Promoting an Environmental Agenda in Israel: Ministry to Support Environmental Orgs to Tune of NIS 5m

The Ministry of Environmental Protection has published a Call for Proposals from environmental organizations. The MoEP will lend a total of NIS 5 million to support programs with a variety of environmental aims, that will ultimately lead to the development of innovative and effective means of environmental education and to the raising of public awareness about environmental issues.

Environmental organizations have a special status in Israel: They serve as public representatives on a number of committees and councils by virtue of law, they are the civic voice that is well-versed in the environmental challenges facing the state, and their activities and influence across sectors and populations.

Environmental Protection Minister Gila Gamliel considers it very important to develop and maintain strong and active environmental organizations, in order to increase the environmental voice and discourse. She sees these organizations as strategic partners in advancing an environmental agenda in Israel.

Minister Gila Gamliel: "Environmental organizations, as strategic partners of the Ministry, constitute a force multiplier for the advancement of the environmental-social agenda amongst the public and in the government, and for the promotion of the Ministry's policy for the benefit of all residents of the State of Israel. Particularly in this time of economic and health crises due to the coronavirus, and against the background of the climate crisis, the distribution of funds is: important for job creation; an opportunity to develop innovative means for promoting environmental education; and will lead to raising public awareness of environmental issues."

The programs that will receive support will create jobs and new partnerships, will raise awareness about environmental issues, and will deepen the relationship between the MoEP, environmental organizations, and the public.

Among the issues the MoEP is interested in supporting: the climate crisis; environmental innovation; promoting a circular economy; waste prevention at-source; promoting recycling and return; reducing and reducing air pollution from transportation, industry, and energy production sources; fire prevention in open spaces; promoting sustainable transportation; risk prevention and population exposure to hazardous materials, radiation, and noise; maintaining open spaces and biodiversity; maintaining cleanliness of the sea, beaches, and water sources; reducing greenhouse gas emissions; climate change adaptation; reducing the use of natural resources; green building, and more.