Palvision, in collaboration with the Rozana Association, the Jerusalem Tourism Cluster, and Youth Without Borders, and with the fund of the European Union, implemented Fanar project that aimed to promote tourism and cultural rights for sustainable development, based on gender equality, minority rights, and enhancing the diverse and rich cultural and tourist resources available in Palestine, especially in historically neglected rural and marginalized communities.
In 2023, 11 community-based organizations (CBOs) were selected and financially supported to implement cultural projects in the targeted areas for a duration of six months. These 11 CBOs were in different areas of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The total beneficiaries that the project grants targeted were: 70 youths aged 19-25, 90 women aged 30-55, 277 children, 12 elderly people, and 15 individuals with disabilities. Additionally, six advocacy tours were conducted to monitor and document violations falling within the framework of cultural rights, with the aim of raising awareness and effecting the necessary change in the project’s targeted communities. Furthermore, two national advocacy campaigns were implemented to support Beit Surik area and the villages of South Hebron (Al-Samu’ and Al-Thahiriya) through field activities aimed at promoting and preserving cultural and tourist rights. The campaign targeting Beit Surik took the form of a cultural festival designed to encourage people to visit and learn more about Beit Surik’s famous sights and traditions.
The campaign targeting the villages of Hebron (Al-Samu’ and Al-Thahiriya) was divided into more than three activities. Fifteen youths from the two towns were trained to be cultural and tour guides, equipping them with the knowledge to showcase their towns to visitors. Additionally, youths from the north of the West Bank were invited to visit Al-Samu’ and Al-Thahiriya in the south to enhance internal tourism ,in addition to the accountability session conducted between the Ministry of Tourism and the communities of Samu’ and Al-Thahiriya, where the ministry was questioned about their shortcomings in promoting and maintaining the towns’ sights and views.
