Two cooperation agreements for student-led community initiatives in Beit Sahour
Holy Land Trust, represented by its executive director Mr. Elias Deis, and Beit Sahour Municipality, represented by Mayor Laith Hazim Qumsiyeh, in partnership with the Greek Catholic Patriarchal School in Beit Sahour, signed two cooperation agreements on the morning of Saturday 22 August 2026 to carry out three community initiatives under the “Creative Voices” project. The project works with Grade 10 students to build their leadership skills and sense of civic responsibility, and to turn their ideas into practical initiatives that serve their community.
The first agreement covers the “Smart Parking” and “Our Streets Are for Everyone” initiatives, which aim to help organise car parking in Beit Sahour and encourage residents to use the smart parking system, and to involve students in preparing and running a youth-led awareness campaign for the responsible use of streets and public facilities.
The second agreement covers the “Comfort Is a Right” initiative, which aims to improve the surroundings and services at the Beit Sahour clinic of the Palestinian Ministry of Health, and to make waiting more comfortable for patients and visitors, especially older people. The initiative includes upgrading the clinic’s outdoor courtyard, providing seating and shade for those waiting, planting trees and improving the area set aside for visitors.
The three initiatives reflect a shared vision between Holy Land Trust, Beit Sahour Municipality and the school: giving young people the chance to take an active part in identifying their city’s needs, shaping a vision for their community’s future and turning their ideas into practical, tangible initiatives. The partnership also seeks to strengthen the role of young people as young leaders able to take responsibility, take part in public affairs and help shape the solutions and decisions that affect their lives and their community.
Through “Creative Voices”, students move from training and learning to active community participation, testing in practice their ability to lead, take the initiative and take responsibility, and helping to build a vision for the future and make a positive, lasting difference in their community.
