FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES
Sharek Youth Forum
National Network
Palestine
Street address 2
Mobile Phone
0599257899Telephone
+972 2 296 7741E-Mail (2)
Sahar.othman@sharek.psWebsite
Click HereYear of Establishment
2004Contact Person1
Sahar OthmanContact Person 2
Hazem Abu HelalOrganisation Type
Non-Governmental OrganizationFields of Activity
ArtsGeneral Information
Now in its fourteenth year, Sharek Youth Forum has positioned itself as one of the leading independent, apolitical and impartial youth organizations in Palestine. Sharek is today a national and internationally-recognized platform for youth-to-youth, youth-to-community, and youth-to-children interaction. It was established in 1996 by the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) and the United Nations Development Program/ Program of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP /PAPP). Sharek then gained its autonomy in July 2004 when it registered with the Palestinian Ministry of Interior as a non governmental organization with charitable status. Sharek organises activities under three programmes: Step Forward for economic empowerment; Bridges for childhood enrichment; and Advocacy for youth rights. Sharek’s approach is based on partnership and acting together with stakeholders on all levels. Sharek addresses gender-equality and discrimination as cross-cutting issues as it targets all youth equally through its activities.Mission and Objectives
As an independent Palestinian organization, Sharek Youth Forum seeks to contribute to the development of youth through designing, supporting, and implementing youth initiatives, programmes and projects in Palestine. The organization strives to get the voice of youth heard, and acts as a platform for advocacy on social, economic, cultural and political youth issues. 1) Develop the political, economic, social, and cultural capacities of the Palestinian youth so that they can tackle youth issues in the most effective manner. 2) Enhance the exchange of knowledge and experience between Palestinian children, adolescents and youth. 3) Provide opportunities for youth to participate in the economy either by enhancing their employability for their integration into the labor market or through the establishment of new businesses. 4) Foster partnership between civil society organizations, private-sector, government, and international stakeholders towards the creation of opportunities for youth. 5) Raise awareness locally and internationally on the specific needs and issues affecting youth in Palestine.Main Projects / Activities
Step Forward: Now in its sixth year “Step Forward” is an innovative program that helps young people in the transition from education into work or self-employment. As unemployment among 20-24 year olds is at the highest rate of any group in Palestine, “Step Forward” is meeting the challenge of youth employment. Bridges: The rights to play and education must be strongly upheld and sustained in order to secure the development of future generations. In the face of continuing trauma, ongoing occupation and war (particularly in the Gaza Strip), Sharek endeavors to sustain these rights through the Bridges programme. Bridges focuses on creating fun and safe environments, providing enrichment, supporting education and providing psychosocial support. Advocacy and Human Rights: Consolidating the work of the campaigns and awareness-raising unit, Sharek is capitalizing on the capacity of young people to engage with new media as a means of creating opportunities for youth to make their voices heard. Sharek is developing its emphasis on advocacy, debate and dialogue.