Palestinians, already denied their right to self-determination, should not have to receive aid in ways that further undermine local priorities, capacities and ownership. Moreover, respect for rights in the aid process is tied to development effectiveness, an interest shared by Palestinians, other aid-dependent peoples, donors, policy makers, and civil society.

We, the undersigned, support aid reform and therefore pledge to work within our organizations, with our representatives, and in solidarity with Palestinian civil society to reduce dependence on aid, ensure accountability at all levels, and promote development within a framework of rights.

In research conducted with civil society activists across the West Bank and Gaza Strip, participants expressed these OBJECTIONS:

1. Most donors fund relief, not development.
2. Intermediaries often harm local civil society’s effectiveness and sustainability.
3. International aid organizations often impose unrealistic and unfair procedures.
4. International aid organizations often impose agendas rather than respond to local ones.
5. Applying for funds takes too much time and effort.
6. Proposals and reports usually cannot be in Arabic, which is the local language.
7. Most donors fund using political criteria.
8. Many funding schemes are designed not to cover all costs.
9. There is insufficient local leadership in agenda-setting and decision-making.
10. Anti-terrorism certification is unacceptable.
11. Aid actors do not always fulfill their contractual obligations.

In the same research, Palestinian civil society appealed to international aid actors to consider these RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Select and evaluate civil society grantees fairly and transparently.
2. Fulfill commitments.
3. Respect local priorities and capacities.
4. Follow up…genuinely.
5. Don’t fund through unprofessional intermediaries.
6. Give aid on professional, not political, criteria.
7. Make the aid process more accessible and less burdensome.
8. Enable sustainability through longer and more flexible funding.
9. Invest in local capacity, not in INGOs at Palestinians’ expense.

Dalia Association’s advocacy for Palestinian rights to self-determination in development is outlined at www.Dalia.ps/advocacy. Scroll down for the complete report about grassroots civil society's experiences with international aid.

Anyone interested in joining the campaign to reform aid to Palestine can contact Dalia Association info (at) Dalia (dot) ps.