The Palestinian Economy. Theoretical and Practical Challenges

Proceedings “The Palestinian Economy: Theoretical and Practical Challenges” 285
they are responsible for approximately 80% of all NGO activities through the provision of
a range of services to their constituents, including health care, kindergartens, and day care
facilities. More significantly, these NGOs also run factories that provide income
generating activities, including a yogurt factory as well as medicine and medical
equipment companies. Hamas’ presence in Hebron is even stronger than in Nablus in the
non-governmental sector. Its charitable societies also run income-generating projects,
such as bakeries, restaurants, shoe factories, and sewing and textile facilities. While
Fatah-affiliated NGOs account for the majority of organisations in most districts, they are
largely inactive and poorly funded. Table 5 shows the number of PNGs according to
different studies. The most recent estimation is that of the NGO Mapping Project which is
more accurate than other estimates.
Palestinian NGOs are characterised by the following facts:
1) They actively coordinate community volunteering activities.
2) Vocational training is central to the function of NGOs in multiple sectors.
3) The majority of NGO employees work for a minority of organisations.
Volunteer-based NGOs are often the organisations with the largest constituencies.
4) NGOs focused on social service activities are also effective promoters of
democracy and civic participation.
5) A key deficiency among these NGOs is the lack of permanent infrastructure to
sustain activities in communities.