Civic Engagement Program (CEP)

Program Overview

The Civic Engagement Program (CEP), which began in June 2005 and will finish in September 2011, is a $60 million USAID-funded project implemented by ARD, Inc. which supports U.S. foreign policy objectives towards a viable, democratic Palestinian state living in peace and security with Israel and her neighbors.  This is achieved by providing a flexible grants program focused on visibly improving the quality of life for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.  Grants awarded are in the $10,000 - $2,000,000 range.
 
The core strategic objectives of CEP are to: (1) support initiatives and processes that lead to a democratic, peaceful and prosperous Palestinian state, and (2) strengthen reform-minded Palestinian leaders and institutions in support of improved service provision and increased responsiveness to citizen needs. Likewise, the program complements other activities of the USAID West Bank and Gaza Mission, and targets critical, time-sensitive initiatives consistent with the Mission's transformational development goals and U.S. foreign policy objectives, including provision of humanitarian relief to Gaza.

CEP grants target the following:

• Activities that develop the capacities of Palestinian institutions, including ministries, local governments, service providers, and non-governmental and community-based organizations to respond to citizen priorities,

• Activities that incorporate strategic synergies with other USAID West Bank and Gaza programs,  

• Small scale reconstruction/rehabilitation projects (such as schools, sports facilities, and public and recreational programs); and

• Gaza humanitarian relief and recovery projects.

Goals

• Increase confidence in peace process through localized improvements

• Strengthen key civil society institutions and democratic leadership

• Improve quality of life in key areas

Successes

CEP programming is agile and responsive to what we know will continue to be a fluid political and economic environment. The following continue to be significant implementation challenges or potential opportunities the CEP team is prepared to both manage around and take advantage of.

• The humanitarian crisis in Gaza.  Within 48 hours of the first bombs of Operation Cast Lead falling, CEP began purchasing urgently needed food, medicines and plastic sheeting.

• CEP has stood up a humanitarian pipeline which has provided over $25 million in assistance to the people of Gaza. Assistance is coordinated and distributed by international NGOs.

• Sudden improvements in the effectiveness of security create opportunities, such as the grant programs started in Jenin and Hebron to support economic and social development.

• Closures and access issues require creative use of partner resources, and extensive vendor networks to ensure the ability to purchase goods and materials.

In addition to working with the Palestinian Authority and community-based organizations on grant initiatives, CEP continues to focus on expanded capacity development and technical assistance initiatives with government and non-government entities. CEP works directly with the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Youth and Sport, and the Ministry of Justice. To date, CEP has worked with 47 government and 52 non-government bodies throughout the West Bank and Gaza.