The name Ibda'a (إبداع) means "creativity" or "creating something out of nothing" — the very spirit that defines our identity.
Ibda'a was established with the vision of creating space for Palestinian children to reclaim their lost childhood. With over 15,000 residents living in less than half a square kilometer, Dheisheh Refugee Camp offers no recreational or cultural facilities for children. Ibda'a emerged to fill this gap — offering a place where children can grow, dream, and express themselves. Through sports, music, folklore, and creative programs, we aim to nurture generations capable of shaping change.
Ibda'a Cultural Center is a grassroots, non-governmental organization based in Dheisheh Refugee Camp, located in the occupied Palestinian territory. Since our founding in 1994, Ibda'a has served over 2,000 children, youth, women, and men annually, while also providing employment and income opportunities to local families.
Our mission is to cultivate a positive and empowering environment within the camp by supporting residents in developing their creative and leadership skills. This is achieved through a wide range of social, cultural, and educational programs.
We believe that by empowering the most vulnerable groups in our community—through training in diverse fields—we create opportunities for Palestinian refugees to regain their sense of agency and actively contribute to addressing collective needs and challenges. In doing so, Ibda'a fosters a culture of democracy, inclusion, and respect, free from all forms of discrimination and bias.
Over the years, Ibda'a has grown to become one of the most successful community-based organizations in Palestine, recognized for its deep impact and resilient spirit.
Vision
A Palestinian society grounded in the values of justice, democracy, and respect for human rights.
Mission
Ibda’a is an independent Palestinian organization dedicated to empowering Palestinian society—particularly youth, women, and children—through comprehensive programs in the social, cultural, economic, and sports sectors. This is achieved through awareness-raising, capacity building, advocacy, and lobbying initiatives.
Ibdaa children have participated in international camps in Hungry,
France, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Morocco, and Tunisia. Moreover, it has
organized a number of international camps and holds four annual summer camps
for its beneficiaries.
Ibdaa receives foreign delegations from different nations on daily
basis and offers camp tours that including an informative presentation of the
Palestinian history, occupation, and the reality of living in a refugee camp.
Ibdaa provides grants and financial aid to university students
every year through scholarships in local and international universities.
The Swedish Olaf Palma International Center nominated Ibda'a for
an international award.
Ibdaa was chosen as a model to be disseminated in other areas in
Palestine under the supervision of Catholic Relief Services with funding from
Bill Gates Foundation. This effort was part of a project named Tawasol in which
Ibdaa was involved in the development of 13 similar Palestinian organizations
in the West Bank.
Ibda'a sent 100 of its patients from the Diabetes
Club to perform Umra (semi-pilgrimage).
Ibda’a’s
main objectives are:
- To support the development of children’s
capacities in a number of areas including cultural, technical, recreational,
academic, and health.
- To focus on building the capacity of women
as caretakers of the children.
- To promote and support youth as an
extension of the childhood development
- To raise awareness in the community about
the importance of childhood development