The GCMHP is a leading training, research and service provider organisation in the field of mental health. SDC supported GCMHP since 1994, to provide quality services in mental health and counselling, to set up a Women’s Empowerment Project, and a Human Rights Project, as well as support for Advocacy and Intervention.

GCMHP cooperates with several international and regional partners such as Physicians for Human Rights, an Israeli NGO. Core-funding to the organisation’s multi-layer program is provided in a harmonised set up with a group of likeminded donors from Holland, Sweden and Denmark . SDC is currently entrusted to act as the lead donor of the group. Budget: 2,25 Mio CHF Phase: 01.01.2008 - 31.12.2010 Website: http://www.gcmhp.net/

SDC supported TRC since 1997 and helped its establishment as an independent organisation. TR's work focuses on training, counselling, public awareness and advocacy on mental health issues. Its target population include, ex-detainees, victims of the recent Intifada and their families.
Training Activities at TRC	The organisation also works to increase and strengthen professional awareness and expertise in the areas of mental health and human rights and seeks to prevent further human rights abuse. Core funding for the program of TRC is also well coordinated with the other main donors namely the Dutch. Budget: o.315 Mio CHF Phase: 01.01.09 - 31.12.09 Website: www.trc-pal.org

The main objectives of the Palestinian Counselling Center are to improve the psychological well-being of individuals and groups that suffer from mental illness that affects their daily performance; minimise the danger of psychological, social, and academic problems; upgrade the capacities of individuals and institutions working in mental health and develop policies and capacities in mental health. PCC's main activities are in the field of remedial education, schools, individual and family counselling and referral activities as well as in advocacy community development program.

PCC / Socio Educational Department

PCC diversifies its activities in a decentralised manner with special focus on marginalised/isolated areas, people with special needs and East Jerusalem. The institution receives core funding for its programs from SDC, while other donors support PCC with project and/or earmarked funding. Budget: 0.357 Mio CHF Phase: 01.01.09 - 31.12.09 Website: http://www.pcc-jer.org/

SDC supported this Community Based Youth Participation and Development Project since its inception in 1996, through UNDP. As a result of its continued successful work it became an independent organisation under the name of Sharek Youth Forum in 2005. By mobilising an important driving force of youth volunteers and targeting youth aged between 14 and 25 Sharek is able to achieve an efficient form of community development. Through its programs that are designed to address education, sports and information technology, Sharek aims at supporting and building the capacities of young people in order to enhance their active participation in the process of youth development.

Sharek Program

The project and its team has received a special UN award for poverty eradication during 2004 and has received special recognition by UNICEF. On August 1st 2006 SDC signed a new agreement with Sharek Youth Forum for a period of three and a half years and covering Sharek's three main programs. Budget: 1,67 Mio CHF Phase: 01.08.06 - 31.12.09 Website: www.sharek.ps

Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR)

ICHR is the National Human Rights Commission in Gaza and West Bank with an ombudsman function at its core. SDC has provided support for ICHR since 1998, currently SDC is part of a core funding group comprising of like minded donors who jointly share the program contribution to ICHR. The objectives of the commission can be briefly summed ups as follows: Investigate and follow-up on complaints with official and non-official parties; Adopt public cases, cases that are deemed to be of public interest; Monitor the activities and performance of public and semi-public institutions; Ensure accountability and transparency in performance of Palestinian public and semi-public institutions; Consolidate the judicial and legislative authorities and safeguard the freedom of expression and opinion; Review and present commentaries on laws and draft legislation, and submit recommendations to either enact or amend laws, to ensure conformity with international human rights standards and principles. Disseminate legal awareness and familiarise citizens with their rights and freedoms and with the mechanisms to protect and defend their rights.

Budget: 1.51 Mio CHF
Phase: 01/05/2008 – 31/12/2010
Website: www.ichr.ps 

Culture & Free Thought Association/ Khan Younis

CFTA Children Centre

The Culture and Free Thought Association is a grassroots organization that serves the people of the community without discrimination on any basis. Each year the Association works with an average of 10,000 people (children, youth, women and associations), and this is mainly accomplished through the Association’s varied activities and daily functions. However, a number of the Association’s projects target specific groups through special programmes. CFTA’s mission is to promote the values of civil society through implementing a set of programmes and activities aimed at advancing societal awareness in all relevant fields; including cultural, sociological, recreational, educational, health and economic. Through its numerous activities and projects, it continues to provide vital services to children, youth and women.
SDC has been providing support to CFTA (The Culture and Free Thought Association) on bilateral basis for a number of years. 2006 and beyond will mark a significant leap forward for CFTA. With support from SDC and other donors they will be moving from project funding to core funding. The core funding to CFTA’s 3 year programme is in line with the Millennium Development Goals and SDC’s Country Strategy.

Budget: 0.357 Mio CHF
Phase:  01/01/2009 – 31/12/2009
Website: http://www.cfta-ps.org/ 

The Jerusalem Fund:

‘The Jerusalem Fund’ is created at the PLO chairman office to support relevant community-based organizations in East Jerusalem (including NGOs, CBOs, campaigns, clubs, charities and neighborhood committees). The support will primarily be directed at concrete activities/projects implemented at the grass-root level, with 3 thematic focus on Social development, Cultural empowerment and Legal protection.

The project meets SDC strategic objective to enhance prospects of peace through capacity building of civil society organizations, in close coordination with governmental bodies to provide legal aid, raise awareness of human, economic, social & cultural rights, and promote a culture of peace and tolerance among the local community in Jerusalem instead of negligence and despair.

Budget: 0.5 Mio CHF
Phase: 01/01/2008 – 30/06/2009