Partnership 2000 was established in 1994 by the Jewish Agency for Israel, United Jewish Communities and Keren Hayesod/UIA. The program links Jewish communities abroad and regions in Israel in a mutual effort to strengthen Israeli society while promoting unity and Jewish identity. At present, 39 Israeli regions are linked to over 500 communities worldwide. Programs are planned and budgeted on an individual region basis and are approved by a regional steering committee composed of residents of the region and representatives of the linked communities from abroad.

The Carmiel-Misgav planning region is situated in the Galilee's center. The city of Carmiel encompasses an area of 24 square kilometers, with the sub-urban Misgav Regional Council covering 190 square kilometers. Misgav features 21 community villages, 6 kibbutzim, a moshav, caravan site and Bedouin town - in addition to scattered Bedouin encampments. A series of hills and valleys cuts across the region, causing transportation difficulties and effectively forming several blocs of settlement detached one from another.

The geographic region also includes 18 densely populated Arab towns which are not part of the intervention program; residents of these towns are key components of the Carmiel-Misgav job market and service sector.

Misgav and Carmiel residents frequent the greater Haifa area as their primary business and services metropolis. Haifa's proximity to the region generates a spill-over effect stimulating development in Carmiel-Misgav. The region is also a key "crossing-point" between Haifa and the northern and eastern Galilee.

  Iyar 5763 - May 2003