Below are some resources that shaped Rawa’s vision. You’ll find documentation of the early discussions that were held during its establishment, links to initiatives that we’re proud to be inspired by, and essays that contextualize the work of Rawa in social, political, and economic issues in Palestine.ا
Our Resources
Reports
Deciding Together: Shifting Power and Resources Through Participatory Grantmaking (2018)
The report illustrates why and how funders around the world engage in this trust-based practice that is shifting traditional power dynamics in philanthropy. Created with input from a number of participatory grantmakers, the guide shares challenges, lessons learned, and best practices. Read more
Report on the Pocantico Convening (2014)
A convening in October 2014 hosted at Pocantico, Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) retreat center in New York, which brought together 22 people to further conceptualize Rawa’s development, following initial consultations and research. This meeting received support from RBF, Open Society Foundations, Middle East Children's Alliance, and the Global Fund for Community Foundations. Read more
Feasibility Report (2015)
This feasibility scan was commissioned by Rawa to assess the general financial viability of the Fund and inform the early decision-making process in the Fund’s development stage. It included comprehensive interviews with 24 philanthropy and program experts from North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Read more
Community Consultations Report (2015)
In 2015, Rawa representatives held dozens of community consultations on the ground with Palestinian community leaders, aiming to refine Rawa’s pilot grant model mechanism and parameters of the fund. Read more
Inspiring Initiatives
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Dalia
Palestinian community foundation mobilizing resources (through community-controlled grantmaking) and encouraging giving for a vibrant, independent civil society.
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Frida: The Young Feminist Fund
Youth-led fund strengthening women’s and gender equality movements and supporting young feminist activists globally.
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Neo
Innovative funding connecting donors and grantees to achieve social justice.
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Community Foundation Atlas Infographics
Insights into community foundation data.
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Flow Funding
An innovative approach to democratize philanthropy by encouraging money to flow in innovative ways through the hands of new funders.
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FundAction
Participatory fund (a pooled fund: Open Society Initiative for Europe, European Cultural Foundation, Charles Leopold Mayer Foundation and Guerrilla Foundation) based in Europe and supporting social transformation.
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Foundations for Peace
Foundations for Peace
Activist funder network for indigenous peace building and social justice work.
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Indie Philanthropy
An extensive resource for learning about all things indie philanthropy.
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Kindle Project
Outside-the-box grantmaking and additional support for creative approaches (think unconventional, brave, even “bizarre,” in their words) to change.
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Edge Fund
Grassroots grantmaking for social change. Their advice: “Let go! Let the community decide. It works!”
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Alliance Magazine
News and analysis on philanthropy and social investment worldwide.
Articles
A New Model for Palestinian Development
Samer Abdelhour describes the post-Oslo aid and development context in Palestine, cautioning that top-down approaches “certainly lead to disappointing results for the majority of Palestinians.” Sustainable Local Enterprise Networks (SLENs) are discussed as a promising model of development that “offer an alternative to traditional development activities that often have a narrow focus and undermine local generation of creativity, capabilities and self-reliance.” Read more
Can Oslo's Failed Aid Model be Laid to Rest?
Writing in 2013, Jeremy Wildernman and Alaa Tartir describe the failed model of aid since Oslo: after over $23 billion dollars of investment, aid has brought neither peace nor justice to Palestinians. What can be done to dismantle and move past the Oslo economic model? What should a new aid paradigm look like? Read more
How Much International Aid to Palestinians Ends Up in the Israeli Economy?
Most international donor interventions unwittingly fund the Israeli occupation and undermine progress for Palestinian society. Through aid subversion and diversion, Shir Hever estimates that “at least 78% of international aid to Palestinians ends up in the Israeli economy.” Richard Falk analyzes the legal and human rights implications. Read more
The Palestinian Economy: Capable of Sustaining an Independent State?
Leila Farsakh argues in this Journal of Palestine Studies article that “international aid is indirectly subsidizing Israeli occupation rather than ending it,” contributing to a Palestinian economy that is “fragmented, aid dependent, and unsustainable.” She writes that “the Palestinian economy, just like the Palestinian state, cannot exist, let alone prosper, before the international community holds Israel accountable to international law, protects Palestinian rights and forces Israel to end its occupation.” Read more