EXHIBITION CLOSED DURING 24th to 27th OF OCTOBER DAYS

Work for Hope is the ‘cash for work‘ project carried out by COOPI – International Cooperation and ECHO in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Gaza Strip and West Bank). Work for Hope is also a photography exhibition designed by Alessandro Gandolfi, photographer from the prestigious Parallelozero agency.

An opportunity to develop communication and to raise awareness of interventions in fragile territories.
A real and intense reportage that brings us in closer contact with those living the challenges of the occupied territory.

What is the ‘cash for work‘?
The aim of this action is to create temporary jobs and job opportunities by involving the heads of household and communities, in order to improve the conditions and quality of life.
A key intervention to ensure economic access to food and other forms of support to fragile communities whose safety, core focus of ECHO and COOPI joint work since 2002, is threatened.

The civilian population of the occupied Palestinian territory has suffered several decades of conflict and occupation, which has had serious and negative impact upon all aspects of their lives.

Palestinians are subjected to various prohibitions and movement and access restrictions imposed by the Israeli army, that affect all aspects of civic life, undermining economic growth, the employment rate and limiting access to essential services and livelihoods (health services, education, housing, food).

Thanks to the reportage of Alessandro Gandolfi, COOPI and ECHO tell the stories of some villages, of the beneficiaries and of their intervention by involving a large number of people who are not aware of the real living conditions inside the occupied Palestinian territory, but are interested in hearing stories of hope from these people.
Work for Hope is a hope BUILDING project.
One of its aims is also to “break down” the clichés about the occupied territory by telling everyday re-building short stories, through the narrative power of the shots and video testimonials gathered by Alessandro Gandolfi from an unstable, fragile, provisional territory.

The exhibition will be located inside a tent, as a symbol of home, but also of precariousness.
This will not be an ordinary tent, but it will be embroidered by the Work for Hope project beneficiary women, a temporary work supported by the European Commission. Hence, by crafting pillows, tablecloths, curtains, bags and much more, the women involved in the project have managed to overcome solitude, to meet with friends, to learn a trade, and to set up a cooperative.