About

The name "Ibda'a," ( ابداع ) is translated from Arabic as "creation" or "creative ability".  Ibda'a Cultural Center (Ibda'a) is a grassroots, community-based organization located in the Dheisheh refugee camp within occupied Palestinian territory. Since its foundation in 1994, Ibda'a serves more than 2000 children, youth, men and women annually, and provides employment and income to some families in the camp. Ibda'a’s mission is to create a positive atmosphere for residents of the refugee camp in order to assist them in developing creativity and leadership skills through a range of social, cultural and educational activities. Ibda'a believes that by empowering the most vulnerable members of our community trough offering training in skills from diverse fields, we provide a space for Palestinian refugees to activate their role in society and participate in addressing the public’s needs and concerns. As a result, Ibda'a instills a culture of democracy and acceptance of others, away from all forms of prejudice. Ibda'a’s goals serve as a compass for all activities and describe how the Ibda'a family behaves inside and outside the camp.

OBJECTIVES

To support the development of children’s capacities in a number of areas including cultural, technical, recreational, academic, and health.
To focus on building the capacity of women as caretakers of their children.
To promote and support youth as an extension of the childhood development
To raise awareness in the community about the importance of childhood development

LATEST NEWS

Marathon for the Diabetics Children Group
On 7 March, Ibdaa launched its yearly Marathon for the Diabetics Children Group in coordination with
Diabetes Club
Diabetes Club   28/05/2022
On 8 March, Ibdaa organized a seminar for members of Diabetes Club in coordination with YWCA. The
Medical Eyewear
Medical Eyewear   28/05/2022
Ibdaa’s Medical Eyewear project continued throughout the year of 2022, as 160 cases in Dheisheh

Facts and achievements

  • Ibda'a's children and youth participants have toured the globe, earning the title from the late President Yasser Arafat as “Ambassadors of Palestine”. Ibda'a won the title of Most Active Institution in Palestine following a survey organized by AlHayat Newspaper in 2006. Ibda'a Art Group presented distinguished performances worldwide including a performance in the UN General Assembly Meeting in New York and another at the World Church Union Meeting in Washington. It also participated in Indigenous American celebrations and festivals in 1999 and won first place at the “Algeria Capital of the Arab Culture” festival, competing against 18 Asian and African groups. Ibda'a inaugurated

  • Ibdaa children have participated in international camps in Hungry, France, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Morocco, and Tunisia. Moreover, it has organized a number of international camps and holds four annual summer camps for its beneficiaries. Ibdaa receives foreign delegations from different nations on daily basis and offers camp tours that including an informative presentation of the Palestinian history, occupation, and the reality of living in a refugee camp. Ibdaa provides grants and financial aid to university students every year through scholarships in local and international universities. The Swedish Olaf Palma International Center nominated Ibda'a

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