From Achievements on the Ground to Planning the Next Program
This month, the Mawared – “For Growth” Summit 2025 took place in Nazareth, bringing together nearly 200 participants from Arab local authorities, government ministries, civil society bodies, and philanthropic foundations.
The conference concluded six significant years of Mawared’s activity and marked the starting point for discussions about the road ahead — for the coming year and in preparation for the next five-year plan for Arab society.
During the summit, impressive growth figures were presented, demonstrating Mawared’s direct impact:
- Requests for government funding increased by 5.8 times
- Approved budgets grew by 4 times
- Executed budgets increased by 3.75 times
These figures complement the implementation of Government Resolution 550, under which more than 6,600 projects are currently being carried out in Arab society — in education, infrastructure, employment, and culture — transforming residents’ lives in real terms.
“A Structural, Not a Temporary Solution”
In his remarks at the summit, Uri Gil, CEO of Joint-Elka, emphasized the uniqueness of the initiative:
“From the outset, it was clear that Mawared is not a one-time response, but a deep structural platform for action — innovative in its design, unique in the roles it created, and, above all, in the partnership that drives it forward,” he said.
“Mawared proves that when the government, local authorities, and civil society work together with a shared commitment, partnership can turn into real implementation and meaningful change on the ground.”
Salima Mustafa Suleiman, Deputy Director of the Authority for the Economic Development of the Minorities Sector, also addressed the challenges and opportunities:
“At this point in time, as the five-year plan enters its final year, we look back at the achievements that are already transforming the local authorities — and forward to the challenges ahead.
Our shared responsibility is to plan and refine the next steps. Real success cannot be achieved without full engagement from the field.
That’s why, in the coming year, we will deepen our dialogue and collaboration and call for everyone’s commitment to this journey.”
Behind the Program: Origins and Vision
Mawared — an initiative for resource optimization and economic development in Arab local authorities — is a partnership between the Ministry for Social Equality, the Ministry of the Interior, and Joint-Elka.
The initiative was born out of the understanding that historic government resolutions — most notably Resolutions 922 and 1480 — could bring about genuine change in Arab society only if local authorities were equipped with the tools to realize their full potential.
To this end, a new role was established within local authorities: “Resource Maximizer and Economic Developer.”
These professionals work to strengthen municipal systems, improve coordination with government ministries, create partnerships with civil society and philanthropic organizations — and, above all, to turn promised budgets into tangible change on the ground.
A Broad Partnership for Success
Mawared is the result of a far-reaching cross-sector collaboration that brings together government, local authorities, civil society, and philanthropy.
The impressive results presented at the 2025 Summit are a testament to the initiative’s power and to the potential that lies ahead.
This broad partnership will continue to drive economic and social growth in Arab local authorities — ensuring that the next five-year plan, too, will move from a written promise to real, everyday change in the lives of residents.
