Grants and Contributions:
Over a three-year period, Canada will invest $15 million through UNDP/PAPP to advance democratic governance and inclusive electoral processes in Palestine. The project will deliver technical assistance to the Central Elections Commission (CEC) and Electoral Management Board, support civil society organizations (CSOs) – including youth, women, and persons with disabilities (PwD) organizations – through grants and capacity-building, and deploy digital tools to enhance transparency and civic outreach (digital solutions for complaints handling, observer reporting, and public communication). Activities will include voter education, election observation, and targeted engagement with youth, women, PwD, Bedouins, and refugees. The immediate expected results are:
• strengthened institutional capacity of electoral bodies to manage inclusive and credible elections;
• increased civic participation and public confidence in electoral processes; and
• enhanced engagement of civil society in democratic governance.
The intermediate expected results are:
• greater trust in democratic institutions and processes;
• improved representation of marginalized groups in civic and political life; and
• strengthened social cohesion and reduced political polarization.
These results contribute to the ultimate outcome of fostering inclusive, accountable, and democratic governance in Palestine, consistent with the project’s theory of change and Canada’s foreign policy priorities. Indirect beneficiaries include over 2 million Palestinians across the West Bank and Gaza. GAC will measure success by using indicators such as the number of electoral stakeholders trained; the number of civic engagement and voter education activities conducted (including student council elections, debate clubs, and union elections); participation rates disaggregated by gender, age, disability, and location (e.g. youth and women candidates in local elections); public perception of electoral credibility and civic trust (tracked through the Social Cohesion Barometer and national polls); and institutional preparedness for elections (including digital systems, infrastructure upgrades, and readiness of the CEC and the Palestinian Legislative Council Secretariat). The project will use results-based monitoring, including UNDP/PAPP institutional assessments, third-party evaluations, and GAC field visits. A dedicated advocacy and communications strategy will highlight Canada’s role, supported by co-branded events, media campaigns, and public outreach to reinforce Canada’s leadership in democratic development and stabilization in Palestine.
The main purpose on the International Development Assistance Program is to reduce poverty for those living in countries where Global Affairs Canada engages in international development.