Integrity School 2025: A distinctive effort to enhance integrity and accountability in the relief sector
In June 2025, the Social Developmental Forum (SDF), in partnership with the Coalition for Integrity and Accountability – Aman, launched the “Integrity School 2025”, a tailored training program on integrity, transparency, and accountability.
The training took place in the Gaza Governorate, engaging 20 young men and women from the northern areas of the Gaza Strip. The intensive four‑day programme was delivered with determination to confront the challenges posed by the ongoing genocide.
A unique vision
Compared to previous seasons, the 2025 cohort was contextualized within the humanitarian crises in the Gaza Strip. It focused on strengthening the principles of integrity and transparency in humanitarian aid, as well as engaging youth in monitoring relief programs and addressing vulnerable groups. Moreover, the School aimed to consolidate the role of young people in leading community accountability and defending their rights, ultimately enabling them to spearhead the Annual Youth Summit.
Intersectional training sessions
Led by specialized trainers from SDF and the coalition, the programme covered several key modules, including:
- Fundamental principles of humanitarian work and emergency response.
- Reinforcing integrity and transparency mechanisms during emergencies.
- Community accountability and engaging youth in relief and reconstruction efforts.
- Preparing fact sheets, conducting community analysis, and data collection.
Throughout the training program, participants engaged actively in a variety of interactive sessions and practical applications tailored to the war context in Gaza. Dialogue between trainers and participants was notably dynamic and effective.
Towards evidence-based accountability
Upon completion of the programme, participants will prepare four fact sheets addressing multiple issues, most prominently: humanitarian action, the situation in the Gaza Strip, integrity, transparency, and accountability. This will be followed by community accountability sessions and a youth summit attended by officials, decision-makers, and specialists, to initiate an effective dialogue that reflects the role of youth in bringing about change, addressing pressing challenges, even if only through small contributions.
“Integrity Champions… Leaders of Change”
Through Integrity School 2025, we seek a transformative journey that fosters the role of youth in humanitarian work through enforcing integrity and transparency principles during emergencies, including fair distribution of aid.
Salah Al‑Rozzi , Coordinator of the “Youth for Integrity” project
Al‑Rozzi further emphasised SDF’s commitment to empowering youth to lead evidence-based advocacy using tools such as fact sheets. This ultimately aims to empower “leaders of change and Integrity Champions” to lead community accountability dialogues along the annual Youth Summit.
Wael Ba’lousha, Regional Director of the Aman Coalition in Gaza, remarked: “Integrity School represents an inspiring opportunity for youth to enhance integrity and combat corruption. They are the pioneers of change, striving for a just society that provides equal opportunities for everyone”.
It was a valuable opportunity; I learned more about the principles of integrity and transparency. I participated in activities and discussions that broadened my perspective on the importance of anticorruption and fostering accountability.
Fouad Obeid, participant
Similarly, Sirine Saleh commented: “The training was eye-opening; it taught me how to raise my voice and transform integrity and transparency from slogans into tangible practices. Transparency is not solely demanded of officials but must begin with each of us, from the simplest situation to the most difficult decision, especially in wartime, when circumstances are dire and people desperately need justice”.
Ahmed Zaqout elaborated: “Joining the Integrity School was an enriching and truly inspiring experience. What distinguished this experience was the participatory atmosphere and profound discussions on integrity, transparency, and community accountability. I learned how we, as youth, can be an effective voice in our communities, demand access to information, participate in decision‑making, and hold stakeholders accountable”.
Integrity School is part of the “Youth for Integrity” project implemented by the SDF in partnership with Aman. It opens avenues for a new generation of youth leaders to become active partners in decision‑making and accountability, particularly during emergencies.
The School represents a distinctive opportunity for young people to gain knowledge and skills and to collaborate with peers to make real change. It deepens participants’ understanding of integrity, transparency, and community accountability, and facilitates addressing pressing community issues. The need for such training is heightened by the emergency and wartime conditions in Gaza.
Raising youth awareness and involving them in anti‑corruption and community accountability efforts is especially crucial in humanitarian work, given that they constitute the largest and most affected segment of the Palestinian community, comprising one‑third of the population and experiencing high unemployment rates amid the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis.