Capability Statement
The Economic and Social Development Center of Palestine (ESDC)
Palestine, 2024
ORGANIZATION DETAILS
Organization Name: Economic & Social Development Center of Palestine (ESDC)
Year Established: 2003
Type of Registration: Registered Non-Governmental Organization
Locations: Main office Ramallah, branch offices in Tubas and Gaza
Postal Address: P.O. Box 4518, Al-Bireh
Phone Number:+ 970 2 2972030 , 970 2 2989909, 970 2 2989830
Fax Number:+ 970 2 2989851
Email: info@esdc-pal.org Website:www.esdc-pal.org
Primary Contact:
Name: Akram Al-Taher
Position title: Director General
E mail address: altaher@esdc-pal.org
Mobile Phone: 970 599 676 170
ORGANIZATION PROFILE
Core Competencies:
The Economic and Social Development Center of Palestine (ESDC) is a Palestinian result and rights-based development-oriented NGO established in 2003 and, as a learning organization, has accumulated vast experience in the both development and humanitarian cooperation. ESCD works in all geographic locations of the West Bank and Gaza Strip with offices in Ramallah (main), Tubas and Gaza. Within the development cooperation, ESDC is a well-recognized at the national level for their work in developing and building the capacities of cooperatives and the cooperative sector. Not only does ESDC build the capacities of cooperatives, CBOs and working groups, but also develops their capacities in natural resources management, agriculture, food security, and social economy.
ESDC is the only local NGO in Palestine that focuses specifically on the development of member based organizations; cooperatives, CBO’s and working groups as well as individual farmers. ESDC focuses on aggregating the split resource through cooperative concepts. ESDC found that the cooperative model is the most appropriate model for developing the Palestinian economy, which characterized by small size and of ownership, scattered resources and small produces. Further, ESDC had built and developed strategic partnerships with the inline ministries, including the assembly of Cooperative Work and Ministry of Agriculture and ensures all projects are in line with the National Policy Agenda.
ESDC has developed a strong cooperation among different actors in Gaza and West Bank providing capacity development training for ESDC projects funded by different donors and being contracted by international and UN agencies
ESDC’s exceptional cadre of agronomists marketing, capacity building, and small business development specialists provide the technical support needed by the rights holders with a comprehensives approach working along the value chain from the producer and linking them to the market. ESDC has the ability, skill and experience to build capacities in a wide range of topics related to agriculture practices and adaptive climate change techniques, including fruit trees, greenhouse, open fields, water harvesting, alternative energy sources, wastewater treatment and reuse, organic solid waste, fertilizers, and good agricultural practices. in addition to building marketing opportunities through, quality assurance for marketing, trademark registration, standardization and packaging, Further, ESDC has the proven capacity to develop the financial, business and management capacities of MBOs. This results in cost effectiveness, using our own resources rather than outsourcing at higher costs to the projects.
ESDC greatly emphasizes the importance of community ownership and participation within its interventions and encourages renewable energy. Also, increasing green areas, planting suitable trees, using solar energy for pumping irrigation water, and land reclamation are ESDC’s contribution in fighting climate change side effects.
Further, within the humanitarian cooperation, ESDC works with farmers to restore their agricultural activities, and to mitigate the negative impact of Israeli occupation, unfavourable natural crises, and negative impact of climate change on socio-economic conditions and food security. ESDC also has considerable previous experiences within agricultural humanitarian assistance, and backyard agro-production interventions in both West Bank and Gaza Strip. Further, ESDC provides Emergency Humanitarian Responses efficiently and effectively to the affected farmers. Most recently, ESDC has been working on early recovery projects to assist farmers’ shift from humanitarian to early recovery projects in improving access and efficiency of irrigation water for farmers in the Seam Zones and renewable energy, especially in Gaza.
Brief History:
ESDC was established in 2003 by renowned Palestinian development practitioners to work on developing the Palestinian social economy in the rural and marginalized areas with special focus on cooperatives and women self-help group. Several interventions aimed at strengthening the co-operatives in the area were piloted; however, it was realized by the cooperation partners that the activities and plans were covering a broader set of target groups other than the agricultural co-operatives. Hence, in order to cover the scope of work a local cooperation structure that will be able to broadly represent the different co-operative types in Palestine was established, hence the birth of the Economic and Social Development Center of Palestine. Working within the needs of the Palestinian social economy, and immediate needs of the target groups, ESDC works within two spheres to meet the development and humanitarian needs of people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; Capacity development and Livelihood and Food Security
Vision:
A Sustainable and Resilient Socio-Economy
Mission:
We are a Palestinian civil Society organization committed to promoting economic and social development in the Palestinian community through empowering individuals, promoting cooperative work, enhancing resilience, and ensuring sustainable resource management while also addressing the challenges of climate change.
Values:
ESDC continues to align its organizational values with the internationally-accepted co-operative principles. It also upholds the values of transparency, integrity and accountability, social justice, and peace.
Strategy:
As an accountable, transparent, learning and continually developing organization, ESDC stakeholders would gather every three years to develop the strategic plan of ESDC for the coming three years, to which are reported on within the annual report. However, in 2023/2027, ESDC made the decision to prepare a five-year strategy in line with the Ministries, to be reviewed yearly for any revisions that may be made. The budget will also be reviewed yearly and set accordingly. For 2023-2027, the following strategic objectives have been set:
First Objective: To enhance the role of cooperative societies, membership-based institutions and groups in the social economy.
Second objective: to strengthen and develop the local economy by supporting and developing small and medium entrepreneurial projects, to create new job opportunities that increase per capita income, especially for youth and women.
Third objective: to enhance the steadfastness and resilience of farmers.
Fourth Objective: Strengthening the institutional capacities of the Center to ensure compliance with the principles of good governance and the adoption of values of integrity and effective accountability.
Competitive Advantage:
ESDC is the only local NGO in Palestine that focuses specifically on the development of cooperative business model as tool for promoting social economy. ESDC has a focused specialty in developing and building the capacities of the social enterprises, as well as individual farmers and entrepreneurs, in order to organize and their efforts and recourses in a collective manner. ESDC had built and developed strategic partnerships with the inline ministries, including Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Agriculture. Further, all of ESDC work is in line with the relevant Ministry strategic plans.
ESDC’s exceptional cadre of agronomists and social economy specialist in the field to provide the technical support needed by the target group with a comprehensives approach working along the value chain from the producer and linking them to the market. For our marketing approach, ESDC is one of the main founders of New Farm Co. which specializes in marketing cooperative products. ESDC is cost effective, using our own resources rather than outsourcing at higher costs to the projects.
ESDC is the only local NGO that focuses on aggregating the split resource through cooperative concepts. ESDC found that the cooperative model is the most appropriate model for developing the Palestinian economy, which is characterized by small size and of ownership, scattered recourse and small produces.
CAPABILITIES AND CAPACITY
Programs:
Program I: Societal Economy
Program II: Entrepreneurial Projects
Program III: Steadfastness and Resilience
Program IV: Institutional Development
Program I: Societal Economy
Program Objective: To enhance the role of cooperative societies, membership-based institutions and groups in the social economy.
The program aims to support associations and cooperatives, particularly those in marginalized areas impacted by occupation practices. It seeks to improve the efficiency of their governance, management, and operations and provide a supportive institutional environment. The program also aims to establish effective partnerships and build the technical and administrative capacities of these institutions to make them more sustainable and have a positive impact on their social and economic surroundings.
Interventions, including:
– Developing administrative and institutional capacities: This includes improving financial and administrative systems, creating strategic plans, operational work guides, and incorporating concepts of climate change, human rights, and gender, with a focus on women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
– Building technical and life skills, marketing, negotiation, costing, and accounting knowledge to enhance their role in local economic and social development.
