Help decolonise the funding scene in Palestine!

As you may well know, since October 2023, the situation in Palestine has deteriorated significantly. The freezing of funds, the withdrawal of major donors, and political restrictions on Palestinian institutions have left many organisations struggling to survive. The cuts to USAID funding and the defunding of UNRWA have further exacerbated an already dire humanitarian catastrophy, impacting schools, mental health services, and cultural initiatives that millions rely on. Despite these immense challenges, ASHTAR Theatre remains steadfast in its mission to use theatre as a tool for resistance, healing, and empowerment.

Thanks to the support of donors like you, we have been able to sustain our work in these extraordinarily difficult times. Over the past quarter, ASHTAR has continued to deliver mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) theatre workshops in UNRWA schools across the West Bank and Jerusalem and other organisations. These sessions help children and teachers process trauma and develop coping mechanisms through creative expression.

Given the funding crisis facing UNRWA, these interventions are more vital than ever, ensuring that children have safe spaces to express themselves and are supported in processing the ongoing violence and instability they endure. ASHTAR has also been working to support the original Gaza Monologues writers, all have been displaced, some forced to evacuate, or some have now returned to their home locations, many with their houses reduced to ashes.These artists, who first wrote their testimonies of war as children, now find themselves reliving the same trauma and facing unimaginable conditions. ASHTAR has provided direct support to them, supporting them in having access to basic necessities, creative opportunities, and small financial assistance. The global advocacy campaign of The Gaza Monologues remains as crucial as ever, with readings in over 62 countries amplifying Palestinian voices and ensuring their experiences are not erased from the global narrative.

Despite financial and operational challenges, progress continues towards launching the two-year accredited Performing Arts Academy in Birzeit by ASHTAR Theatre, in partnership with the Palestinian Circus School. This initiative is key to developing the next generation of Palestinian artists and social workers using arts as a therapy method, equipping them with the skills to use theatre as a means of cultural resistance and community empowerment. The academy will serve as a vital space for artistic growth and international exchange, strengthening the cultural fabric of Palestinian society.

The ongoing funding crisis remains one of the greatest threats to ASHTAR and other Palestinian institutions. The freezing of funds by major Western donors, the cessation of USAID support, and the financial collapse of UNRWA have placed immense strain on organisations that provide essential services to communities under occupation. Although ASHTAR has not been in receipt of the USAID assistance, countless organisations which have been dependent on it are now in competition for very scarce resources with organisations like ASHTAR.

ASHTAR, alongside the Palestinian Performing Arts Network (PPAN), has taken a firm stance against neo-colonial funding models that impose restrictive conditions and undermine Palestinian sovereignty. Instead, ASHTAR is committed to building an ethical, solidarity-driven funding model, relying on individual donors and independent foundations that align with its vision of liberation and cultural empowerment.

The support received through GlobalGiving has been instrumental in keeping psychosocial theatre programmes running in UNRWA refugee schools, providing emergency financial relief for displaced Gaza Monologues writers, and maintaining core operational costs.

However, the need remains urgent. Further funding is required to expand psychosocial theatre interventions, continue financial support for displaced cultural workers in Gaza, and complete renovations for the Performing Arts Academy in Birzeit to ensure its successful launch.

Now, more than ever, ASHTAR depends on the solidarity of its supporters to sustain its mission. We encourage all who stand with Palestinian cultural resistance to continue sharing our campaign, following our work, and amplifying Palestinian voices.

Your continued support ensures that ASHTAR remains a space of hope, resilience, and creative safe home for now and the future.

Thank you for standing with us in these critical times.