project wadi attir
the negev
hura 85730
Israel
- Democracy and community development
- Environment/Sustainable development
- International/Cultural relations
- Research
- Youth and education
Implementation of Project Wadi Attir has been supported by a uniquely broad coalition of groups involving a
government consortium led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and including the Ministry
of Development of the Negev and the Galilee; the Economic Development Authority in the Minority Sector
at the Prime Minster’s Office; and the Authority for Development and Housing of the Bedouin in the Negev;
as well as researchers from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, the Jewish National Fund (USA), local
NGOs and kibbutzim, private sector enterprises, foundations, and individual donors.
- The Visitor, Training and Education Center
The project’s Visitor’s Center is designed to serve as an important eco-tourism destination, providing a source of income, while introducing visitors to Bedouin society, tradition and culture. The center also provides technical training for surrounding communities, acting as a source of ongoing empowerment, and it functions as a significant regional research and education center, serving primary and high schools from around the Negev.
- Herding and Dairy Initiative
The Herding and Dairy Initiative demonstrates a modern,
economically-viable model for animal husbandry that is
consistent with traditional practice. It produces a variety of
high-quality cheeses, and will soon utilize the full range of
herding byproducts, including dairy products, bio-gas fuel,
manure for fertilizer, and wool for weaving and crafts.
- Medicinal Plants Initiative
The Medicinal Plants Initiative preserves, documents,
and showcases traditional Bedouin knowledge in natural
healing remedies and body care utilizing desert herbs. It is
currently establishing a high-quality brand of healing and
cosmetic products, including creams, soaps, infusion teas
and essential oils.
-Indigenous Vegetable Initiative
The Indigenous Vegetable Initiative involves the cultivation
of a variety of authentic, indigenous desert vegetables,
in order to preserve heirloom desert varieties that are
disappearing from use and contribute to better nutrition
within the community. A women-led training program
helps reintroduce the cultivation of indigenous vegetables
on family-managed plots.
-Ecosystem Restoration Initiative
The project’s Ecosystem Restoration Initiative incorporates
an extensive soil enhancement, rainwater harvesting
and biodiversity enrichment agenda, demonstrating
an effective, low-impact approach to combatting
desertification.
- Integrated Infrastructure of
Green Technologies
The project site is supported by an integrated
infrastructure of green technologies. It includes a
pioneering hybrid wind/solar energy system, a state-ofthe-
art irrigation system, a bio-gas production system, a
wastewater treatment system, and a compositing facility.
Wadi Atir project is considered a successful example a number of aspects - one of the most important aspects are that we produced new language, a language of tribal families not based on tribalism but the deed and contribution to the entire community,
In addition to the new partnerships between government agencies and the Bedouin population. In addition to an ecological project success and introducing environmental awareness minority group in cooperation with other communities.
Another aspect is that we can contribute is to present insights on the environmental project, the way trying to find innovative solutions, technology-innovating and integrating the local population in all stages. All this is done for eight years of continuous hard work.
Our model can be copied to several different places and already has the view him as inspiration
Our organization got a project that aims to connect all inhabited and be open to new dialogue , constructive dialogue brings together a variety of cultures , ideas , groups in order to learn lessons , to try and build a better future for all people . So we see the connection with a number of organizations and individuals who believe in a partnership where anything definitely meet our dreams and inhaled through the exchange of knowledge , experience and worldview