Our Programs are based in 4 sectors

WPA Programs

Protection

Ensure protection of Palestinian refugee women and girls from all risks of violence, abuse and discrimination through promotion of gender equality and women’s rights, and commit to women’s and girls’ empowerment.   

Education

Support in retaining Palestinian refugee children at risk of dropping out in schools, and prepare dropped out children for re-engagement with education or for vocational training toward employment.

Livelihood

Enhance the capacity and assets of Palestinian refugee women and youth to support themselves and their households into sustainable livelihoods and economic stability.   

Social Stability

Improve and build relationships and cooperation between different communities and establish inclusive structures within them for conflict transformation, leading change and managing their affairs. 

Sector : Protection

The program ensures protection of vulnerable populations from all risks of abuse and violation. It specifically targets Palestinian refugee women and girls, with the engagement of men and other community groups through a variety of services and interventions that focus on gender, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), gender equality, discrimination, and women’s rights.

Three projects are implemented in 2022, namely, Bizkaii II, Basque II, and Navara II, with the objective of promoting a protective environment through active community engagement in practices that reduce vulnerability to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). These projects are funded by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

 

 
 

Bizkaii II Project - 2022​

Imagine a world where women and girls are free to live their lives without fear of violence and discrimination. This is the vision of the Bizkaii II Project – 2022, a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing the capacities of communities on women’s rights and Gender-Based violence (GBV).

At the heart of the project was the idea that by working with young men, we could change the conversation around gender and prevent violence against women and girls. This was a challenging task, but through the tireless efforts of eight young men trained on ABAAD’s “Program Ra” manual on masculinities and the support of 120 male youth, we were able to make a breakthough. In refugee camps across the country, from Beddawi to Nahr El Bared in the North, Burj El Barajneh in Beirut, and Wavel in Beqaa, we were able to challenge harmful stereotypes, break down barriers, and promote a message of respect, empathy, and equality.

The Bizkaii II Project of 2022 is not just a project. It is a call to action, a testament to the power of community and collaboration. It was a ray of hope for a better tomorrow, a world where women and girls are free to live, learn, and thrive without fear or discrimination.

Basque II Project - 2022

The Basque II Project is a transformative initiative that seeks to empower and uplift Palestinian communities in Lebanon through a range of innovative and impactful activities. With a strong focus on promoting gender equality and preventing gender-based violence, this project aims to build resilience among Palestinian communities, supporting them to thrive and grow.

 

By promoting gender equality, preventing GBV, and building resilience, WPA is striving to foster a safer, more equitable society for all.

Navara II Project - 2022​

Introducing the Navara II Project – a transformative initiative that aims to provide access to high-quality prevention and response services for individuals at risk and survivors of gender-based violence. Our goal is to empower women and girls to take control of their lives, develop vital life-skills, and receive the psychological support they need to overcome the challenges they face.

At the heart of the Navara II Project is a commitment to delivering life-changing psychological support services. Through individual and group sessions held at the Women’s Programs Association (WPA) centers, we aim to equip women and girls with the tools they need to make important decisions, manage their emotions, and build self-respect and self-realization. Our sessions are designed to be engaging and effective, utilizing a range of techniques such as lecturing, games, exercises, and group work.

  • We also use ABAAD’s Toolkit “Basic Life Skills for Women & Girls at risk or Survivors of GBV,” which covers essential themes such as social conformity, sexual abuse, rape, economic empowerment, and health. By providing a comprehensive range of life-skills training, we aim to help women and girls become self-sufficient and take control of their lives.

 

Sector : Education

The program aims to retain children at risk of dropping out in schools and prepare those dropped out for re-engagement with education or for vocational training toward employment.

 
 

Youth Basic Literacy and Numeracy – MEHE Curriculum Project - 2022

Targets around 300 Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese youth aged 14 to 24 years, girls and boys, who are basically out of school and residing in Burj El Barajneh camp, Beddawi camp and Ein El Hilweh camp and surroundings. Teaching this age group in the current context is challenging, as many are already working and may have been discouraged by the traditional classroom teaching. Thus for teaching to be effective, this project focuses on skills and competencies that are most likely to produce immediate benefits for their lives and be compatible with their jobs and/or living conditions.

This project is funded by ANERA.

Empowered Community in Action – 2022

Aims to mobilize communities to improve practices related to the use of safe drinking water, sanitation and environmental resources are improved along with the relevant COVID-19 responses; by improving practices on safe hygienic and precautionary measures related to COVID-19, environmental hygiene and safe hygiene. Awareness activities are conducted targeting camp population and distribution of hygiene kits are made.

This project is implemented in Burj El Barajneh camp, Ein El Hilweh camp, Beddawi camp and Nahr El Bared camp and funded by ANERA.

