The program aims to recognize challenges that both countries are facing, and enable the participants to learn from each other as well as to identify unique strengths and develop future collaborations and new perspectives around them.
5 German-Israeli “Matches”
The first phase of the program was “matching” 5 different organizations in Germany (with focus on the south of Germany, as part of a collaboration with the Israeli General Consulate in Munich) with organizations in Israel that work towards similar goals.
Each match focuses on a different field of activity within the framework of inclusion:
Innovation:
LAG Selbsthilfe von Menschen mit Behinderungen und chronischen Erkrankungen RLP e.V. in Rheinland-Pfalz was matched with Israel Unlimited, a project of the organization Joint that is implemented throughout Israel. Both organizations aim for full and equal social participation of people with disabilities. They collaborate with governmental institutions to enhance the quality of life through innovative means.
Sports:
Behinderten- und Rehabilitations-Sportverband (BVS) Bayern e.V. in Bayern was matched with Etgarim, an association that is also active throughout Israel. Both organizations are distinguished by their focus on inclusive sports, meaning sports activities that people with and without disabilities can participate in together. Despite differences in their approaches, stemming from variations in the structure of the sports sector in both countries, the two organizations share much in common.
Independent Living:
Der Saarländische Schwesternverband e.V in Saarland was matched with Gvanim, an organization based in the city of Sderot but active throughout Israel. The goal of both organizations is to promote individuals with disabilities and support them in leading independent lives, ideally within the heart of society.
Employment:
Hotel Restaurant Anne-Sophie in Baden-Württemberg was matched with “Equal Employment” & Fattal hotels. The three institutions share a common objective: enabling people with disabilities to access employment in the hotel and gastronomy sector and creating a suitable work environment for them.
Sheltering:
FATRA e.V. in Hessen was matched with Assaf. Both are organizations that support refugees, asylum seekers, and victims of torture, engaging in political and psychosocial work for and with refugees, including support for people with disabilities.
The course of the program
G17 for Inclusion included a series of digital meetings, a visit of the German organizations in Israel in May 2022 and a visit of the Israeli organizations in Germany in June 2022. Following the visits the participating organizations presented their learnings from the process they have been through together, as well as their vision and strategy for developing the collaboration further in a fruitful way.
The G17 for Inclusion program is a collboaration of:
