ARIJ and PPI Partners introduced to Hebron newly elected municipality Mayor

Bethlehem, February 21, 2013:- Researchers of the Good Governance Department(“GG”) at the Applied Research Institute Jerusalem (ARIJ) and their partners AMAN and Integrity Action, held an introductory meeting with the new Mayor and municipal employees of Hebron. as part of the Pro-Poor Integrity (PPI) Program in Hebron City.

This meeting came as part of the GG Department efforts to connect with the new elected municipal council in order to establish long-term partnership within the scope of PPI and beyond.

Pro-Poor Integrity (PPI) Program uses a social accountability approach to improve the way services are delivered, especially to the poor and most marginalized in Hebron. PPI’s approach is a community driven, collaborative problem-solving approach, focusing on integrity problems and solutions in public service delivery. PPI’s approach focuses on building capabilities, increasing responsiveness, increasing accountability and collecting evidence in public service delivery.

“We are all aware that a stronger partnership between Hebron and PPI Program will only lead to stronger impact on the ground for local community of Hebron” said Rasha Alyatim ARIJ PPI Program Coordinator 

The PPI program partners ARIJ, AMAN, Integrity Action, Hebron Municipality Mayor and employees met together to discuss the PPI program in Hebron. PPI approach and activities for the past three years and their further plans for the remaining duration of the program have been tackled in this meeting.

This meeting comes as an acknowledgement from PPI partners to highlight the vitality for a strong partnership and a collaborative relation between the new Municipal Council and the PPI program. The meeting spanned several topics; from the water service in Hebron -the primary concern of PPI in Hebron at this time- to other municipal services and accomplishments.

The Mayor welcomed the partnership and the joint work to be done to improve service delivery standards in Hebron. After the meeting was finished, Mr. Yahya Natsheh Public Relations Director of Hebron Municipality hosted PPI partners in a tour visiting two impressive Hebron Municipality facilities; Hebron Recreation Center and Korea Palestine Center. PPI partners were suitably impressed and proud of having such facilities in the Palestinian city of Hebron