– Supporting economic and productive businesses and providing services to help associations achieve a clear productive identity.
– Investing in available opportunities and improving production requirements and inputs to increase self-reliance.
– Establishing networks between associations and informal groups to exchange experiences and goods.
– Promoting collective and cooperative work among Palestinian society groups.
– Carrying out support and advocacy campaigns for the cooperative sector.
– Encouraging associations to adopt sound environmental practices and use clean energy.
– Developing the associations’ capabilities in incubating entrepreneurial initiatives.
– Empowering cooperatives to claim the rights of their members, especially small producers.
– Creating new and innovative cooperative models to meet the needs of members and serve as examples for knowledge transfer and productive experiences.
Target groups:
– Cooperative Societies
– Grassroots and Community-Based Organizations
– Productive women’s groups
– Savings and Loan Associations
– Youth groups
– Farmer groups
The expected outcomes are:
1. Associations operating with sound institutional frameworks and good governance.
2. Sustainable economic projects run by associations.
3. Associations incubating economic businesses and creating job opportunities for members.
4. Association and producer group products with marketing competitiveness.
5. Membership-based associations and institutions serving as references for members in their economic activities and representation of their rights.
6. Exemplary cooperative societies in new fields such as environmental change and tourism.
7. Basic and membership-based community economy institutions having access to funding for economic development.
Program II: Entrepreneurial Projects
Program Objective: to strengthen and develop the local economy by supporting and developing small and medium entrepreneurial projects, to create new job opportunities that increase per capita income, especially for youth and women.
Supporting entrepreneurship, particularly for young people, women, and individuals with disabilities, by providing small and micro projects with access to markets, financing, and logistical support. The aim is to help these projects become successful and integrate into the job market.
The intervention package includes:
– Specialized training and capacity building in entrepreneurship, feasibility studies, business planning, marketing, technical skills, investment, and production.
– Incubation and support for project development and business management, as well as counseling sessions with business experts.
– Provision of equipment and resources necessary for project ideas to be implemented.
– Facilitation of access to microfinance services and the development of financial skills.
– Assistance in connecting with local and regional investors and business accelerators.
– Financial support for incubating entrepreneurial projects and meeting their requirements.
– Building professional networks and coordinating investment opportunities between young entrepreneurs and women.
– Providing resources, manuals, and tools that ensure the integration of environmental sustainability, human rights, and gender equality in entrepreneurial and business incubation activities.
Target groups:
– Cooperatives and CBOs
– Youth
– Women
– Universities, local and governmental institutions
– Small and medium enterprises
The expected outcomes are:
1. Empowerment of young men and women with technical and administrative capabilities that meet market demands.
2. Growth-oriented and dynamic pioneering projects.
3. Fair and favorable financing contracts for pioneering projects.
4. Development of a strong and efficient coordinating body for industry workers.
5. An increase in the number of small and micro businesses led by youth, women, and people with disabilities.
6. A supportive environment for small and micro business growth.
7. A growing culture of entrepreneurship among target groups.
Program III: Steadfastness and Resilience
Program Objective: to enhance the steadfastness and resilience of farmers.
The aim of this program is to enhance the steadfastness and resilience of farmers and empower them by facilitating access to their lands and to the resources necessary for agricultural production and development, especially in vulnerable areas near the wall and in areas known as “C” and Jerusalem. The program offers infrastructure services such as land rehabilitation and reclamation, improved agricultural roads, expanded water networks, alternative energy solutions, and training in modern agricultural techniques. Additionally, the program works to enhance the resilience of farmers by supporting them in addressing the impacts of climate change and natural disasters, and providing access to agricultural loans and insurance services. The program also promotes human rights and legal awareness, and offers legal support and protection services to confront violations of humanitarian law from the occupation.
Interventions, including:
Farmers have access to natural resources
– Development of agricultural land.
– Construction and rehabilitation of agricultural roads.
