A New Project to Support and Empower Adolescents in Northern West Bank through Governmental and Community Partnership

Ramallah – With an official initiative by the Ministry of Social Development, in partnership with Taawon (Welfare Association) , and with support from GOAL Global and implementation by Tamer Institute for Community Education, the Ministry launched today from its headquarters in Ramallah a new project titled "Empowering the Future: Craft and Story". The project aims to empower adolescents in the northern West Bank through life skills and psychosocial training.

The initiative comes as a direct response to the difficult conditions facing northern governorates due to repeated military incursions and ongoing violence, which have left deep psychological and social impacts on adolescents. It affirms the Ministry’s commitment to providing integrated interventions that include protection, psychosocial support, and capacity building for the most affected groups.

The project was launched during an official event opened by H.E. Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Acting Minister of Relief Affairs, in the presence of assistant undersecretaries, senior ministry staff, Dr. Tarek Amtiré, Director General of Taawon, Ms. Raneen Qubbaj, Director General of Tamer Institute, and representatives from the two partner organizations.

The project will target over 200 adolescents (ages 12–18) in the governorates of Jenin and Tulkarm, who will undergo four months of intensive training in life skills, psychosocial support, and craft production.

In her speech, Dr. Hamad emphasized that this national initiative aligns with the Ministry’s vision to promote adolescent participation in development, identifying them as one of the key vulnerable groups under the Ministry’s care. She stressed that the Ministry’s role extends beyond cash transfers and includes 18 specialized services focusing on protection, care, and empowerment—especially for adolescents facing immense psychological and social challenges in the northern West Bank.

Dr. Hamad also highlighted the Ministry’s continued efforts in Gaza, through the Government Emergency Operations Room, now comprising over 42 active institutions, and stressed that the project will eventually be extended to reach adolescents in Gaza as well.

She explained that the project was born from field observations of the pain and hardship endured by adolescents, and stressed the need to incorporate technology, programming, and leadership into the training to equip youth with the tools needed to overcome adversity and build their futures.

Dr. Tarek Amtiré expressed pride in the partnership with the Ministry, noting that the project originated from the Minister’s vision and urgent needs on the ground, and was swiftly adopted by Taawon’s Board. He described it as a first step toward broader, more impactful interventions with youth in marginalized areas, and extended thanks to GOAL Global for its strategic support.

Ms. Raneen Qubbaj noted that the project aligns with Tamer Institute’s mission, which began during the First Intifada, and comes at a time when children and adolescents are being increasingly targeted. She emphasized the project’s focus on mental health and crafts as tools for recovery, and stated that Tamer has reached over 63,000 children in Gaza since the beginning of the war, through educational and cultural interventions. She called for expanding the project to Gaza without waiting for ceasefires, emphasizing the power of such initiatives to help young people shape their own narratives and identity.

The “Craft and Story” project represents a strategic investment in Palestinian human capital, reinforcing that the Ministry does not wait for crises to end but rather acts to create hope amid hardship—through community-based and internationally supported partnerships, under national leadership that looks toward a resilient future.