Background

The Institute for Community Partnership (ICP), originally known as the Business Development Center (BDC), was founded in 1989 as one of the community-service extension units of Bethlehem University. Since its establishment the BDC has been working on enhancing and developing the Palestinian Business Sector capacity and assisting with the development of innovative ideas for individuals, groups and organizations involved in economical activities; empowering target groups with entrepreneurial, managerial, and technical skills.

Mission Statement

"ICP’s mission is to contribute to the continuous development of the human capital in Palestine and in the region, believing in our philosophy that human capital is the most valuable asset of any organization and of any society.

ICP aims to empower all sorts of organizations being private, public, profit-making, non-for-profit, and community-based organizations. Through partnerships with beneficiaries and stakeholders, ICP provides innovative, community-driven, and impact-oriented capacity building programs to foster the process of unlocking competencies and improving skills, attitudes and knowledge contributing to sustainable development of communities. As part of Bethlehem University, ICP shares its vision and social responsibility to continuously provide quality educational and developmental programs".

In 1998, the center adopted a new mandate to become the Institute for Community Partnership(ICP). The ICP is an integral semi-autonomous unit of Bethlehem University which undertook the responsibility of strengthening the ties between the University and the Palestinian community; to enriching and developing the entire Palestinian community through identifying emerging needs, communicating research results to assist in policy and decision making at local and national levels; to benefiting from community wisdom by enriching students and faculty knowledge and skills through organized interaction with reality; to advance development of business enterprises; to providing opportunities for adult education, second-chance education, extra-mural education, and extension education; to foster professional development by the provision of opportunities for Continuing education and access to expertise and research facilities; to organize and run social, cultural and educational activities as well as local and international conferences.

The Institute for Community Partnership’s unique approach balances theoretical knowledge with practical experience and applied research in a multidisciplinary setting. This applied research combined with local Technical Assistance, Consultancy and Organizational Development support services, provided through the Institute for Community Partnership, enhances the training component of the delivery process at ICP. All three activities are essential to enable the ICP to be the Center of Excellence in providing diversified professional services.

ICP has extensive working experience in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Over 12000 Palestinians, women and men of different age groups working in a wide range of professions, have benefited from its various Training, Consultation and Organizational Development services, that addressed among others the following areas: Enterprise Development and Promotion, Managerial and Administrative Skills, Youth Empowerment Programs, Communication & Office Management Skills, Digital Media Education, Tourism Management, Women Empowerment Programs, Specialized Computer Skills, Language Skills, for the marginalized youth, women, individuals with special needs, refugees and the three main sectors: Private, Public and NGOs.