The Social Developmental Forum (SDF) has been officially elected to lead the youth sector within the Palestinian Network of Non-Governmental Organizations (PNGO), effective as of June 2025. Represented by SDF’s staff member, Yasmeen Muhana, this milestone reflects both trust and responsibility. This accomplishment reflects SDF’s consecutive efforts and commitment to youth engagement and empowerment in […]
Displacement shouldn’t kill our dreams, story of Eman Abu Jarad
I am Eman Nahed Mohammad Abu Jarad. The war deprived us of any means of stability. This is how Eman started narrating her story. Her words echoed the patience and hope she maintained amid displacement. Eman was born in 2000 in Beit Hanoun, North Gaza; she is now almost 24 years old. Since the beginning […]
Transforming challenges into meaningful lessons, the story of Nour Al Atrash
Nour Al Atrash, the 23-year-old leader lives in Deir Al Balah, the middle area of the Gaza Strip. She has never given up a fight but remained resistant and proactive in expanding her engagement in community development, especially after the war and its catastrophic consequences on the Gaza Strip. From normal life to displacement Nours […]
Amid the darkness of the gnocide, Access for all is a beacon of hope
Hala Naeem Hamdan is a 21-year-old university student majoring in English. She lives in Deir Albalah, the middle area of the Gaza Strip. Although she lost her father at an early age, her mother’s support enabled her to pursue her path. Her mother is not only a role model, but a “bright light from Allah”, […]
Access for All: SDF launches a unique capacity-building program to enhance accessibility skills of youth with and without disabilities
In partnership with Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), SDF launched a tailored program to build the capacities of young members of the “Access for All” network. This program is part of the project “Access for All: Enhancing the independence and inclusion of people with disabilities in the Gaza Strip.” Participants were split into two groups […]
The Future of Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding: SDF at the Stockholm Forum on Peace and Development
Stockholm, Sweden | 13–14 May 2025 The Social Developmental Forum (SDF) joined over 400 policymakers, practitioners, and researchers from more than 70 countries at the 12th annual Stockholm Forum on Peace and Development, hosted by SIPRI in partnership with the Folke Bernadotte Academy and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). Under the theme “The […]
SDF’s Youth Hub: a beacon of hope amid the chaos
SDF has launched a unique capacity-building program in North Gaza for the young leaders of the SDF’s youth hub, a new youth model, implemented in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). 50 young leaders (2 groups of 25) participated in a five-day intensive training that aimed to boost their capacity, knowledge, and skills […]
SDF and MAP launch “Access for All” project
In partnership with our strategic partner, Medial Aid For Palestinians (MAP), the SDF launched “Access for all,” a significant effort to enhance the Independence and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the Gaza Strip. The one-year project will promote and advocate for the rights and well-being of People with disabilities in the northern, middle, and […]
From Gaza to Brussels: SDF’s Advocacy for Youth, Peace, and Security in the Mediterranean
16 April 2025 | Brussels, Belgium The Social Developmental Forum (SDF) participated in the Euro‑Med Youth Dialogue—titled “ALF4ThePact Public Event on the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda in the Mediterranean”, aligning its longstanding advocacy efforts, for instance, the #PalestiniansLivesMatter campaign and SDF’s efforts to foster civic and political engagment of youth with the conference’s Youth, […]
SDF Joins Global Voices at the Copenhagen People Power Conference: Championing People Power for Justice in Palestine and Beyond
Copenhagen, Denmark | April 8–10, 2025 The Social Developmental Forum (SDF) took part in the Copenhagen People Power Conference (CPPC), a landmark global gathering spotlighting the transformative role of social movements in building sustainable and just peace. The event, organized by ActionAid Denmark, brought together activists, government officials, donors, UN representatives, human rights defenders, policymakers, […]