The H2 area in Hebron is one of the most tense and restricted zones in the West Bank, where thousands of Palestinians—especially women, children, and youth—live under severe movement restrictions and access to basic services. In this fragile context, community-led, inclusive interventions are urgently needed. UNDP-supported projects address both urgent humanitarian needs and long-term development by empowering marginalized groups, improving access to services, and fostering social cohesion and community stability.
Creating A Safe Space to Enhance Resilience and Social Cohesion in H2 Area
The “Aman” Project, funded by the Government of Germany through its development bank KfW and implemented by UNDP/PAPP under the Investment Programme for Resilience (IPR III), in collaboration with the Psycho-Social Counseling Center for Women (PSCCW), Tariq Bin Ziad Community Center, Hebron Municipality, and other local partners, aims to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable populations—particularly women, youth, children, and persons with disabilities (PwD)—living in the highly volatile H2 area of Hebron.
The project focuses on the creation of a safe and inclusive space that offers integrated services aligned with the needs of the local population. These services include mental health support, legal aid, protection services, vocational and life skills training, and youth engagement programs. Through this holistic approach, the project provides a critical platform for empowerment, healing, and social connection in one of the most restricted and conflict-affected areas in the West Bank.
Khalled Al-Lahham, Aman Project Coordinator says: “The ‘Aman’ initiative emerged in response to the difficult living conditions and urgent need for a safe space for women, children, and youth in the H2 area of Hebron. It faces worsening social challenges and lack of access to essential services”.
The newly established safe space, located on top of the Tareq Bin Ziad Community Center (a public facility owned by the municipality), is designed to serve as a multi-functional center that provides sports facilities for both male and female members of the community.
Strengthening Social Fabric: Activities Driving Change Under the “Aman” Project
Since the project’s launch in August 2024, the Psycho-Social Counseling Center for Women (PSCCW), has implemented various community cohesion activities targeting women, children, and youth. A group of local volunteers from Hebron H2 was mobilized to take part in diverse activities, including psychosocial support for women survivors of violence, advanced training on nonviolence, emotional relief sessions for school children, psychosocial support sessions to help people cope with daily pressures, build mutual support networks, and intensive youth training on their role in promoting civil peace, social cohesion, and defending the rights of marginalized groups.
Khaled adds: “The center provides specialized support for women survivors of violence through individual and group counseling, protection services, and referrals for legal or social intervention. These confidential sessions focus on empowerment, self-confidence, and coping skills, with ongoing follow-up to ensure their safety and well-being”
The center also organized dialogue sessions between youth and key community stakeholders, including representatives from local institutions, decision-makers, and tribal leaders, to discuss major community issues such as volunteering and civil peace.
Anhar, 38 years, says: “I participated in several psychosocial support workshops organized by Aman Center, where we learned proper breathing techniques and how to manage our emotions, especially anger and anxiety. I found them to be very helpful.”
Mo’men Abu Snineh, 26 years old, praises the experience, saying:
“I participated in the dialogue sessions organized by Aman Center, and I even facilitated one of them. One session that had a strong impact on me was the one about the role of women in society. It helped me understand how women contribute to social change, the challenges they face, and how we can support them.”
Islam Obaid, 23 years old, agrees with Mo’men about the workshops organized by Aman Center and says:
“The dialogue sessions organized by Aman center were a safe space for us as youth to express our opinions freely. Also, participating in the activities gave us the opportunity to find someone who embraces our creative ideas.”
Aman Center as the First Green Building in Hebron Governorate
PSCCW in collaboration with Hebron Municipality has been working on registering Aman Center as the first green building in Hebron Governorate, focusing on resource efficiency reducing energy, water, and materials use compared to conventional buildings —making it a unique and innovative model in the area. Sustainability efforts include installing systems to recycle and reuse wastewater from the Tareq Bin Ziad community center, along with solar power systems to generate electricity. Hydroponic farming systems were also installed inside the center, to be maintained by local women interested in agriculture. This empowers them to grow healthy crops as part of their group therapy sessions, strengthening community solidarity.
The Aman project integrates environmental sustainability across all activities, focusing on youth and community awareness. Youth-led initiatives include cleaning campaigns in the H2 area, recycling, tree and flower planting, and reducing plastic waste. Awareness campaigns further promote environmental protection within the community.
Additionally, women from Hebron H2 were trained in hydroponic farming at a new garden in front of the center. This promotes sustainable agriculture while offering a space for psychological relief and practical learning.
“I’ve always been passionate about agriculture. After six years of traditional farming, I joined hydroponic training to explore a more sustainable and efficient method, especially in saving water. My goal is to one day build a greenhouse and use my rooftop for hydroponic farming.” Zuhaira Da’na, 50 years old, a participant in the hydroponic farming training at Aman Center
Coming Together for a Stronger Hebron
The “Aman” project is a strong model of multi-stakeholder collaboration in H2 Hebron. The Hebron Municipality supported the project by supervising engineering works, providing public facilities, and strengthening ties with local institutions. The Aman Center was built on top of the Tareq Bin Ziad Community Center —owned and managed by the municipality—allowing broader community outreach, especially among youth and women in Hebron H2. The Hebron Chamber of Commerce also partnered with PSCCW to support vocational and social cohesion activities. Together, these efforts created an inclusive space that addresses the needs of vulnerable groups in one of Hebron’s most marginalized areas.
The Aman project serves around 33,000 residents, with 903 participants involved in various community activities. It has generated 115 jobs during construction, 1,595 workdays, and 5 temporary positions through community-based initiatives. Beyond service delivery, the project promotes social cohesion and long-term recovery by addressing marginalization. Its core achievement is creating a safe, inclusive space that offers learning, psychosocial support, and community engagement—empowering women, children, and youth in H2. The initiative reflects UNDP’s commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and locally driven development in fragile areas like H2 Hebron.
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