As part of its technical follow-up of the Sub-grants Projects, the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) made a field visit to Ein al-Balad Square rehabilitation project site in the town of Husan. Accompanied by the Technical Team of the Husan Village Council, APLA received rehabilitation works, ensuring conformity to quality standards and project objectives.

This project is implemented in the context of efforts to protect the natural and historical sites in the so-called Area C. Listed as a World Heritage site in the Bethlehem governorate, Ein al-Balad area and is distinctive of a beautiful natural landscape as well as environmental and societal value. The project aims to protect the site from threats posed by Israeli practices. Maintaining archaeological identity, it restored walls of the historic pond and provided public facilities, seating areas, a clean source of energy to light the area, and improve public hygiene, promoting the area as a public space and a destination for inbound tourism.

This project is part of APLA’s efforts to reinvigorate the development role of local government units (LGUs) in marginalized areas. Funded by the European Union and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Sub-grants Initiative seeks to implement sustainable interventions that preserve the cultural and natural character of vital sites and provide public spaces in support of community life. The project is a model for a local response mechanism to strengthen citizens’ resilience empower communities to uphold their right to development and survival.