Present Projects

Project title: Mobilising Media to Empower Citizens and Civil Society for Human Rights, Democratic Reform and Intra-Palestinian Reconciliation

Location: The West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem 
Cost of the project: 323 921 EUR     
Donors to the project: European Commission (EIDHR)
Amount contributed by donor: 288 289 EUR
Dates: April 2011 – October 2013

Objective:To develop media capacity and facilitate conditions in human rights reporting for journalists and civil society actors to better inform and engage with the Palestinian public on human rights and governance issues.

Expected Results:

• Improved capacity of 60 journalists to investigate and report on human rights and governance issues, actively promote press freedom and free expression and respond to any violations through a professional support network.

• Greater public engagement on human rights and democracy issues through blog entries (10 per month for the 12 month production phase) submitted by participating journalists representatives from NGOs/CSOs and citizens and participatory radio and TV programmes.

• Increased access to information on crucial human rights and governance issues through regular TV, radio and print feature stores and investigative reports published online. Two TV features, four radio features and seven online features will be produced per month for the 12 month media production phase of the project.

• Increased opportunities for citizens to directly hold decision makers to accountable through the media.

• Strengthened resource base for CSOs to improve their public awareness campaign.

• Increased levels of consultation between media and civil society, particularly between those in the West Bank and those in Gaza.

Project title: Empowering Citizens, Civil Society and Media to Demand Accountability and Good Governance in the oPt

Location: oPt
Cost of the project: $81 463 (USD)
Donors to the project: Foundation for the Future
Amount contributed by donor: $81 463 (USD)
Dates: October 2011 – September 2012

Objective:To increase adherence to standards of democratic governance  in the oPt by using the media as a channel of communication to increase pressure for accountability and enhance dialogue and consultation between the public, civil society and decision makers.

Expected Results (the project is ongoing):

• Enhanced capacity of 10 Palestinian journalists to act as a vehicle for transparency and citizen participation in governance processes

• Increased openness and inclusiveness in decision-making of at least 8 Palestinian Ministers

• Increased citizens’ access to information about standards of governance and how to participate in governance processes

• Enhanced contribution of civil society to media programming on public policy

• Expanded knowledge base throughout the Palestinian media sector on the role of media in good governance 

Selected Past Projects

Project title: Development of Independent Palestinian Television

Location: oPt
Cost of the project: $690 000 (USD)
Donors to the project: Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), US State Department (as sub-grantee of Search for Common Ground)
Amount contributed by donor: $690 000 (USD)
Dates: July 2010 – November 2011                                     

Objective: Strengthen the role of free and independent media in Palestinian society

Results:

• Quality of the one hour news broadcast (News Bulletin) and other programming (Intibaha, Zoom In & Palestine this Evening increased to regional satellite standards

• The quality and diversity of Ma’an programming that supports democratic values and a  pluralistic society is increased

Project title: Empowering Transparency through Effective Secular Media

Location: The West Bank and Gaza
Cost of the project: 2,339,375 EUR
Donors to the project: Department for International Development (DFID)
Amount contributed by donor: 2,339,375 EUR
Dates: October 2008 – September 2011                                          

Objective:The project aimed to strengthen independent secular media as a catalyst for governmental accountability and responsiveness in the oPt. Using media to amplify public demands for accountability and facilitate citizen input in governance processes in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the organisation aimed to contribute to building a culture of demand for good governance.

Results:

The project focussed on investigative and participatory journalism, utilising television, radio, and online reporting to increase access to information, institutionalise dialogue between Palestinian citizens and decision-makers, and give voice to marginalised groups. The project also established a research unit at Ma'an Network to survey public needs and attitudes on media and governance, monitor public reaction to our media productions, and evaluate our programming quality and impact. Key outputs included providing Palestinians with more independent information and detailed reporting on governance issues, and increasing the possibility for citizens to hold government officials accountable. 

