In a world unsettled by change, conflict, and uncertainty, where civil society and its voices face powerful opposing forces, something important is taking root in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).
As part of the Connect, Defend, Act! (CDA) program, Hivos has signed partnership agreements with four Palestinian civil society organizations – a milestone that represents not only a new chapter for the program, but also our first-ever direct intervention in Palestine. This significant step reaffirms our long-standing commitment to supporting local voices and advancing civil liberties, especially in circumstances where the space for action is rapidly closing in.
The Connect, Defend, Act! program aims to counter efforts to restrict civic space by supporting civil society in three areas: coalition building, knowledge production, and collective action. Focusing on the most urgent local issues, it engages with actors best positioned to make a difference in Colombia, Indonesia, Malawi, and the occupied Palestinian territory. It works in different sectors and interests, particularly with marginalized groups.
Why this matters now
In a context of occupation, political fragmentation, and mounting restrictions on freedoms, Palestinian civil society operates in a hostile environment dominated by surveillance, censorship, legal constraints, and Israeli settler and military violence. In this reality, local organizations need more than solidarity: they need flexible support, protection, and room to lead.
Through the CDA program, funded by Norway, Hivos works directly with local partners, amplifying their efforts through meaningful support, shared resources, and a platform for regional and global exchange. The program offers flexible funding, technical support, and access to global civic space monitoring networks – crucial tools that will allow Palestinian organizations to act more safely, respond more swiftly, and engage more effectively.
“This milestone is not just about funding projects, it’s about enabling a shift,” says Sahar Rafidi, former CDA Project Officer at Hivos. “We’re helping lay the foundation for a sustained, locally-driven movement that can challenge restrictions and reclaim civic space across Palestine.”
Meet our partners
Each organization brings a unique lens to the work of civic space monitoring, from digital rights to grassroots mobilization and policy reform. Together, they form a diverse and dynamic coalition, enabling a many-sided analysis and response to the restrictions Palestinians face today.
- Witness Center (Shahid) – Experts in media literacy and disinformation monitoring, Witness will produce two key reports in 2025: one on disinformation campaigns targeting civil society, and another focused on gender-based digital harm against women and women human rights defenders (WHRDs).
- REFORM – Focused on empowering marginalized communities, REFORM will develop a civic space monitoring framework that prioritizes youth and women’s voices, boosts rapid response capabilities, and promotes safe, inclusive digital engagement.
- Al Marsad – A research and policy-oriented civil society organization, Al Marsad will examine how governance by decree and the absence of right-to-information laws restrict civic space. Their work will result in actionable recommendations and a strengthened legal advocacy front.
- 7amleh – Palestine’s digital rights powerhouse, 7amleh will monitor digital violations across platforms, support victims of cyberattacks and censorship, and push for global accountability from tech companies through their evidence-based advocacy.
“The combined strengths of these partners can tackle change on many fronts: individual behavior, organizational capacity, and institutional reform. Their diversity allows for a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities we encounter at all levels,” noted Rafidi, adding that from grassroots mobilization to organizational development and policy advocacy, the four partners are well-positioned to deliver a measured and coordinated response.
Building a foundation for long-term impact
This partnership is also an investment in a long-term vision for an inclusive, democratic society in Palestine. Through sustained collaboration, Hivos and its partners will work to build stronger coalitions, safeguard digital civic space, and empower civil society actors – especially women, youth, and marginalized communities.
Hivos’ commitment to support civil society in the oPt – not only through funding but by strengthening civic space networks, visibility, and influence – rests on the belief that civil society can endure and advance even in the most difficult environments when backed by appropriate support, strategic partnerships, and a shared vision.
