A strong and vibrant civil society is essential for a healthy democracy. With the unprecedented disruption to everyday life and work that COVID-19 has wrought, Israeli organizations are facing major challenges in maintaining workable budgets and staff so that they can meet the new and urgent needs of those they serve.
Civil society needs new kinds of support in order to survive and thrive during and after this crisis. NIF and Shatil, NIF’s Initiative for Social Change, are working with organizations to help them adapt their work, budgets, and staffing needs to this crisis and to plan for the day after.
We are also mobilizing emergency resources for effective crisis response now, when the need is at an all-time high. Our role is to do everything that we can to make sure that civil society has what it needs to thrive during – and in the wake of – this emergency.
Providing Online Support to Israeli Organizations
Shatil, NIF’s action arm in Israel, is providing vital support to organizations and activists fighting for civil liberties under highly restrictive conditions. Shatil has set up accessible online platforms to service a community of over 160 organizations, including online consultancy sessions, and peer learning groups for leadership during times of crisis.
Helping Organizations with Emergency Financial Management
Shatil has developed an emergency “Crisis Management Center” to provide critical support for civil society organizations so that they can survive during and after this crisis and to help them promote democratic and progressive socioeconomic policies and an equitable COVID-19 response. This includes a four-part, online training series on financial management in crisis to help organizations figure out what they need and plan appropriately for this moment of crisis.
