Language for Resilience Grants

Based in Salfit in the Northern West Bank, Cooperation for Community Development Association (CFCDA) is a community-based organisation with more than a decade of experience implementing projects based on the needs of the community with many focusing on educational support. CFCDA’s Community English Language Clubs project will train unemployed English language graduates to establish and lead 6 English clubs in different communities in the Northern West Bank, reaching 300 Palestinians including children, young professionals and mothers. These clubs will make it possible for people in the targeted communities to practise and develop their English skills in a familiar and accessible environment.

Find out more through CFCDA's Facebook page.

Due to the lack of specialised centres addressing children's issues, which are influenced by various environmental and psychologicl factors, CFCDA aims to mitigate the pressures affecting children's behaviour, educational performance and future prospects.

Rehab Al Amour, CFCDA President

This project by Jerusalem Youth Cultural Forum (JYCF) aims to make quality English education accessible to youth in and around Jerusalem. JYCF is a Jerusalem-based organisation with experience organising and running educational activities including English clubs. English for Identity builds on JYCF's previous experience by combining interactive English lessons with a range of wraparound activities (including art, music therapy etc.) to support the overall well-being of the participants. This is particularly important given the specific challenges that Jerusalemites face on a daily basis, and the impact this has on their education. The project will reach an estimated 150 young people including children with disabilities in the Jerusalem area with groups receiving tailored English support based on their level and interests.

Find out more on JYCF's website.

The project utilises English language skills along with self-development activities to provide an opportunity for marginalised communities in Jerusalem and Aida Refugee Camp to proudly and confidently reflect their Palestinian identity.

Khader Abu Swai, JYCF Projects and Programmes Coordinator

LINEs for Palestine aims to provide academic support and professional development to Palestinian English language teachers and Palestinian English and Education graduates. Following a needs analysis,  it will establish connections between Palestinian students and UK-based academics who will offer their support through series of workshops on topics identified by the Palestinian students and through one-to-one mentorships. LINEs for Palestine builds on the LINEs (Learning for Informal and non-formal Educators) project that was recently carried out in refugee settings in Lebanon and Jordan.

Seraj Libraries will weave together the threads of cultural heritage, resilience, self-confidence and bilingual storytelling through its Stories for Resilience project. Seraj is a Palestinian organisation that has established a network of libraries that serve as community centres in marginalised areas across Palestine. Through this project, they will translate three Palestinian stories to create a bilingual book that will be featured in the libraries and be used in storytelling sessions. A group of 30 English teachers will receive training in the art of storytelling and go on to lead performances of the stories in classrooms and Seraj's storytelling centre. A group of students will then perform the stories during Seraj's international storytelling festival.

Find out more on Seraj's website.

This cooperation between Seraj Libraries and the British Council empowers participants to transform storytelling across langauges, from narrative to written word to performance.

Fidaa Ataya, Seraj project lead and Master Storyteller

The Voices Across Worlds project will connect teachers and young people from Palestine, Malaysia, Indonesia, Greece, England, Cameroon, Bosnia and Argentina. It is led by Haneen Jadallah, who holds an MA in Drama and English language teaching from the University of Warwick and has extensive experience in theatre and drama. The project participants will write and exchange personal stories. Through their stories, they will explore themes related to their identities and understanding others. This project brings together three different theatre approaches – playback theatre, remote theatre and the theatre of the oppressed. Through the stories, the participants will explore themes related to their identity and how their story It will culminate in the compilation of the stories and streaming of the performances.

Read more about Haneen's work.

In a world torn by conflict, let's connect youth across borders. Through sharing personal stories, we'll cherish identities and appreciate other cultures. We'll build empathy and understanding, weaving a tapestry of compassion.

Haneen Jadallah

Delivered by the Teacher Creativity Center (TCC), Voices of Resilience will use language as a tool for resilience, community cohesion and accountability. TCC is a Palestinian organisation that aims to transform education in the country to become more socially responsible. Through this project, a group of teachers will receive intensive training after which they will work with 15-17 year old students in summer camps. The summer camp sessions will provide the youth with English language support and the opportunity to articulate their own narratives. This will include a focus on the language needed to talk about human rights. The youth will then share their stories through poems, speeches, stories etc. during hearing sessions with decision makers. The project will also incorporate a talk platform to encourage dialogue and the exchange of ideas between participants.

Find out more through the TCC website.