Palestinian culinary heritage, specifically through the production of traditional foods like Ma'amoul and fermented vegetables; increasing the role of women in supporting their household livelihoods, thereby strengthening the social fabric of their families; and build a support and cooperation network among the women-led projects to foster community resilience.
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