– Technical training.
– Rehabilitation and development of natural pastures.
– Development and rehabilitation of water resources
Farmers’ productivity per unit of production is high
– Technical, financial and administrative training.
– Supply production techniques.
– Development of production inputs.
– Aggregate scattered resources.
– Land rehabilitation.
– Conversion of rain-fed lands to irrigation.
– Supplementary irrigation of crops.
– Soil development and increase its fertility
Agricultural activities are adapted to the change of approaches.
– Training and capacity building in green work skills
– Alternative energy
– Green economy activities.
– Conservation agriculture.
– Water harvesting.
Farmers receive adequate support to rehabilitate their farms damaged by occupation or nature and are adequately protected to confront violations of humanitarian law.
1. Emergency response interventions and projects.
2. Humanitarian interventions and projects.
3. Food security interventions and projects.
4. Household-level food production initiatives.
5. Enhancing legal and human rights awareness and providing legal support.
Farmers have access to the necessary financial services such as lending and insurance
1. Loans for farmers and their member-based organizations.
2. Implementation and creation of agricultural insurance options.
3. Financial services based on community and membership.
Target Groups:
1. Communities suffering from occupation
2. Disadvantaged groups
3. Farmers’ Associations and Groups
4. Individual Farmers
The expected outcomes are:
1. Farmers are able to access natural resources.
2. the productivity of farmers from the unit of production is high.
3. Agricultural activities are adapted to climate change.
4. Farmers receive adequate support to rehabilitate their farms that are vulnerable to damage by occupation or nature and are adequately protected to confront violations of humanitarian law.
5. Farmers have access to the necessary financial services such as lending and insurance.
Program IV: Institutional Development
Program Objective: Strengthening the institutional capacities of the Center to ensure compliance with the principles of good governance and the adoption of values of integrity and effective accountability.
The ESDC aims to enhance the technical and administrative capacities of its executive body by exploring new technologies, sharing experiences, and strengthening its media and communication skills. It will also work on revising its policies and systems, automating its operations, and establishing financial stability through income-generating projects, attracting funding from various sources, building partnerships, and broadening its network of local, regional, and international allies. These efforts will enhance the center’s work and promote the awareness, mobilization, and advocacy of the target groups regarding laws, rights, and duties, fostering a sense of citizenship and accountability among public institutions. The ESDC is also committed to improving its internal working environment.
Interventions, including:
1. Upgrading the technical abilities of the executive body
1. Creating a yearly training schedule
2. Providing training through workshops and on-the-job training
3. Establishing a career development plan for employees
2. Updating internal regulations, policies, and procedures
1. Reviewing and digitizing existing manuals and processes
2. Upgrading the internal system to accommodate growth
3. Strengthening the financial stability of the center
1. Diversifying and growing funding sources
2. Generating revenue through investment projects
3. Collaborating with the private sector on project implementation
4. Expanding the ESDC network of local, regional, and international partnerships
1. Strengthening relationships with partners
2. Advocating and supporting the causes of target groups through regional and local alliances
5. Improving the ESDC internal operations
1. Expanding the headquarters in Ramallah
2. Upgrading furniture
3. Reevaluating the salary structure
6. Improving media representation
1. Creating documentary films showcasing success stories
Targeted groups:
1. Board of Directors
2. The Executive staff
3. General Assembly
Facilities:
Offices in Ramallah, Tubas and Gaza
Internal Systems:
Quality Assurance System (QAS) – ISO 9001, Professional accounting and collaborative Monitoring & Evaluation system
Geographical area served:
ESDC covers Palestine, both West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Financial Capability:
ESDC has a well-rounded pool of committed experts with the commitment needed to obtain result in the development and livelihood sectors. Through this cadre, ESDC has the capacity to implement programs and projects worth millions of dollars with the average annual budget of 4 million USD.
