Many young people from Israel’s Arab community at the ages of 18-25 find themselves socially excluded, and cope with barriers to full integration in Israeli society as a whole, oftentimes feeling alienated from the active civilian society in the country. Against this background, and in collaboration with Israel’s National Insurance Institute, the Gandyr Foundation, the Joint’s Yated program, and the Lautman Fund, the innovative Midad program was created with the aim of promoting social involvement among young people from the Arab community and establish a sustainable infrastructure in the community that allows them to become an active and influential part of society for the long-term.
The program comprises leadership workshops aimed at cultivating personal and social capabilities and skills, assessment of needs within the community, the establishment of ongoing dialogue with the local municipality and the development of projects in the community. The vision underpinning the program is for its graduates to remain involved and active members of the community for the long-term, thereby promoting the social cohesion in Israel and increasing their sense of belonging.
