In the context of its strategic commitment to supporting transition to locally driven sustainable development patterns, the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA), in partnership with the Witness Center for Citizen Rights and Social Development, organized a specialized awareness-raising workshop on the concepts of green and circular economy. Under the Local Authorities Network for Sustainable Development (LAND) project, the event brought together representatives from 35 local government units (LGUs) and civil society actors from targeted communities in western Ramallah and southern Nablus.
This workshop is part of APLA’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness among LGUs about alternative economic models that place sustainability at the core of local policies and planning and promote a more balanced approach to development between people and resources. The workshop covered essential pillars of the circular economy, made clear key differences from the linear economic model, and highlighted principles such as reuse, recycling, and design for sustainability. These are indispensable foundations for achieving integrated environmental and economic security at the local level.
The workshop also served as an effective hub for enhancing participants’ understanding of innovative investment in available resources and casting light on the untapped potential of organic waste. This can be transformed into productive projects that stimulate the local economy and reduce environmental impact, such as the establishment of organic compost production units.
This workshop is one in a series of strategic interventions implemented by APLA under the LAND project, a pioneering model of decentralized international cooperation led by Palestine in partnership with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Union of Municipalities of Umbria, Union of Municipalities of Trasimeno, and FELCOS Umbria. The project aims to redefine the role of local governance as a key driver of just and sustainable development, enabling LGUs to play a central role in environmental protection, improving resource management efficiency, and enhancing community well-being amid complex challenges.
