Contracting party: World Food Programme (WFP)
Funded By: World Food Programme (WFP)
Partner Organization: Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Ministry of Social Development (MoSD).
Starting Date: 1st May 2025
Ending Date: 30 April 2026
Since 2019, the Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem (ARIJ) has been implementing a multi-phase project in close collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), and in direct partnership with the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). This long-standing partnership continues with the launch of Phase VI, which builds on the successes of previous phases and expands the program’s reach and impact across the West Bank.
In response to the ongoing political and economic crisis—characterized by high unemployment, deepening poverty, and growing food insecurity—Phase VI aims to empower 160 vulnerable households, including small-scale farming families, at least 50% of which are female-headed. This phase focuses on promoting sustainable agro-food systems, enhancing access to irrigation through improved water resources, and introducing environmentally sound agricultural technologies. It will also continue monitoring and supporting 13 food-processing cooperatives to evaluate their post-production and marketing performance. Activities include capacity building, asset provision, and tailored technical support for small-scale farmers, cooperatives, collective farming groups, and special care institutions.
By promoting sustainable agriculture, improving access to land and water resources, and strengthening community capacities, Phase VI seeks to improve food security, foster economic inclusion, and build long-term resilience among marginalized communities against economic shocks and the impacts of climate change. The project also aligns with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on ending hunger, promoting climate resilience, advancing gender equality, and reducing poverty.