The Community Development and Continuing Education Institute at Palestine Ahliya University concluded the “Nashit” Project – Enhancing Youth Participation in the Democratic and Electoral Process, implemented in cooperation with the Central Elections Commission and funded by the European Union, within the framework of the “Partnership with Civil Society Organizations” project.
The closing event was held at the Palestine Ahliya University Theater, with the participation of representatives from the Central Elections Commission and partner institutions.
The event featured opening remarks highlighting the importance of the Nashit Project and its role in empowering youth and strengthening their political participation. Representatives of the Institute, partner institutions, and the Central Elections Commission addressed the audience. An open discussion session was held with participants, and the event concluded with honoring the partners in appreciation of their contributions and efforts throughout the implementation period.
The outcomes of the closing session reflected a growing interest among young people in participating in the upcoming local elections. Project leaders and beneficiaries considered this an important indicator of the success of efforts aimed at enhancing community participation, particularly among youth.
In this context, Khaled Shana’a, Executive Director of the Community Development and Continuing Education Institute, stated that the Institute and its partners successfully concluded the youth-focused Nashit Project. The project was implemented in cooperation with the Central Elections Commission and four grassroots institutions in villages across the Bethlehem and Hebron governorates: Al-Khader and Beit Fajjar in Bethlehem, and Beit Awwa and Sa’ir in Hebron.
Shana’a explained that the project focused on supporting community engagement related to local elections and aimed to increase awareness of the importance of electoral participation, particularly among underrepresented groups such as youth and women, while also working to raise voter registration rates among them.
He emphasized that one of the project’s key objectives was raising awareness about the amendments to the Elections Law under Decree-Law No. (23) of 2025, which addressed several aspects of the electoral system.
Shana’a expressed his satisfaction with the successful conclusion of the project and extended his gratitude to the Central Elections Commission and the grassroots partner institutions. He also expressed special appreciation to the participating youth for their cooperation and commitment to being active agents of change and contributing to building a generation aware of the importance of electoral participation.
For their part, representatives of the partner institutions expressed their appreciation for participating in the Nashit Project, noting that it provided a genuine opportunity to engage youth in diverse programs and activities that enhanced their awareness, understanding, and readiness to participate in the upcoming electoral process.
In this regard, Mr. Yousef Jbara Masalmeh, Deputy Director of the Central Elections Commission Office – Bethlehem, expressed his satisfaction with the partnership, emphasizing that cooperation with the Institute represents a distinguished model of joint work and that this project will not be the last. He also expressed pride in the professional level demonstrated during implementation and thanked the project team for their efforts.
Ms. Dima Zawahreh, Coordinator of the Nashit Project, stated that the project included numerous activities over the past months and served as an important platform to introduce youth to the details of the electoral process and the importance of their participation.
She added that the closing event featured a variety of activities and expressed hope that this conclusion would mark a new beginning for strengthening partnerships, expanding outreach, and serving as a positive step toward enhancing youth political participation in the electoral process.
In his remarks, Mr. Mohammad Masalmeh, a youth activist and Coordinator of the Beit Awwa Accountability Committee, announced the launch of the “Nashit Forum,” a youth forum emerging from the project that carries its name and continues its spirit. He affirmed that the forum is not merely an organizational framework, but a collective commitment to keep the dream alive—serving as an intellectual, cultural, and social beacon, a permanent space for dialogue, and a driving force for youth engagement.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Al-Za’tari, a trainee lawyer and participant in the Nashit Project, described his participation in the project—implemented through the partnership between the Central Elections Commission and the Community Development and Continuing Education Institute—as a successful and enriching experience.
Al-Za’tari noted that the project included training sessions on the Elections Law and the role of youth in the upcoming phase, in addition to debates, activities, and field visits to the headquarters of the Central Elections Commission, which contributed to deepening participants’ understanding of the electoral process and their future role within it.
