Who We Are?

WEDO Profile

Founded on 25 March 1998, the Water and Environmental Development Organization (WEDO) is a Palestinian non-profit, non-governmental organization working for the protection and sustainable management of water, environmental and natural resources. WEDO was established by professionals with academic and practical backgrounds in water, sanitation and environmental management, with the objective of bridging the gap between scientific research, policy development and practical application. The organization works closely with local communities, municipalities, schools, NGOs and other stakeholders to promote environmental protection, sustainable resource management and community-based solutions.


WEDO has particular expertise in water conservation, sanitation, wastewater treatment and reuse, environmental education, natural resource protection, GIS and spatial analysis, environmental assessment, territorial planning and community engagement. WEDO also works with regional and international partners and has experience in transboundary and Mediterranean cooperation. Through its cooperation with environmental networks and partners, including Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME), WEDO has contributed to projects involving Palestinian communities and stakeholders and has supported practical approaches to environmental and territorial challenges.


WEDO has extensive experience in European and Mediterranean cooperation projects. Under INTERREG IIIB ARCHIMED, WEDO participated as a project partner in WATER-MAP – Development and Utilization of Vulnerability Maps for the Monitoring and Management of Groundwater Resources in the ARCHIMED Area. The project involved GIS-based groundwater vulnerability mapping, environmental analysis and spatial decision-support approaches, providing relevant experience for the development of integrated territorial information systems and evidence-based planning.


Under ENPI CBC MED, WEDO/FoEME participated as a project partner in MIDEMP – Empowerment of Management Capacities of the Middle Eastern Public Bodies on Public Services and Socio-Economical Local Development, contributing to territorial planning, local development, participatory approaches, public-sector capacity building and related information-management activities. WEDO/FoEME also participated in the Protecting Groundwater initiative, contributing to GIS training, environmental risk mapping, groundwater monitoring, field data collection, municipal capacity building and community engagement.

Main Sector

Environment, Water Supply and Sanitation, Climate Change, GIS.

Sub Sectors

Environment, Water Supply and Sanitation
Agriculture, Livestock and Fishery, Lands
Other services

Vision

A sustainable and climate-resilient Palestine where water resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity are protected and managed sustainably, and all communities have equitable access to safe water, a healthy environment, and resilient livelihoods.

Our Missions

WEDO works to promote sustainable water resources management, environmental protection, climate change adaptation, and ecosystem-based approaches through applied research, technical innovation, GIS and spatial analysis, community engagement, and capacity building. WEDO collaborates with local communities, municipalities, government institutions, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and international partners to develop practical, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions that strengthen water security, protect ecosystems and biodiversity, improve sanitation and wastewater reuse, and enhance community resilience to environmental and climate-related challenges.

Strategic focus areas

  • Sustainable water management: Water conservation, water security, integrated water resources management, and efficient irrigation.
  • Climate change adaptation: Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), climate resilience, and nature-based solutions.
  • Environmental protection: Ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable natural resource management.
  • Sanitation and wastewater reuse: Improved sanitation, wastewater treatment, safe reuse, and resource recovery.
  • GIS and applied research: Spatial analysis, environmental monitoring, mapping, and evidence-based decision-making.
  • Community empowerment: Capacity building, inclusive participation, gender-responsive approaches, and local environmental initiatives.
  • Partnerships and knowledge exchange: Connecting science, policy, and practice through cooperation with Palestinian, regional, and international institutions.

A sustainable and climate-resilient Palestine where water resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity are protected and managed sustainably, and all communities have equitable access to safe water, a healthy environment, and resilient livelihoods.

Objectives​

1. To promote the sustainable management and conservation of water resources.
2. To support improved sanitation, wastewater treatment, reuse and resource recovery.
3. To protect environmental and natural resources and promote biodiversity and wildlife conservation.
4. To bridge the gap between scientific research, policy development and practical application.
5. To promote appropriate, affordable, low-cost and decentralized environmental and water technologies where appropriate. 6. To strengthen the capacities of municipalities, communities, NGOs, professionals and other relevant stakeholders.
7. To promote environmental education, public awareness and community participation.

 

8. To apply GIS, spatial analysis and environmental information to support evidence-based planning and decision-making.
9. To support sustainable territorial planning and integrated approaches to environmental and natural-resource management.
10. To strengthen Palestinian, regional, Mediterranean and international cooperation on water, environment and sustainable development.WEDO works to promote sustainable water resources management, environmental protection, climate change adaptation, and ecosystem-based approaches through applied research, technical innovation, GIS and spatial analysis, community engagement, and capacity building. WEDO collaborates with local communities, municipalities, government institutions, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and international partners to develop practical, inclusive, and evidence-based solutions that strengthen water security, protect ecosystems and biodiversity, improve sanitation and wastewater reuse, and enhance community resilience to environmental and climate-related challenges.

Units/Departments

Water Resources and Sanitation Unit
Environment and Natural Resources Unit
Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Unit
GIS and Spatial Analysis Unit
Research and Policy Unit
Community Development and Environmental Education Unit
Projects and International Cooperation Unit

Target Communities and Beneficiaries

  • Smallholder Farmers
  • Water-Dependent Rural Households
  • Women and Youth
  • Vulnerable Households
  • Farmers’ Groups
  • Water-User Groups
  • Community-Based Organizations

 

  • Local Environmental Groups
  • Local Leaders
  • Municipal and Local Government Actors
  • Technical Institutions
  • People with Disabilities
  • Marginalized Families