Kol Mekomi - Local Voices: Opening of two Courses

The "Local Voices" program exists since 2021 and trains local activists and politicians. It supports them in entering local politics at their municipal councils. The "regular" course, taken place in Tel Aviv, consists of local politicians all over Israel. At its core, the program promotes social justice and pluralistic democracy. 

More specifically, the program offers on one hand, individual support with managing everyday live and political engagement for local change; on the other hand, it helps participants to navigate and understand the complex municipal structures and the possibilities for policy reform at the local level in Israel. 

These include, for example: budget, city planning, democratic civic participation at the local level, education, community empowerment, youth, welfare and social services, gender equality, religion, climate change and environmental issues, leadership in times of crisis and emergency, urban accessibility for people with disabilities, and food security for groups at risk of/in poverty. 

To date, more than 350 participants, people from all parts of Israel's diverse society, have graduated from the program, most of them elected representatives in their regional councils and cities.  

We wish this year's cohorts all the best for their training and for their engagement in local politics!