Young Adults as a Driving Force in Rebuilding Northern Israel

JFN and the Edmond de Rothschild Foundation (IL) are announcing a $1 million Matching Grant

The Challenge

The “Iron Swords War” has left northern Israeli communities facing significant rehabilitation challenges. Surveys show approximately 40% of young people are hesitant to return to these regions, posing a serious threat to the long-term viability and resilience of these communities.

The October 7 massacre and the subsequent war have influenced all philanthropic efforts, which shifted toward addressing immediate emergency needs. Now is the time to pivot to long-term rehabilitation and growth, by investing in young pioneers and communities from all sectors of Israeli society. We have a unique opportunity to rebuild and strengthen the Northern Communities along the confrontation line.

To that end, the partnership will soon issue a call for proposals from rehabilitative organizations and non-profits, provided they raise 50% of the support from new donors, to ensure broad engagement and sustainability.

While fields like construction, healthcare and education require extensive government investment, the field of young adult engagement is one in which philanthropy can make an immediate and transformative impact.

The Opportunity: Young Pioneers and Communities Leading Renewal

The Edmond de Rothschild Foundation (IL), and JFN are launching a $1 million matching grant to empower young leaders and communities who are committed to revitalizing northern communities.

Following in the footsteps of the renowned Baron de Rothschild legacy, we believe that the future belongs to young people who act to rebuild strong and more resilient communities.

We invite funders and philanthropic foundations to join us in this transformative matching grant initiative. Together, we can create sustainable socio-economic infrastructures in affected communities, focusing on areas suffering from negative youth migration.

Objectives

  • Building Community Resilience:
    Increasing the number of young adults and students who choose to remain in these communities, return to them, or move to the region.
  • Local Leadership Development:
    Increasing the number of young adults and students engaged in and leading social and economic initiatives in these regions.
  • Developing Employment Opportunities:
    Increasing the number of young adults and students achieving commensurate employment.
  • Strengthening Education and Culture:
    Increasing the number of young adults involved in educational and cultural initiatives to strengthen the community or region.

Course of Action

The action plan to achieve the initiative’s objectives will include the following components:

  • Support mission-driven communities of young residents and newcomers.
  • Establish an entrepreneurial incubator and support local initiatives led by young people.
  • Incentivize young professionals in key fields such as education and welfare.
  • Build a network of young communities across the region.
  • Advocate central and local government policies which support young residents.
  • Support training programs aimed at developing regional leadership capable of driving impactful action towards the restoration and growth of the North.

We will hold a Zoom session in June for interested funders.
The date and time will be shared soon.

If you are interested in joining the session, please leave your details here:

For further inquiries, please contact:
Anat Danis
Director of Philanthropy for Regional Recovery, JFN
anat@jfunders.org