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 Karmiel-Misgav  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 29 community villages and 6 Bedouin villages.

Misgav and Karmiel 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 Karmiel-Misgav. The region is also a key "crossing-point" between Haifa and the northern and eastern Galilee.

Karmiel- Misgav- Pittsburgh’ “Partnership 2000” has been active since 1995.

The Partnership's Budget for 2008: $425,000
 
PARTNERSHIP OBJECTIVES
1. Develop & Cultivate “Living Bridge” ties between the three Partner Communities.
2. Developing joint programs between community professionals for the advancement and welfare of  the three communities
3.Strengthening the ties between the communities in the USA with Israel and the Region
4.Economical Development of the Karmiel- Misgav region
5.Developing working & personal ties between the residents of Karmiel & Misgav
6. Improving the quality of life in the region, (Education, Employment, Business Development and Stabilization, etc)

IMPLEMENTATION:
 Implement the designated projects through the involvement of specific program related tasks forces under the supervision of the relevant sub-committees
 Distributing a periodical journal that describes the different project activities in the region and the partner communities
 Issue a periodic Status Report concerning project implementation.

SUB-COMMITTEES:
1. Community Building- COMMITTEE CHAIR: Hila Ben Dori :This area of activity refers to the partnership's investment in advancing the Karmiel, Misgav and Pittsburgh communities in various fields such as developing and promoting Jewish Identity and contact with World Jewry, leadership development, self and group enhancement for a variety of interest groups that influence each and/or all of the three communities. This program also includes expanding the numbers of those regularly active in Partnership activities, advertising the various activities and opportunities in the partner communities and development and promotion of various educational activities.
2. Regional Development- COMMITTEE CHAIR: Michal Werner -This area of activity refers to the partnership's investment in advancing the Karmiel-Misgav region from a regional and interest group aspect as relating to various areas of interest such as developing economic activities, business and demographic development and enhancement.
3. Youth- COMMITTEE CHAIR: Lilach Waxman Rana-  This area of activity refers to the promotion and development of both formal and extra-curricular educational activities for the region's young people and its community professionals as well as interest groups in various areas of activity such as leadership development, Jewish Identity, bonds to Israel and self-enhancement.

List of Projects for ‏2008

1. Regional Economic Development Projects

A.  Developing & Strengthening Small & Medium Sized Businesses
Promoting area SMB's through continued support of the activities of MATI "Lev Hagalil"
B.  Providing Assistance in Developing New Business Incubator Centers in the Region

C.  Branding the Region as a Desired Tourism Destination

Community Building/Social & Education Projects
A. 1 Providing Assistance In The Development Of Social Services For Preschool Age Children And Their Parents
B. 2 A Training And Self Enhancement Program For Social Service Professionals From The Three Partner Communities
C. 3 Colleagual Study Program in the Field of Innovation in Education (School Principals)
D. 4 Developing a Regional Program for Leadership & Initiative among Adolescents
E. 5 "All Night Long"- a program to meet the needs of adolescents from the summer and holiday vacations
F. 6 Joint Study Program for Kindergarten and Nursery School Teachers in the Partner Communities
G. 7 "Everyone can Succeed"- an educational and social empowerment program for pupils from the Bedouin Sector

2. Kesher Projects
A.  Women’s Forum – Voices 2000:
The shared activities of the Joint Women’s Forums are dedicated to promoting women related issues and improving their quality of life. This includes various health issues such as the prevention of breast cancer, the organization and management of the HILA B'Galil Walk for Women's Health and the HILA Women's Health Center (for the care & support of women following oncological treatment), the development and promotion of an "English Coffee House" to improve English language skills and a "Second Hand Store" in Misgav.
B.  Youth Ambassadors
The formulation and development of a group of area young people to serve as the region's youth leadership, represent the region at various youth related activities, host the youth delegation from the Pittsburgh Jewish Community for joint activities and conduct a reciprocal visit to Pittsburgh  
C.  Hosting Delegations
Intended to expose residents of the Pittsburgh Jewish Community to Israel, the region and its residents (either as individuals coming to volunteer in the region, or as part of various missions related to specific subjects of interest to both adults and young people such basketball, leadership development, etc).
D.  Living Bridge Coordinator
Employing a Coordinator to further Kesher programs between the 3  Communities
E.  Joint JCC Summer Camp Counselors
To further ties between the 3 Communities, 21-year-old counselors (following IDF service) from Karmiel & Misgav will be selected to serve as counselors at Pittsburgh JCC summer camps.
F.  A Youth Delegation to Ceremonies / Special Events in the Partner Community
A regional delegation of young people will plan and conduct Holocaust Remembrance Day, Israel Memorial Day and Independence Day ceremonies in the Pittsburgh Community.
G. 9 PR- Aimed at publicizing and promoting "Partnership 2000" activities in Pittsburgh, Karmiel and Misgav

Conclusion
The relationship between the Karmiel, Misgav and Pittsburgh communities has now existed for over 13 years.
In addition to the numerous joint projects conducted within the framework of "Partnership 2000" of the Jewish Agency, the Pittsburgh community is involved in the region and contributes numerous funds to implement various programs and projects throughout the region. For example, the community was instrumental in raising $800,000 for the benefit of a loan fund for local entrepreneurs and businesses, a student loan fund and implementing professional training and "return to work" courses for the unemployed from the region.

Designated Donations for the region – by means of the Jewish Agency 2007-2008:
• Partial funding of the "Science Spark" Program to promote and enhance technological development of young people from the Ethiopian Community in Karmiel, in cooperation with the Jewish Agency and the Technion  
• Scholarships for Ethiopian college students
• Emergency Aid following the Second War in Lebanon
• Support in operating a home for lone soldiers at the Karmiel "Children's Village"
• Extra-curricular activities for children residing at the Karmiel "Children's Village" 
• To provide support and assistance to young people at risk who reside at the Kibbutz Eshbal Youth Village
• Construction of a basketball court at the Kibbutz Eshbal Youth Village

Emergency Funding in the Region (during and after the Second War in Lebanon)
• Personal Protective Gear- Karmiel, Misgav
• Shelter Renovation- Karmiel, Misgav, Children's Village
• Renovation of the Family Crisis Center- Karmiel
• Appropriation for the purchasing of Fire Extinguishing Equipment- Karmiel
• Assistance in conducting Emergency-related activities during the war- Karmiel, Misgav
• Assistance in purchasing a vehicle for the Warm Meals Program
• Appropriation for the purchasing of drinking water containment devices for shelters- Misgav
• Activities for strengthening the community- Misgav
• Emergency Aid to MATI "Lev Hagalil"