Taawon Launches “Roots & Threads” to Empower Youth in Northern West Bank
Under the patronage of the Ministry of Social Development, and in partnership with Tamer Institute for Community Education and with generous support from GOAL Global, Taawon has officially launched Empowering the Future: Roots & Threads, a youth-focused initiative designed to support youth in Jenin and Tulkarem who are facing immense psychological and social pressure due to the ongoing instability and repeated incursions in the region.
The project was announced during a ceremony at the Ministry’s headquarters in Ramallah, attended by Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development and Minister of State for Relief Affairs, senior officials from the Ministry, Dr. Tareq Emtairah, Taawon’s Director General, Rana Qubaj, Director of Tamer Institute, and representatives from the partner organizations.
Aimed at 200 youth aged 12 to 18, the four-month initiative focuses on strengthening psychosocial wellbeing and resilience through a combination of life skills training, emotional support sessions, and practical learning activities. The program also includes creative outlets such as vocational training and storytelling that help youth process trauma, build confidence, and reclaim their sense of agency.
In her opening remarks, Minister Hamad emphasized that youth are central to the Ministry’s vision for inclusive development, especially those experiencing deep psychological strain in the north. She stressed that the Ministry’s mandate goes far beyond financial assistance, encompassing 18 specialized services focused on protection, care, and empowerment, particularly for vulnerable youth. She also confirmed that the project is expected to extend to Gaza and commended the coordination of over 42 partner institutions operating within the government’s relief response framework.
Minister Hamad highlighted that the idea for the project emerged from field-level observations and direct interactions with affected youth. She expressed her full support for integrating digital skills, coding, and leadership development into the program, noting that today’s youth need tools not only to recover, but also to lead.
Dr. Tareq Emtairah described the program as a response to urgent needs identified by the Ministry and a reflection of a shared vision between the institutions. He emphasized Taawon's commitment to scaling up meaningful, community-driven youth interventions, especially in underserved areas, and thanked GOAL Global for its strategic and timely support. “This project is part of our long-term investment in shaping a future where young people are agents of change, not victims of circumstance,” he said.
Rana Qubaj, Director of Tamer Institute, spoke about the organization’s longstanding work with youth since the First Intifada and its evolving focus on mental health and cultural healing. She underscored the importance of expanding initiatives like this to Gaza, even in the absence of a formal ceasefire, noting that more than 63,000 children have already been reached in Gaza since the onset of the current war through educational and cultural programming.
Rand Al-Baba, the project coordinator at Tamer, shared insights from the field, saying: “We are walking alongside young people in a journey of discovery. It’s about more than training; it’s about helping them realize their inner strength and equipping them to navigate an uncertain world with confidence.”
Roots & Threads reflects a broader vision shared by Taawon and its partners: to invest in the rising generation by creating safe spaces for learning, healing, and expression. It is a space where practical skills meet storytelling, where young voices are heard, and where confidence grows through connection, creativity, and care.
