INJAZ - Center for Professional Arab Local Governance

National Network
Israel
Address

4 Wadi El-Haj Street - the Industrial Zone, Nazareth
Nazareth 16000
Israel

Telephone
972 4 6566572
Fax
972 77 4320886
E-Mail
ghaida@injaz.org.il
Organisation Type
Non-Governmental Organization
Year of Establishment
2008
Fields of Activity
  1. Democracy and community development
  2. Environment/Sustainable development
  3. Gender
  4. Others
General Information
INJAZ - Center for Professional Arab Local Governance is a dynamic non-profit organization working to strengthen the capacity of Arab leadership within local authorities, towns and villages in Israel in order to advance social and economic development for Arab citizens. Promoting principles of democracy, public participation and transparency, Injaz aims to achieve Arab municipal governance that initiates processes of social change, creating the conditions for dignity, development and a sense of belonging. Through training, research, strategic planning, and pilot projects on the ground, Injaz Center contributes to transforming the local authorities from mere service providers to a driving force, working to improve the lives of citizens in Israel, thus contributing to the overall development of the state, and to the creation of a shared society. With 15 highly motivated and dedicated staff, Injaz accompanies Arab local authorities (ALAs) throughout Israel in leading various projects for social and economic development. Established November 2008 with the initial encouragement of the Secretariat of the National Committee of the Heads of Arab Local Authorities, Injaz receives wide-range of support from national and international organizations, public institutions, and private foundations. Partners - Civil society: Adva Center, Heschel Center, Sikkuy Center, Tsofen Technology Centers; with regional economic corporation: Beit HaKerem Valley Cluster; cooperation with Israeli Ministries: Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry Construction & Housing, and Authority for Economic Development - Prime Minister's Office; cooperation with international economic organization: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Mission and Objectives

Promoting principles of democracy, public participation and transparency, Injaz aims to achieve Arab municipal governance in Israel that affects social change, creating the conditions for dignity, socioeconomic development, and a greater sense of belonging and civil responsibility. Through catalyzing high impact partnerships with key people, advancing advocacy actions, capacity building and pilot projects, Injaz contributes to transforming ALAs from mere service providers to a driving force, working to improve the lives of the Arab community, ultimately benefitting the entire population of Israel as a shared society.
To achieve its mission, Injaz engages in different areas of operation - Advocacy: accompanying ALAs and target groups in producing policy papers to advocate needs vis a vis central government. Catalyzing cooperation between ALAs/constituency/central government: facilitating forums and roundtables for open dialogue, increasing mutual trust, and launching joint actions. Research & best practices: analyzing gaps between Arab and Jewish municipalities, and obstacles to development; mapping needs and capabilities; formulating best practices based on extensive experience in the field. Capacity building: training ALA elected and appointed officials in municipal management and strategic planning. Empowering and engaging public: (women & youth) accompanying advocacy processes, community work, capacity building in municipal budgets and policy. Pilot projects: designing and implementing innovative programs for local and regional development - please see below for detailed projects' description.

Main Projects / Activities

Among Injaz's prominent projects:
Forum 2030 brings together leading Arab mayors to gain expertise and develop a new agenda for Arab local governance, with concrete strategies in education and welfare, housing and urban planning and economic development.  The Forum creates a safe space for peer learning, in which local council heads grapple with dilemmas and form alliances for regional cooperation.  The agenda documents that resulted from the Forum form the basis for dealing with the thorniest issues facing Arab local governance in Israel today.
Forum of Municipal Senior Officials brings together municipal treasurers, general directors, urban planners and town's engineers for training, debate and creating partnerships. The program aims to enhance the capacities of the local authorities and to build constructive channels of communication with key government officials and decision makers, to allow more equitable access for Arab citizens to national resources in the fields of land use, housing, economic development and public transportation, while assimilating management tools and skills for the senior officials, in order to improve their work efficiency.
Regional Networking - Strengthening the Economic Base of Arab Towns: Creating and implementing regional economic development networks and action plans for four regions -- Wadi Ara (Northern Triangle), the Southern Triangle, the Western Galilee, and Beit Hakerem Cluster Valley.
Kudoman: Stimulating Young People's Involvement in Local Political Life in Arab Towns engages young people in influencing the local agenda in their towns. It is one of Injaz's most active and dynamic projects, and one in which Injaz can see an immediate impact on the participants. Participants are developing their skills and capacity for leadership, increasing their awareness of local issues, of the challenges and dilemmas of municipal management in Arab towns in Israel, and learning how to voice their concerns and become agents of for change, changing their voting patterns and exercising their democratic rights effectively.
Gender Mainstreaming at the Local Level, aiming to strengthen the capacity of groups of local women living in communities in Israel's socio-economic periphery, to empower them with the capacity to participate in the affairs of their local government. It creates a platform for local stakeholders to meet with local and government officials to develop strategies and overcome obstacles, as well as to empower, train and provide the women with tools to create change in their communities.

How can you contribute to the Network in your country?

Injaz Center has vast experience and research-based knowledge in leading socio-economic development in Arab towns, and is perceived as the main credible source of information on Arab local governance, with constantly increasing number of Arab mayors, as well as municipal and government senior officials turning to Injaz for advice.
Members of the network who will to embark on similar endeavors could benefit from Injaz's vas experience in this field.

Why do you want to join the ALF Network?

Injaz Center holds sharing knowledge and networking among its core values and principles, and believes that joining the ALF network would enable the organization to extend the benefits of its knowledge to other organizations, and would contribute to expanding the organization's knowledge as well. Additionally, Injaz views this to be an opportunity to further develop partnerships and co-operations.

Contact (1) Full Name
Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi
Job Title
General Director
Head of the organisation
Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi