The Ethiopian National Project (ENP) unites global Jewry, the Government of Israel and the Ethiopian-Israeli community in its mission to advance the integration of Ethiopian-Israelis into Israeli society.
ENP is a partnership between the Jewish Federations of North America, the Government of Israel, Representatives of Ethiopian Jewish Community Organizations, the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee in Israel (JDC-Israel) and Keren Hayesod-UIA. ENP works in true partnership with the Ethiopian-Israeli community, involving them at local and national levels at every stage of the creation, implementation and evaluation of the programs.
After an extensive review of the needs and programs available for the Ethiopian community and a broad process of consultation, ENP decided to focus its efforts on youth ages 13 – 18. In 2004, ENP launched a major multi-year effort in order to achieve a quality of opportunity for Ethiopian youth. ENP’s programs includes after school scholastic assistance, neighborhood outreach centers for youth at risk and workshops designed to empower parents and community lay leadership.
The Ethiopian National Project strives to provide social and educational opportunities to help Ethiopian-Israeli teenagers realize their full potential. ENP programs take a “bigger picture” view of the cultural, social and emotional challenges faced by Ethiopian-Israeli teens that hinder their advancement.Today the Ethiopian National Project is operating in 23 communities across Israel, serving approximately 4,000 youth in its 18 youth center and scholastic assistance programs.
Two key initiatives are at the heart of ENP’s work:
- Scholastic Assistance (3,411 Students + 167 in technological schools): A holistic program providing supplementary hours of educational support to improve students achievements in core subjects, increase their motivation to learn and improve their self-confidence.
- Youth Outreach Centers (18 centers): Both at-risk and normative Ethiopian-Israeli teens have a second home at the centers, which offer a range of enriching, extra-curricular activities, one-to-one emotional support and leadership opportunities.
For more on current programs and past initiatives go to:
Programs.