Collaborations

Collaboration is at the heart of our work. HSF Jerusalem works with civil society organizations, public institutions, universities, policymakers and community initiatives in Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Germany and the wider region. Together, we develop projects that translate our four focus areas into practical action.

Our collaborations are built on mutual respect, political balance and a shared commitment to democracy, peace and sustainable development.

Economic development

Sinsila Center - Sinsila develops locally rooted solutions for a greener and more sustainable Jerusalem. Since 2024, HSF and Sinsila have worked together to strengthen community well-being and expand economic opportunities through green urban development in East Jerusalem. In 2026, the partnership supports a training program for women that combines design thinking, carpentry, green-roof technologies, solar energy and entrepreneurship, providing participants with practical skills for developing sustainable business ideas.

Hasoub - Hasoub is an Arab-led non-profit organization promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and greater participation of Arab society in Israel's high-tech sector. Through startup programs, professional training and innovation hubs, Hasoub equips students, entrepreneurs and young professionals with technological skills, professional networks and opportunities to develop their ideas. HSF's cooperation with Hasoub contributes to more inclusive economic development by strengthening entrepreneurship and access to Israel's and the international innovation ecosystem.

Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research - The Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research (JIPR) is an independent think tank specializing in applied research on Jerusalem's social, economic and urban development. HSF and JIPR collaborate on research examining the city's Haredi population, its representation in the Jerusalem City Council, and the implications of demographic and political developments for Jerusalem's economic and social future.

Social understanding & participation

0202 - Points of View from Jerusalem - 0202 creates spaces for greater understanding among Jerusalem's diverse Haredi, Palestinian, secular and religious Jewish communities. HSF supports initiatives that use dialogue and communication to strengthen social resilience and civic engagement. These include the “Women of Jerusalem” program and, since 2026, the “Torah Responsibility Program”, which engages Haredi rabbis in dialogue on civic and communal responsibility.

Abraham Initiatives – The Abraham Initiatives and HSF work together to strengthen Jewish-Arab shared society through regional economic development and tourism cooperation in Nazareth and the Galilee. Their 2026 project, “Shared Tourism and Culture as Foundation for Shared Society”, brings together tourism professionals, municipalities and local entrepreneurs. Through research, a regional tourism incubator and professional conferences, the project seeks to create economic opportunities while strengthening cooperation and social cohesion.

Shatil - NIF - Shatil, the capacity-building arm of NIF, supports civil society organizations working for social change, equality and civic participation in Israel. In 2025, HSF supported Shatil's LEAD IMPACT program, which equipped leaders from the Negev Bedouin community with media and communication skills. In 2026, the initiative expanded to include Jewish and Bedouin communities, supporting grassroots organizations in strengthening civic engagement, community representation and cross-community cooperation.

Interfaith Encounter Association - The Interfaith Encounter Association brings Jews, Muslims and Christians together through grassroots interfaith dialogue and community-building. HSF provides institutional support for this work, helping to sustain opportunities for direct encounter, dialogue and mutual understanding across religious and communal boundaries.

National Library of Israel - HSF and the National Library have collaborated on initiatives promoting social understanding and engagement with Israel's diverse society and cultural heritage, including Bedouin culture.

Ecological development

Women of the Sun - Women of the Sun is a Palestinian women-led organization based in Bethlehem that promotes women's leadership, civic participation and community resilience. In partnership with HSF, the organization conducts environmental training and awareness programs for public officials, community leaders, young activists and local representatives. The collaboration connects environmental awareness with community engagement and strengthens women's participation in addressing local environmental challenges.

EUPOL COPPS - Since 2024, HSF has collaborated with the EU Mission for the Support of Palestinian Police and Rule of Law (EUPOL COPPS) to strengthen professional expertise in environmental law enforcement. Joint activities have included training Palestinian officials in wildlife and nature protection, contributing to stronger institutional capacities for protecting natural resources and enforcing environmental regulations.

Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities - HSF has collaborated with the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to strengthen ecotourism and sustainable local development. The cooperation has focused on integrating ecotourism considerations into planning by local authorities situated near nature reserves, connecting environmental conservation with responsible tourism and local economic opportunities.

Arab Tour Guides Union - The Arab Tour Guides Union works with HSF and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to strengthen professional knowledge of ecotourism, natural heritage and cultural heritage among tour guides. The cooperation helps connect responsible tourism with greater awareness and protection of the region's natural environment.

Mahmiyat - Mahmiyat.ps, launched in 2016 with HSF support, was the first dedicated online platform presenting nature reserves and ecotourism trails in the Palestinian Territories. The platform makes information about protected areas, biodiversity and responsible tourism accessible to the public and tourism professionals. HSF and its partners are currently redeveloping Mahmiyat for relaunch in 2026.

Environment Quality Authority - HSF works with the Palestinian Environment Quality Authority (EQA) to strengthen professional and institutional capacities in environmental protection. The cooperation has included engagement with environmental professionals and the Environmental Police and currently focuses on jointly redeveloping Mahmiyat.ps as a resource for nature conservation, environmental awareness and ecotourism.

Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature - The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) manages Jordan's protected areas while combining biodiversity conservation with sustainable community development. HSF Jerusalem works with RSCN to facilitate professional exchange and training, enabling environmental practitioners to learn from Jordan's extensive experience in protected-area management, ecotourism and community-based conservation.

Political understanding

Tel Aviv University - HSF collaborates with the Dan Department of Communication at Tel Aviv University to support the next generation of journalists and strengthen international professional exchange. The partnership includes a selective study program in Europe combining academic learning, practical journalism training and encounters with media and political institutions. HSF has also supported German-Israeli journalism exchanges with TAU, with selected joint productions available on YouTube.

