SDC cooperation office in the oPt has a small credit line of CHF 200’000 per annum dedicated for supporting cultural activities in the oPt. This credit line has existed since 1997 with the aim to preserve and enrich the Palestinian cultural heritage and identity and yet to provide opportunities for Palestinian artistic growth and survival while hoping that the artistic environment would be enhanced enough to become rich, challenging and encouraging to new creative cultural initiatives.

Since its start, the cultural activities credit line has supported different cultural organizations and artists with different cultural activities: fine art, theatre, music, dance, festivals, etc., most of which left a profound impact on the Palestinian society especially the outreach activities targeting children and disadvantaged people in neglected or severely affected areas.

Palestinian public organizations and Palestinian NGOs working in the field of culture and recognized by the Ministry of Culture can apply for financial support under this credit line, in addition to Palestinian individual artists and groups.

Yabous Culltural Centre - former Al Quds Cinema

The project aims at developing a professional performance facility in East Jerusalem (former Al Quds Cinema), fully equipped with all the technical equipment for music and cinema purposes and open to all sectors of the society. The cultural center will help in recreating a regular cultural program in order to re-establish a cultural life in East Jerusalem which will contribute to individual as well as to social wellbeing.

Budget: 0.75 Mio CHF
Phase:  <>01/11/2006 – 31/12/2009
Website: www.yabous.org

On March 2005 a small action budget line was opened to allow the SDC office to respond quickly to requests for funding small projects and initiatives. Most of these proposals include actions complementary to existing program interventions, are of strategic value and are of limited scale and short time nature requiring small scale finances.

Budget: 0,20 Mio CHF

Phase:  01/05/2009 – 30/04/2010