ESDC’s well-developed financial system, including procurement regulations; ESDC has an excellent internal control system to ensure that the end beneficiary receives the most for your dollar. Furthermore, at the end of each financial year, ESDC contracts an external auditor to audit the financial activity of ESDC; the end result financial statements and Independent Auditor’s report is available on ESDC’s website as part of clear and transparent financial systems. Furthermore, ESDC has a solid partnership with 7 main international funding organizations in Palestine.
KEY PERSONNEL
Name: Akram Al-Taher
Position: Director General
Akram has a Master degree in International Studies. He has been working within editorial cooperative development & lively hood improvement for the Palestinian community for over 25 years through improving & enhancement of the institutional capacities for the Palestinian cooperatives. Akram also has experience in designing & implementing developmental and humanitarian projects for the agricultural sector as well as developing the business &infrastructure for the Palestinian cooperatives. He also has worked in developing the technical capacities for the small producers & households in order to enable them to reach the internal and external markets.
Name: Abeer Qtairy
Position: Programs Manager,
Abeer Qtairy Omar has a Master Degree in Business Administration from Birzeit University. She has 20 years of progressive work experience with the Economic and Social Development Center of Palestine. Abeer is well known within the development sector for her excellent planning, managing, and implementing projects that build towards sustainable development.
Abeer’s experience has been dedicated to cooperative development focusing on improving institutional and business/service capacities of cooperatives. She has worked with capacity building projects for cooperatives and CBOs driving entrepreneurship, leadership and gender inclusion.
Name: Aisha Salem
Position: Manager of ESDC’s Gaza Office,
Aisha Salem, Head of Gaza office of the Economic and Social Development Center of Palestine, she holds a Master Degree in Business Administration, Aisha is a Results-oriented sustainable development enthusiast with a solid experience of interventions related to agriculture sector and both renewable energy and water improving projects. Aisha has experience of 15 years in development practice focused on the design, implementation and evaluation of development programs which has addressed issues of getting better life for marginal areas in the Gaza strip.
Name: Abed Yasin
Position: Manager Monitoring and Evaluation Manager
Abed has an M.Sc. in Sustainable Rural Development and over 23 years of experience working with international and national organizations in development and humanitarian projects as well as private sectors. He is competent in projects management, from design, planning, monitoring and evaluation, using Results Based Management. Abed also has extensive experience in socio-economic research, participatory assessment and analysis.
Name: Suhaib Abu Sheikh
Position: Financial and Administrative Manager
Suhaib has over 22 years of admin and financial work experience in the local NGO sector with experience in project financial management, preparing budget and control it, financial report, staffing plan and salaries, monitoring procurement plan and procedure, developing admin and financial manual and trainer in the financial issues.
Cadre:
PARTNERS LIST
} Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Labor
} Cooperative work agency
} OXFAM
} AECID
} EU
} WeWorld
} WeEffect
} GIZ
} UNDP
} OCHA
} SIF
QUALITY COMMITMENT
ESDC have a comprehensive quality management system (ISO9001:2015).
Meanwhile, ESDC is in possession of the following quality attributes as assessed to have high score by its donor partners:
1- Capacity Assessment and Financial Monitoring.
2- Strategic plan 2023-2027
3- Administrative& financial manuals and Monitoring & Evaluation systems.
4- Program Management Computerized Information System-PMIS.
5- Quality Assurance System (QAS) – ISO 9001:2015.
6- Gender Policy (2018).
7- Risk Management
ESDC Memberships
ESDC is a member of the following associations / networks:
1- The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA).
2- Palestinian Network of Non-governmental Organizations (PNGO).
3- Food Security Cluster in the Opt.
4- Wash Cluster in the Opt.
5- The Palestinian Disaster and Agriculture Insurance Fund.
6- Arab Cooperative union.
7- International Cooperative Fishery Organization-ICFO
8- Global Socio – Economy Forum.
9- Palestinian Agricultural Credit Institution (PACI)
ESDC General Director
Akram Altaher
January, 2024