Project title: Media Productions Promoting EU Activities in the Palestinian Territories and Advancing Regional Cooperation and Public Understanding

Location: The West Bank and Gaza
Cost of the project: 600 000 EUR
Donors to the project: European Commission (ENPI Regional Information and Communication Programme)
Amount contributed by donor: 600 000 EUR
Dates: January 2009 – February 2010                                        

Objectives:

•To increase Palestinian knowledge of the European Union, EU institutions, and EU cooperation activities in the oPt

•To promote Euro-Palestinian dialogue and mutual understanding through innovative media programmes portraying the human face of EU-Palestinian relations

This project was part of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) Regional Information and Communication Programme.

Results:

Production and broadcasting of the following:

•Palestinian University Challenge: The first national TV quiz show (12 TV episodes) to be produced in the oPt before a live audience, this programme targeted university and college students.

•TV documentaries regarding Palestinian students in Europe

•Ad campaign on EU activities in the oPt

•14 TV feature stories on EU-funded projects in the oPt

•“East and West” weekly radio talk show

•“From Here and There” weekly radio quiz show – 13 episodes

Project title: Public Awareness Campaign on Livestock Diseases and Media Training

Location: The West Bank
Cost of the project: 9,289.50 EUR
Donors to the project: UNDP
Amount contributed by donors: 9,289.50 EUR
Dates: December 2008 – February 2009

Objectives:

• Build the capacity of staff members from the Information and Media Department from the Ministry of Agriculture.

• Design and facilitate a public awareness campaign on controlling and prevention of Brucellosis disease in the oPt.

Ma’an Network sought to train staff from the Ministry of Agriculture to manage and prepare TV and radio seminars to raise awareness of issues related to Agricultural Affairs.

Results:

• 10 staff members from the Information and Media Department of the Ministry of Agriculture attended 7 full days of training.

• 3 episodes and 2 spots were produced to be broadcast on Ma’an Radio and TV network; highlighting the importance of controlling Brucellosis and the actions needed to protect the Palestinian public from the disease.

• A slogan was produced and published on March 1st, 2009 to be broadcast for two months on Ma’an News Agency website (www.maannews.net) targeting relevant professionals in order to enhance their role in controlling the spread of diseases.

Project title: Investigative TV Talk Show, "Hard Questions"

Location: The West Bank and Gaza
Cost of the project: 732,942 EUR
Donors to the project: Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), US State Department
Amount contributed: 732,942 EUR
Dates: June 2008 – December 2009                                 

Objectives:

• Report on critical political issues affecting Palestinians in a multi-faceted manner and  broaden public debate

• Strengthen the capacities of Ma'an Network staff and member stations to produce high-quality investigative television programs

This weekly current affairs program provided in-depth analysis on political and social issues, featuring prominent governmental and civil society representatives as guests. Hosted by Nasser Lahham and broadcast on Ma'an Network member stations and the Palestinian satellite channel, each one-hour episode included an investigative feature giving background on the weekly topic, followed by a panel discussion (sometimes with live audience participation). These two elements were supplemented by pre-recorded footage of people on the street giving their opinions on the weekly topic. Subjects tackled included Palestinian refugees, the Fatah General Conference, freedom of the press and threats to Palestinian journalists, higher education policy, the situation in Gaza, the Hamas-Fatah reconciliation talks, and the February 2009 Israeli elections. The aim was to go beyond the headlines to investigate and analyze important issues, present viewers with diverse perspectives, and promote informed public debate.

Results:

• 60 episodes were produced and broadcast during 2008 - 2009.

Project title: Safety Training for journalists in Gaza Strip

Location: The West Bank
Cost of the project: 28,583.1 EUR
Donors to the project: UNESCO
Amount contributed: 28,583.1 EUR
Dates: May 2009- August 2009

Objectives:

• To improve Palestinian journalists' ability to operate safely in conflict zones

Results:

• Training took place during July 2009 and included 30 journalists from the Gaza Strip

Medical kits, bullet proof vests and helmets were donated to participating media outlets following the completion of the training course.