East Jerusalem Philanthropy Forum - HSF is a member of the East Jerusalem Philanthropy Forum, which brings together philanthropic organizations working to strengthen civil society and social development in East Jerusalem. Through exchange, coordination and shared learning, the Forum seeks to improve cooperation among funders and contribute to more effective and sustainable support for local initiatives.

Aktion Sühnezeichen Friedensdienste Israel - Together with Aktion Sühnezeichen Friedensdienste (Action Reconciliation Service for Peace), HSF supports Holocaust remembrance and German-Israeli dialogue. In 2026, the two organizations jointly hosted Holocaust survivor Saul Hochstein for a Zikaron BaSalon event at the HSF Jerusalem office, creating an opportunity for personal testimony, remembrance and intergenerational dialogue.

University of Notre Dame - Tantur - The University of Notre Dame's Tantur Campus in Jerusalem provides a space for encounter among Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities. Together with HSF, Tantur organizes the “Faith-Based Ethical Leadership Forum”, bringing academics, religious leaders, policymakers and civil society representatives together to discuss interfaith dialogue, ethical leadership and approaches to peacebuilding in times of conflict.

Bavarian institutions - HSF Jerusalem maintains longstanding relationships with Bavarian political and governmental institutions, strengthening exchange between Bavaria, Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Partners include the CSU Parliamentary Group in the Bavarian Parliament, the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection, the Bavarian State Ministry for Education and Culture, and the Commissioner of the Bavarian State Government for Jewish Life and Against Anti-Semitism. These relationships support political dialogue, professional exchange, educational cooperation and German-Israeli relations.

German Bundestag - HSF Jerusalem maintains close ties with the German Bundestag and regularly facilitates exchange with German parliamentarians. The Foundation also supports the Bundestag's International Parliamentary Scholarship Program, helping young people gain first-hand experience of parliamentary democracy and strengthening long-term connections between Germany and the region.

Munich Security Conference - HSF Germany cooperates closely with the Munich Security Conference, a leading international forum for debate on foreign and security policy. The cooperation contributes to dialogue among political decision-makers and experts on international security challenges.

Past collaborations (sel.)

In Israel

Israel Museum - The Israel Museum is the largest cultural institution in the State of Israel and is ranked among the world’s leading art and archaeology museums. The Ruth Youth Wing for Art Education fosters intercultural understanding between Palestinian and Jewish students.

Merchavim - Merchavim, the Institute for the Advancement of Shared Citizenship in Israel, is an Israeli nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion, and greater fairness in classrooms, communities, and society.

Citizens' Accord Forum - The non-partisan Citizens' Accord Forum was founded by former Israeli Minister of Social & Diaspora Affairs, Rabbi Michael Melchior. It aims to reduce extreme polarization and create a shared society for both Jewish and Arab citizens.

I'lam – I’lam - Arab Center for Media Freedom, Development and Research is a non-profit NGO based in Nazareth. The main goal of I’lam is to contribute to a shared society, by promoting media rights among minorities in Israel.

University of Haifa - The University of Haifa is home to students from all sectors of Israeli society. HSF partnered with the Hebrew Reali School in Haifa and the Ignaz-Taschner-Gymnasium in Dachau to establish bilateral teacher working groups, as per the recommendation of the joint German-Israeli Textbook Commission.

Tel-Hai College - Tel-Hai College is a leading public academic college in Israel and an engine of change for the educational, economic and social development of the Upper Galilee.

Hebrew University of Jerusalem - The European Forum at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and HSF work on Israel-German relations and their academic aspects. HSF has supported research, opinion polls and academic events on this topic.

In the West Bank

Palestine Society for Environment and Sustainable Development - The Palestine Society for Environment and Sustainable Development is dedicated to protecting endangered birds and wildlife and promoting community awareness of the social, environmental, and cultural significance of the region's flora and fauna.

Environment Police - Since its establishment in 2019, HSF has supported capacity building programs of the Palestinian Environment Police through its project partners.

Municipal authorities - Via the Palestine Ecotourism Society several municipal authorities in the West Bank collaborate with HSF on ecotourism and sustainable development in rural areas.

International

Deutsche Journalistenschule - The Deutsche Journalistenschule (DJS) is one of the most renowned journalism schools in Germany. HSF Jerusalem has supported a DJS exchange program for journalism students from Germany and Israel in the past. You will find some of the joint video productions at the DJS YouTube channel.

European Leadership Network - The European Leadership Network brings together leaders to foster close relations between Europe and Israel. HSF Jerusalem has collaborated with the Network on the "Germany-Israel Strategic Forum" in 2020 and on an European Summit in 2021.

H₂Optimize Hackathon - The regional H₂Optimize Hackathon is part of HSF's regional effort to empower youth to address one of the most urgent climate challenges in the Middle East and North Africa: reducing water waste in irrigated agriculture through low-cost smart solutions. It took place online from 19-20 July 2025. 

Partner stories & videos (sel.)

See our partnerships in action

Highlighting the East Jerusalem Cohort 2025. This video by 0202 – Points of View from Jerusalem captures the 3-month Media and Leadership Program empowering the Women of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem - growing green. Video of the Sinsila Center from 2025.

The Women of Jerusalem: graduation ceremony of the Haredi (strictly Orthodox Jewish) women cohort 2024. Partner video of 0202 – Points of View from Jerusalem.

Interested?

HSF Jerusalem works with organizations and institutions whose projects align with our focus areas and contribute to democracy, sustainable development, social participation or political dialogue.

Before contacting us, please review our partnership criteria and prepare a brief project proposal outlining:

• the challenge you want to address
• the proposed activities and target groups
• the expected outcomes
• how the project aligns with an HSF focus area

Read more on our partnership criteria at FAQs. Contact HSF Jerusalem here. 

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