The EU Partnership for Peace Programme

he global objective of this Call for Proposals is to help support the conditions for a negotiated solution and provide a solid foundation at civil society and intergovernmental level for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, by strengthening and increasing direct civil society relationships and inter-agency/intergovernmental co-operation based on equality and reciprocity between communities affected by the conflict (Palestinians and Israelis, including the Arab minority in Israel, and neighbouring Arabs). 

The specific objective of this Call for Proposals is to strengthen civil society actions aimed at promoting peace and confidence building in order to broaden the base of support to a negotiated solution of the conflict. The programme intends to support practical actions aiming at building mutual trust, building capacity for conflict resolution, launching joint development initiatives, and empowering marginalized groups. 

Priority 1. Cross community cooperation: Joint concrete actions for socio-economic development Definition Actions under this priority shall address local practical and strategic needs in terms of development and quality of life, likely to produce tangible results for peaceful coexistence.

Actions shall promote and include people-to-people cooperation on shared interests, while focusing on specific issues such as environment, health, water management, municipality issues, community development, business, etc. 

Target groups: The target groups could be: local communities, grass roots organisations or movements and local authorities.  Single groups, such as youth, women, professionals, local decision-makers, farmers, etc., can be put in focus. Actions involving local communities as a whole, thus producing multilevel and long term impact, will be particularly encouraged. 

Mandatory requirements: Actions under this priority must propose joint action between Jewish and Arab communities at national and/or cross-border level.

Priority 2. Peace building education, communication and confidence building

Definition

Actions under this priority shall promote tolerance, mutual understanding and confidence both internally (national reconciliation) and externally (cross-border level).

Actions shall cover the following areas of intervention:

- Capacity building and activities promoting non-violent approaches to conflict resolution;

- Educational programmes designed to address attitudes, stereotypes, prejudices, and to raise awareness of the "other's" narrative;

- Joint cultural and entertainment activities 

Actions under this priority can be undertaken either at country (national or local) or cross-border level. 

Target groups

The target groups could be: local communities, grass roots organisations or movements, local governments, official and unofficial opinion formers, leaders, public persons, students, media, youth and women's organisations, non-violent movements, etc. 

Actions targeting significant and radical communities/parties who would not usually be involved in such activities are particularly encouraged. Focusing on youth is an added value. 

Priority 3. Awareness raising of leaders and opinion-formers, public opinion and media through increased involvement of women in the peace and security sphere

Definition

In the spirit of the Comprehensive Approach to the EU Implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 on Women, Peace and Security, actions under this priority will support women as active stakeholders.

Actions under this priority will explore political options in the framework of the two-state solution, which may be agreeable to all involved parties, as well as put into operation the existing visions of a future peaceful relationship between Israel, the oPt, and the Arab neighbours, through increasing knowledge and awareness of possible solutions to the conflict. These actions are intended to support leaders to work toward the

resolution of the conflict.