Ramallah - Gaza:

PFESP received Professor Maria Sassi from the University of Pavia, Italy. It is a part of a visit aimed at completing activities related to the research study on models of economic establishments of a social nature. It is under the framework of the "Peace Steps" project.

The visit included many research and analytical activities. The most prominent of which was a review of the data collected by PFESP during the past months. It witnessed its implementation of a systematic data collection process from a sample of 44 institutions, and varied between cooperatives, charitable, and community associations.

The determination of this sample came after a comprehensive survey process of all official institutions registered with the relevant ministries. It implemented by the Coordinator of PFESP's Research and Capacity Building Program.

The survey process followed by an inventory of institutions and associations closest to the research methodology. The team work represented by PFESP and the University of Pavia. In addition to the project management from the “Vento Di Terra” Foundation, by putting a definition of an economic establishments of a social nature as those institutions that use commercial activities or self-activities permanently generating income. In order to achieve social goals and a public good, to make sure that these activities are implemented according to the spirit of entrepreneurial initiative, to achieve a social or environmental goal or the public benefit clearly and explicitly. The target group (the beneficiaries) is the goal and the ultimate goal of these activities.

In the same context, a number of exploratory visits were done to Bedouin societies targeted by the "Peace Steps" project, with the aim of introducing Professor Sassi more closely to the Palestinian economic context, and also, to share with her the most important developments of the project. Sahari Association in West Bank was visited in the Bedouin sea surface region, which specializes in providing alternative domestic tourism services, as well as the "Peace Steps" association in the Hebron Governorate, which produces leather goods such as shoes and bags.

In the Gaza Strip, Sassi visited the Zeina Association in the village of Umm Al-Nasr. She met members of the administrative body, who briefed her on the progress of the association’s work, its goals, and the nature of activities currently implementing under the supervision of PFESP to build the association’s capabilities and to work towards enabling it and maintaining its viability.

The final results of this research study are expected to see the light of day during January 2020. Closing conferences will be held in the presence of all relevant and interest parties of this topic to discuss the results and come up with recommendations and promote them at the local and international levels.

It is worth noting that the "Peace Steps" Project implemented by the Italian Association "Vento Di Terra," and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. The Peace Steps project aims to promote comprehensive and sustainable economic and social growth in Palestinian societies. In particular, the project aims, through its multiple components, to spread and promote economic practices within frameworks of social solidarity and economic integration in order to provide job opportunities and achieve sustainable, inclusive, fair economic development for youth and women, especially in marginalized Bedouin societies in Area C.