Integrity School: A Success Story in Empowering Youth to Influence Public Policies and Enforce Social Accountability in Palestine

For the twelfth consecutive year, the Integrity School has served as a platform for knowledge, skills, and practical application. It enables youth to engage in their communities, influence decision-making processes and public policies in Palestine, and enforce social accountability. The school aims to drive positive change in public policies, governance, and public financial management while promoting integrity, transparency, and improved service delivery—especially for Palestinian society's most disadvantaged and marginalized groups.

Since its inception 12 years ago, the Integrity School has been jointly organized by the AMAN Coalition and Sharek Youth Forum, stemming from their strong belief in accountability as a fundamental pillar for safeguarding the political system and public institutions from corruption risks. The initiative is also rooted in the principle that citizens have the right to hold public service providers accountable for serving the common good. Moreover, it seeks to empower youth to monitor public financial management and governance, foster a culture of social accountability, and encourage their involvement in anti-corruption efforts. This comes at a critical time. Palestine's political system faces significant challenges, including the absence of a functioning Legislative Council and weakened official oversight institutions. This results in a severe lack of accountability and scrutiny over public administration.

Over the years, the Integrity School has built the capacities of approximately 500 young men and women from all districts of the West Bank and Jerusalem in governance principles, integrity, anti-corruption mechanisms, and social accountability dynamics. It has facilitated 300 social accountability sessions in various formats and tools, engaging decision-makers and service providers, including government ministries, security agencies, local councils, and public institutions. These sessions have addressed critical issues affecting citizens: education, healthcare, agriculture, social development, poverty rights, public safety, municipal services, consumer protection, emergency preparedness, digital security, public financial management, youth participation in elections, and more.

Through its various editions, the Integrity School has successfully elevated youth knowledge and skills to an advanced level of civic engagement. It enables them to influence decision-making processes, shape public policies, address societal challenges, and lead grassroots initiatives for positive change. The program has been geographically inclusive, reaching cities, villages, and refugee camps across Palestine, focusing on marginalized areas such as the Jordan Valley, northern West Bank, southern Hebron, Masafer Yatta, rural communities, and the Palestinian Bedouin regions.