Danish assistance to the oPt focuses on the following three main objectives:
Peace building: The objective is to contribute to the peace process through active Danish participation in the promotion of a negotiated solution based on the Roadmap for Peace and subsequent internationally accepted initiatives. In line with this Denmark, together with other donors, is supporting a number of initiatives. Among those are PLO’s Negotiations Affairs Department and support to East Jerusalem, aimed at ensuring the continued presence of Palestinian civil society in East Jerusalem, thereby supporting a just and balanced solution regarding the status of Jerusalem. State building: The objective is to support the building of a sovereign, democratically viable and sustainable, peaceful Palestinian state, guaranteeing basic human rights and security for its population, creating the framework for economic growth and delivering basic services. Denmark supports a range of activities considered preconditions for the peace process, including support to rule of law and democracy, including free and fair elections. Denmark will continue collaboration with relevant partners on decentralisation and local democracy building through a multi-donor sector wide approach in the municipal and local development sector. Furthermore, Denmark will continue the support to Palestinian civil society, e.g. in collaboration with other donors through the joint NGO Secretariat, which supports independent NGOs engaged in the fields of human rights, democratisation and anti-corruption. Improved livelihood for the Palestinian people: The objective is to improve living conditions of the population and to support private sector development in the oPt. Denmark supports smaller local councils in the Jenin area through the amalgamation and capacity building of institutions and staff. Denmark furthermore aims to increase focus on private sector development. The aim is to stimulate private economic activity, including investment and increased integration between the West Bank and Israel, as part of confidence building and peace promoting initiatives. The expected allocation of resources for these three strategic objectives in the period from 2010 to 2012 is as follows:
