Palestinian Ministries and ILO Launch New Platform to Strengthen Social Protection

Palestinian Minister of Social Development Dr. Samah Hamad highlighted the need to bring separate social protection programmes into a more connected system that can serve communities effectively.

Palestinian authorities and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have launched a new initiative to improve social protection services for families facing economic hardship, social challenges and ongoing humanitarian crises across the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). Introduced in Ramallah on 5 November 2026, the Social Protection Community of Practice (CoP) brings government institutions and development partners together to improve cooperation and address gaps in existing support programmes. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) and Ministry of Labour (MoL) in partnership with the ILO, seeks to build a stronger and more connected social protection system across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza.

The new platform creates a common space where government representatives, employers' and workers' organisations, universities, civil society groups, development partners and social protection specialists can share experiences and discuss practical solutions. Regular meetings, technical discussions and peer learning activities will help participants understand existing challenges, improve policy decisions and develop approaches that respond to people's changing needs. The initiative places particular importance on supporting vulnerable individuals and families who need reliable assistance throughout their lives, especially during periods of crisis.

The European Union is funding the initiative through a three-year project titled Strengthening Capacities Towards a Coherent National Social Protection System Across the Humanitarian, Development and Peace Nexus, jointly implemented by the ILO and UNICEF. The project supports efforts to create a more coordinated national system capable of connecting humanitarian assistance with longer-term development and social protection needs. Its launch comes as Palestinians continue to experience economic instability, social difficulties and humanitarian pressures that have increased the need for accessible and dependable support services.

Building One Stronger Social Protection System

Palestinian Minister of Social Development Dr. Samah Hamad highlighted the need to bring separate social protection programmes into a more connected system that can serve communities effectively. She explained that better coordination could reduce duplication, address gaps in coverage and help institutions use their resources more efficiently. Hamad stressed that the new platform's success should be measured by improvements in cooperation and practical results, not simply by the number of meetings organised.

The initiative builds on the TRANSFORM foundational training programme held in Jordan in September 2026, where 28 participants learned essential concepts and tools for developing social protection systems. Lessons from that training will support discussions among participating institutions and encourage the use of practical knowledge in national policy development. Bringing different organisations into one learning network is expected to strengthen institutional capacity and create a clearer understanding of the reforms needed.

Connecting Social Protection With Better Employment Opportunities

Minister of Labour Dr. Enas Attari described the Community of Practice as an inclusive national platform that connects institutional expertise with the needs of Palestinian citizens seeking decent employment and reliable social support. She identified four priorities: linking social protection with decent work opportunities, improving access for underserved groups, strengthening coordination between institutions and ensuring meaningful participation from workers, employers, businesses, civil society and universities. Women, young people, persons with disabilities and workers in the informal economy were highlighted as groups requiring greater attention because of the barriers they face in accessing essential services.

ILO Representative in Jerusalem Dan Cork called for stronger efforts to develop new programmes and expand existing services so that social protection becomes available to everyone, particularly those facing the greatest difficulties. He emphasised that future programmes should be guided by fundamental rights, equality and justice, with support reaching vulnerable communities across Palestinian society. The ILO and its partners expressed their readiness to provide technical assistance and work with participating institutions to strengthen the national protection system.

Improving Cooperation to Reach Vulnerable Families

The Community of Practice will provide opportunities for institutions to exchange national and international experiences, examine evidence and explore solutions suited to the Palestinian context. Its regular discussions are expected to help organisations identify weaknesses in current programmes, improve coordination and support the development of policies that respond to both immediate emergencies and longer-term social needs. Shared expertise and closer communication could help reduce fragmented assistance and make support services more effective for the people who depend on them.

The initiative reflects a broader commitment among Palestinian institutions and international partners to reduce poverty, address vulnerability and promote social justice through stronger social protection policies. By connecting decision-makers, researchers, social protection practitioners and community organisations, the platform offers a way to turn shared knowledge into practical improvements in service delivery. Its lasting value will depend on whether participating institutions can translate their discussions into coordinated action that expands protection and improves the lives of Palestinian families.