We Effect Environmental and Climate Justice Programme Palestine 2020-2023

The programme targets 25 of the most marginalized communities in the West Bank and Gaza. The programme is centered as much around social and livelihood aspects as around environment and climate change. It uses a gender mainstreaming and human rights-based approach and thus links the rights of marginalized community members especially women, youth, and smallholder farmers to obligations and commitments of duty bearers (the accountable levels in Palestine and Israel), particularly when it comes to environmental governance and rights, access to information, and natural resources. In the period 2023/24, some key developments include: Continue to operate and activate the shadow tracking system of environmental violations , by issuing reports and case studies, policy papers and holding workshops at the local and global levels. Through the environmental complaint system, 12 reports were produced highlighting abuses and violations of environmental rights. These reports covered several topics, including food sovereignty, climate justice, and wastewater pollution. The system is now in close coordination with the EQA in regard to follow-up and inspection of cases of environmental violations, which is a clear synergy within the Sida portfolio. Conduct training and capacity-building for partners, target groups, and Community-Based Organizations, with a primary focus on developing disaster risk reduction (DDR) and emergency preparedness plans, as well as addressing gender-based violence (GBV). This includes developing capacities of grassroots organizations and youth pressure groups (YPGs) in targeted areas. Implement innovative and smart solutions to environmental/climate/ agricultural ecosystems and biodiversity preservation challenges developed and piloted with vulnerable communities. Implementing five environmental initiatives (improving solid and liquid waste management, establishing of the wastewater treatment plant, biogas systems, rehabilitation of rainwater harvesting cisterns for agricultural/domestic use, and distribution/production of seedlings. The ECJP is unique for its´ structure that through civil society organisations consortia covers representation for agriculture, water and land issues as well as applied research and social economy, and has therefore become a refence point for Palestine when it comes to grass root representation, outreach and accountability. In light of this, networking and collaboration has been developed with international organizations and domestic duty bearers and stakeholders such as Palestinian Agricultural Credit Institution (PACI), FAO, UNIDO- Mostadama, Kvinna till Kvinna, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency SEPA, EQA, MoA, PWA, MoE, and EQA to inform about the programme and lay the groundwork for collaboration and synergies. Accountability and duty bearer dialogue is mirrored through for example coordination with the MoA during the implementation of one GIA where 280 trees were received from the Agriculture Department in Hebron and were planted on the target cooperative land. Collaboration took place with MoE for all activities related to the environmental clubs in schools. Coordination with MoT and, MoA, Water Authority, and Environmental Health in addition to coordination with local authorities for Domestic Wastewater Treatment Unit at Bani Naiem Municipality Hebron. The programme shows success with providing innovative environmental technology for farmers who have agricultural experience. Working with grassroots organizations with experience in farming and access to a network of farmers was successful when introducing environmentally friendly technology that assists in boosting agricultural productivity. Farmers knew how to identify activities, followed protocols, and maintained supplies. In 2023, the programme laid the foundation for gender-responsive activities, building upon the Gender Power Analyses study and partners' capacity in gender equality. The initiatives were designed to ensure women's active and equal participation, aiming for justice and equality for women, youth, and vulnerable groups in targeted communities. Key achievements included reaching 167,243 individuals directly through community awareness campaigns, with women representing 54% of participants. The ECJP commitment to gender equality has impacted partner to enhance focus on mainstreaming gender perspectives across all programme activities. Notably, partners integrated gender equality into project documents and practice, evident in resource allocation, data collection, and interventions. Building on this, gender policies or strategies were adopted by many organizations, guiding their work on gender equality and women's empowerment. We Effect facilitated the use of the Fair Resource Allocation System (FRAS), a tool that promotes gender budgeting and disaggregated reporting of expenditures. By dedicating 49.3% of resources to women, PAIC members ensured accountability and transparency in resource allocation, contributing to gender equality outcomes. In terms of enhancing women's participation in environmental dialogue, ECJP partners have taken deliberate steps to ensure gender sensitivity in all activities, sessions, and events. With women actively participating in awareness sessions and environmental accountability workshops, their overall representation stands at an impressive 63%. These sessions serve as platforms for women to voice their concerns, challenges, and best practices, establishing crucial linkages between communities, especially women, and decision-makers.

The overarching goal of the programme is to "contribute to improving environmental and climate justice in Palestine". The specific programme objective is "By 2024, civil society organisations and rights holders have the capacity to address and challenge structural barriers to environment and climate justice in Palestine". To achieve the programme goal, the programme will use a bottom-up approach to environmental governance by strengthening the capabilities of various stakeholders and marginalized communities to influence policy making and strategic sector policies. The programme will use a human rights based approach, linking the rights of marginalized community members with the obligations and commitments of duty bearers when it comes to environmental governance and rights, access to information and natural resources. The role of civil society in strengthening environmental governance is important which is why the programme will also contribute to capacity building of CSO's to participate in the environmental decision making dialogue, improving rights-based environmental mainstreaming, developing risk-management response plans and community resilience plans as well as ensuring financing for innovative green solutions to environmental development and climate justice.