Government Funded Renewable Energy Projects and Environmental Initiatives in Arab society
In late 2024, seventeen Arab municipalities in Israel were awarded grants totaling NIS 17 M to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. This is part of the ongoing GR-550 socio-economic development plan for Arab communities. In parallel, the Ministry of Environmental Protection is advancing the implementation of the government resolution that allocated NIS 91 M to improve environmental conditions, health, and quality of life in the Negev Bedouin communities.
These initiatives are especially relevant now as Israel promotes sustainable energy use across local authorities, focusing on creating income sources and ensuring electricity continuity during emergencies, a pressing concern in the aftermath of the ongoing war. Ongoing research and efforts in the field highlight the urgent shift from natural gas to renewable energy, with local authorities playing a key role in this transition.
NIS 17 M for 17 Arab Municipalities
The NIS 17 M grant was allocated across 17 Arab municipalities who will implement a range of projects aimed at improving energy efficiency, reducing infrastructure gaps, reducing electricity costs, and generating renewable energy. The funding brings the total support to Arab localities from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure to NIS 73 million over the past two years, just shy of to the NIS 95 M set forth in GR-550 five-year plan. As MK Yisrael Katz emphasized in 2023 with the launch of the initiative: “Investing in Arab authorities is an investment in the future of the State of Israel, on the way to transforming Israel into a regional and global energy powerhouse. The energy sector has been gaining momentum in recent years and is becoming before our eyes one of the driving forces of the Israeli economy. As such, it has the ability to reduce gaps, especially in the periphery. Investing in sustainable energy projects helps the energy sector, reduces pollution and emissions, and is an investment that generates economic profit for the authorities.”
Additional Support
Alongside the grants, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure is also funding regional energy managers. These professionals aid municipalities by guiding them through the grant application process, helping to plan energy projects, and ensuring successful implementation.
Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Eli Cohen, commented on the initiative: “These grants for Arab municipalities will significantly benefit residents by improving infrastructure, reducing municipal energy expenses—allowing for more investment in community welfare—and decreasing air pollution, benefiting the health of all Israeli citizens. Furthermore, the installation of solar energy facilities will enable building owners to generate additional income and maintain energy supply during emergencies.”
NIS 91 M in Negev Bedouin Environmental Investments
Negev Bedouin communities have long faced significant environmental challenges, including outdated infrastructure, environmental hazards, pollution, and inadequate waste management. Many residents lack reliable access to electricity, clean water, and healthcare, leaving them especially vulnerable to rising climate risks such as extreme heat and dust storms. These issues, combined with high poverty rates, contribute to poor living conditions and hinder the region’s development.
To address these challenges, the Ministry of Environmental Protection is moving forward with the government’s 2022 decision to allocate NIS 91 M to improve the environmental situation, health, and quality of life for Bedouin communities in the Negev. The investment is part of a comprehensive five-year plan to provide a thorough response to these environmental issues, with a focus on long-term sustainability and community well-being. So far, the Ministry has committed NIS 40 million to the plan, with discussions that began in January 2025 underway to implement the remaining NIS 50 million. The goal is to provide tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of the region, working closely with local authorities.
Critical Environmental Issues in the Negev
As part of this investment, the Ministry of Environmental Protection is focusing on several key areas of intervention:
Minister of Environmental Protection, Idit Silman, emphasized the significance of this investment, calling it a “historic opportunity” to address long-standing environmental challenges in the Negev. She reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with local authorities to implement these changes, which will lead to improvements in the environment, health, and quality of life for Bedouin residents.
Collaboration with Local Authorities
The Ministry of Environmental Protection sees cooperation with local authorities as essential to the success of the five-year plan. During a working meeting held in Rahat Municipality in January, Minister Silman met with seven of the nine heads of Bedouin authorities in the Negev. Also in attendance were the Mayor of Dimona, Benny Biton, a senior team from the Ministry, and representatives from Malkiyya and Tel Sheva. Participants included Habis al-Atauna (Head of the Hura Council), Qait Abu Maamar (Head of the Segev Shalom Council), Abd al-Aziz al-Nassara (Head of the Kasifa Council), Salama Abu Adisan (Head of the Neve Midbar Council), Jaber Abu Kaf (Head of the Al-Qassum Council), and Taleb Abu Arar (Head of the Arara Council in the Negev). The discussions focused on the specifics of the NIS 91 M allocations, aiming to tailor the plan to the needs of the communities.
“The cooperation between the local authorities and the Ministry of Environmental Protection is key to the success of this initiative,” said Benny Biton, Mayor of Dimona and Chairman of the Eastern Negev Authorities Cluster. “This investment is a significant step toward improving the quality of life and the environment in the Negev.”
The heads of the Bedouin authorities expressed their support for the plan and their hopes for the swift implementation of the allocated budgets that will have lasting effects on the environment, health, and overall quality of life in the region.
Do you need support integrating these resources and issues into your philanthropic, communal, or Israel education work? Reach out for consultations, connections to experts, program support, training, or to plan your next event or mission. If you’ve used our resources, tell us about your experience!