MA’AN Development Center was established in the year 1989 in Jerusalem, by a small group of professionals engaged in human and social development and united by the passion to contribute to the strengthening and steadfastness of the Palestinian society via developing and protecting its human and natural resources and its local institutions, in a way that supports the national liberation process, upholding Palestinians’ rights and ending the Israeli occupation.
After 35 years of work and accumulating experience jointly with local, national, and international partners in the fields of human, social, and economic development, MA’AN built and developed models and approaches that have proven effective in achieving local development. The center's developmental approach was successful in linking development and relief on the one hand and putting people at the center of the development process on the other hand, as foundations for access to social justice, as well as economic, social, and political rights, foremost of which is the right to Palestinian’s self-determination, the right to development, eradicating poverty, achieving gender equality and eliminating all forms of marginalization and exclusion for all groups without any discrimination.
MA’AN works in all governorates in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, specifically focusing on marginalized villages and neighborhoods. The center seeks to provide a package of interventions for families and individuals in key priority areas on the basis that comprehensive development is indivisible, where each dimension supports or compliments another, and entailing that social marginalization can only be ended when engaging in economic participation and vice versa.
The executive staff consists of 218 male and female employees with expertise in the fields of economic and social development, agriculture in its various branches and specializations, leadership, design and management of technical and food security programs, education, child and family development and protection, mental health, and program management. Females make up about 56% of the center’s total executive staff, due to the positive discrimination that the center uses in its hiring processes. Females have the priority in occupying senior management positions, including the Program Manager in the West Bank, the two deputy Financial Directors in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and the Procurement Director in Gaza, the Logistics Officer in the West Bank, the Director of Protection Program in the West Bank and Gaza, the Technical Supervisor of Psychosocial Support in West Bank and Gaza, the Director of Human Resources in Gaza, as well as monitoring and evaluation responsibility in West Bank and Gaza, etc. The majority of employees are located in the Gaza Strip due to the larger number of funded projects there during the years 2019-2021. The
Ambition and Determination for a Better Future
Our Vision: Palestinians enjoy a decent life, are steadfast on their land, clinging to their homeland, are self-reliant, and lead their communities, based on the respect of plurality, rule of law, social justice, equality, and human rights.
“Relying on a human rights-based approach, community partnerships, and active participation, we work to enhance the resilience, empowerment, and realization of the rights of those most in need, the poor and marginalized groups and individuals, as well as unleash their latent capacities to enhance their active participation in sustainable development and their abilities to respond to and recover from crises.” through achieving the following five goals:
Goals and Developmental Objectives/Strategies:
| Goals | Developmental Objective/Strategies |
|---|---|
|
1- Improving the food security situation of the poorest and most marginalized sectors of the Palestinian society at the family & community level
|
|
|
2- To develop and enhance the capacities of the Palestinian NGOs, CBOs and grassroots organizations to be able to fulfill their missions and goals so as to contribute to building a Palestinian civil and democratic society based on political pluralism and respect of human rights
|
|
|
3- To enhance community development and decrease poverty in rural and the most disadvantaged areas
|
|
|
4-To protect and develop the Palestinian environment
|
|
|
5- To raise awareness and advocate for and with the Palestinian community on their national rights at the local, national, and international level
|
|
MA’AN’s Programs
A group of values, principles and beliefs that guide MA’AM’s work while it accomplishes its goals and objectives. The Board of Directors and all employees participate in adopting these beliefs, values and principles. These values, beliefs and principles are written and disclosed. Values and principles are situated at various levels:
| No. | Level | Values, beliefs and principles |
|---|---|---|
|
1
|
At the internal level
|
Enhancing self-reliance and increasing independence at every level of our work are features of a leading institutions Professionalism, transparency, credibility and accountability are among the most important elements for success Professionalism, excellence, and continued effort to improve quality of performance and of services provided by the organization.
Modesty: as an organization working to alleviate poverty & improve the quality of life for Palestinian people, we are required to be modest in behavior and attitude.
No conflict of interest within the organization’s bodies.
Internal democratic dialogue and the right for everybody to express their opinion as a basis for leading the organization.
Preserving the organization’s independence from any political, factional, or religious affiliation Teamwork, collective leadership, participation, mutual respect commitment, and cooperation are the key ingredients for success.
Commitment towards the organization’s mission, vision and goals.
Good governance
Commitment to manage the organization in the most competent, effective and best manner so as to maximize the impact of available resources.
Employ competent people.
Equal employment opportunities between both genders
Respect, commitment and application of the Palestinian 2000 NGO Law, and The Basic Palestinian Law. |
|
2
|
At the society/community level
|
Human beings are the essential basic element and focus of the development process
Democracy as a process and main focus in building a democratic civil society.
Community development means the right of the people to identify their economic, social and cultural needs and be partnered in the whole development process
Cooperation with the community is a learning process; all parties in it are equal; and no party has a monopoly over knowledge
Development is a means not only for economic prosperity but also for human dignity, peace, justice, equal opportunity, and non-discrimination
Respect of human rights is a precondition to a democratic state
Development programs must be based on the social, economic, political and cultural needs and priorities of local communities, in respect to their aspirations, traditions and values
Learning is a right, a human need, and a life-long continuous process
NGOs contribute to the struggle for liberation and to building our civil and democratic society
Recognition of gender differences and the specific needs of women is an integral part of our programs and activities
Women are the basic partners in the developmental process; developing women's attitudes, skills, and knowledge will ensure sustainable human development.
Civil society is crucial for building a democratic state.
Social justice and equality, and sovereignty of law.
Transparency and accountability at all levels.
Defend and believe in the rights of the needy and marginalized in society.
We believe in the society and its institutions’ right to accountability.
|
|
3
|
At the level of supporting and partnership stakeholders
|
Unconditional support, without political preconditions, shows true solidarity from our international partners and donors
Transparency and fairness.
Insist on Palestinian development priorities.
Strive towards building a real partnership among supporting organizations.
Mutual respect. |
|
4
|
At the level of target groups/ beneficiaries (individuals and institutions)
|
Participation in an integral component for the success of any initiative. Target groups’ (individuals and institutions) participation in defining development needs, in planning, implementing and evaluating projects and programs implemented and supported by the organization.
We believe in the necessity of coordination, cooperation and integration among civil society institutions.
Focus on grass-roots and small CBOs to receive funding. |
MA’AN’s Target Groups & Beneficiaries
MA’AN seeks to reach certain key target groups through their programs and activities. The target groups can be characterized as:
Geographical Areas by priority
| West Bank | Gaza Strip* |
|---|---|
|
Tulkarem
|
Khan Younis District
|
|
Jordan Valley
|
Northern part of GS
|
|
Jenin/Toubas
|
Gaza city
|
|
Jerusalem
|
|
|
Ramallah
|
|
|
Bethlehem
|
|
*Special focus on seam zone areas
Figure 1 Geographical Areas
Geographical Areas by priority:
MA’AN’s Funding
Based on its specialized programs, the center depends on unconditional funding and support from a group of Palestinian and international organizations. It also depends on the revenues of its courses, publications and consultancies.
MA’AN’s Training Philosophy
The training philosophy aims at developing three dimensions:
It joins theoretical and practical modern training methods through different training methods based on the dialogue, participation, exchange of experience and learning from others.