Education and Psychosocial Activities Project - 2022

Provides 100 Palestinian and Syrian children in Burj El Barajneh Camp, aged 6 to 13 years, with six months formal education in community setting with enhanced understanding of key areas of the schools’ curriculum and with skills and knowledge that will support their vocational journey toward employment. The children are also provided with psycho-social support and stress management using active learning activities. Throughout the duration of the project, all children benefit from daily breakfast and four one-day field trip.

The project is implemented WPA’s Nour center in Burj El Barajneh camp and is funded by the Centre for Global Education.

1001 Nights Civic Education and Social Cohesion Program – 2022

Targets Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese children, 7 to 12 years old, residing in Palestinian camps and surroundings, with series of episodes called 1001 Nights which aim to engage children and teach them life skills and citizenship education in informal school environments using cartoons. With each episode developed to teach a different civic value, the program’s 40 lessons plan curriculum stimulates critical thinking skills, citizenship values, empathy and civil rights.

This project is funded by INITIATE and is implemented in WPA’s eight centers in Burj El Barajneh, Ein El Hilweh, Wavel, El Buss, Rashidieh, Burj El Shemali, Beddawi and Nahr El Bared.

Supporting and Tutoring at Risk Students in UNRWA Schools (S.T.A.R.S) – 2022

Aims to retain children who are still at UNRWA school, but have been showing signs for dropping out, through addressing the reasons underlying these signs in a comprehensive approach. Multifaceted prevention measures will be adopted through close collaboration between UNRWA Education Program at school level, WPA in the area and targeted children and their families. 

The project will be implemented in Beddawi camp and will target 30 students, aged 13 to 15 years, at Beddawi Intermediate schools Ramleh and Mazar with funding covered by Taawon.

Sector : Livelihood

Fostering Inclusive Career Choices, Resilience and Agency (FICCRA) – 2022

Aims to build youth and adolescents’ capacity and potentials with marketable skills relevant to market demand and opportunities. The project targets 1,700 youth who will be provided with career guidance and orientation, out of which 300 will be enrolled in vocational institutions to learn a vocation compatible with the market needs and 75 others  will undergo entrepreneurship training after which selective number will be assisted with seed capital to start their enterprise. The project is implemented in Tyre in the South in three camps, namely, El Buss and Rashidieh and B/ Shemali and four gatherings, namely, Jal El Bahr and Qasmieh and Shabriha and Al Maashouq and is funded by Right To Play (RTP). 

The project will be implemented in Beddawi camp and will target 30 students, aged 13 to 15 years, at Beddawi Intermediate schools Ramleh and Mazar with funding covered by Taawon.

My Career, My Choice – 2022

Imagine having the opportunity to take control of your career and build a successful future. That’s exactly what the “My Career, My Choice” project offers to young Palestinian refugee women aged between 18 and 29.

It started in October 2022 and will continue until 2025. Funded by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Secours Islamique France (SIF) and implemented in two refugee camps in Lebanon, Beddawi and Burj El Barajneh, this project provides life skills training, career counseling, vocational training, and job placement to empower women to achieve their dreams.

The program offers diverse life skills training, encompassing English language proficiency, computer proficiency, job search skills, and essential life skills.

The “My Career, My Choice” project is a unique initiative that aims to make a significant difference in the lives of 540 young women by providing them with life skills and vocational training, to lead a successful life and build a rewarding career. The project is an example of how education and training can make a positive impact on society.

WEE (Empowering Women & Addressing Food Insecurity Through Women-Led Community Kitchens) – 2022

The WEE Project is not just another initiative, it’s a groundbreaking collaboration between the Women’s Programs Association (WPA) and Initiate. With funding from UN Women, this project was launched in October 2022 to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time – food insecurity – while also empowering women in camps. This project is implemented in Ein El Hilweh, Rashidieh and Beddawi camps in Lebanon. It is structured in three cycles, each consisting of five rounds or 20 days where different families are selected for each round to receive food assistance.

 

The WEE Project is a vital initiative that aims to address food insecurity and empower women in refugee camps. The project will provide families in the camps with healthy and nutritious meals and employment opportunities for women who need work. The training provided to the women will enable them to develop valuable skills and contribute to their communities.

Sector: Social Stability

GHAYMEH – 2022

Aims to strengthen youth key actors to foster dialogue and non-violent communication to address and manage tensions and conflicts whilst promoting empowerment, participation, reconciliation and forgiveness. This project is implemented in Beddawi camp in the North and El Buss camp in the South and is funded by forumZFD. This project involves working with civil society and different local communities in the areas of conflict transformation, community development and relationship-building. Six potential youth selected as community activists (CA) from each camp underwent series of capacity building and empowered with tools and skills and understandings to mobilize their society and transform conflicts within them.