Building Israel's Democracy - Ensuring its Future

The First Million for Democracy - Matching Grant

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About us

We believe that October 7th marked a pivotal moment for Israel. Now more than ever, we need strong democratic foundations to prevent existential threats. In these critical times, addressing the unfinished mission of Israel's establishment is imperative. We must seize this opportunity to complete this process and secure Israel's future as a democratic society.

To fulfill the original promise of the State of Israel, we recognize the need to address three fundamental questions:

Defining Our Borders
Defining the nation's borders is crucial for establishing a unified legal system and upholding civil equality. The foundation takes no stance on the specific location of the border, as long as it ensures full democracy for all residents within its confines.
Reforming the Election System
To place civil concerns at the heart of decision-making, we advocate for an election system that ensures comprehensive representation for all citizens. Local representatives should champion the interests of their constituents, fostering a genuine connection with the electorate. Additionally, we explore the benefits of federalism, a regional government system that allows for differential policies without coercion, as a potential model for our reform efforts.
Writing a Constitution
We strive to establish a broad and binding social consensus, redefining the social contract between Israeli citizens and government institutions. Drawing inspiration from the principles outlined in our Declaration of Independence and the vision of a comprehensive constitution, this endeavor is vital for tempering the influence of extremists and rebuilding trust between citizens and authorities across the political spectrum.

The Israeli Foundation for Democracy has initiated a $1 million-grant program to help build an ecosystem for democratic organizations and to increase philanthropic involvement to strengthen the structures of Israeli democracy.

Grants goals

1
To assist in building an ecosystem for democratic organizations in Israel, and to support organizations and projects that develop democratic infrastructure.
2
To support organizations developing new applied tools and practices to strengthen democracy.
3
Encourage projects that will strengthen Israel's democratic institutions through structural change.
4
Encourage organizations to address structural failures and strengthen democratic institutions within their fields of expertise.

Grant Criteria

1
A commitment to the fund's objectives.
2
Entrepreneurial and team experience.
3
An established innovative operating model - a logical model and change theory will be required.
4
Validation of the feasibility of the project.
5
The potential for collaboration with other organizations in the field.