Call for Proposals: “Sviv HaEtz” Project – Jerusalem
Call for Proposals:
“Sviv HaEtz” Project – Jerusalem
If you dream of a shaded, greener, and more pleasant city – this is your opportunity to turn that dream into a reality.
The "Around the Tree" project invites Jerusalem residents to join the municipal initiative for urban shading and forestry – a vision already being advanced on the ground by the Jerusalem Municipality through widespread planting, ongoing maintenance, and long-term planning. Now, you have the chance to contribute through community initiatives focused on planting new trees, preserving mature ones, and bringing nature back to public spaces. Together – residents, the municipality, and supporting organizations – we will grow Jerusalem’s urban forest, tree by tree, neighborhood by neighborhood.
About the Project
"Sviv HaEtz" is a resident-led urban forestry initiative. It is managed in partnership by two veteran organizations – Good Energy Initiative and Eretz-Ir, together with the Jerusalem Municipality. The project aims to connect city residents to the vision and plan of "Ma'alot BaTzel", Jerusalem’s strategic program for urban shading and forestry, by encouraging local ownership, care, and expansion of the city’s tree resources. In collaboration with municipal agencies, selected resident groups will take part in planning and implementing tree planting and preservation activities, along with community-based engagement. These groups will help establish hundreds of trees in urban areas, complementing the city’s overall urban forest plan.
Briefly
The Jerusalem Municipality is issuing a call for community-driven urban forestry initiatives aimed at planting and preserving trees through community activity. You are invited to:
● Identify an accessible, public, and cost-free open space
● Engage additional local partners and your community council (Minhal Kehilati)
● Submit a proposal for a community initiative.
An urban steering committee will select three winning initiatives, which will receive full support and resources from the “Sviv HaEtz” program through the end of 2026.
Important Information
What is a community initiative?
It’s a framework for grassroots action focused on improving and greening shared public spaces in the city. It’s your chance to realize a vision for a better public environment. You may draw inspiration from a Catalog of Community Initiatives from Israel and Abroad published by “Derech Tzel.”
Who can apply?
Groups of at least five residents whose proposed activities are based within Jerusalem and align with the project’s themes and goals.
Where can you plant trees?
In clearly public spaces – either public open areas (PAOs) or private open spaces used as public – with prior coordination and approval from the community council’s urban planner.
Connection with the Community Council (Minhal Kahilati)
Approval from the council's urban planner is required before official submission.
Project Duration
Support and coordination will last approximately 1.5 years, from July 2025 to December 2026.
What’s included?
● Ongoing professional guidance in project development, community tools, and environmental planning
● A monthly stipend of 1,000 NIS for the initiative’s lead resident
● Training sessions with top experts in the field, including tours, lectures, and workshops
● Up to 70,000 NIS for planting and community event budgets
● Budget and guidance for setting up a tree nursery (~350 saplings) to be planted with city collaboration at the project’s end
How to Apply
- Fill out the Application Form
- Attend information sessions:
● In-person event: Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 18:00–19:30, at the Community Garden of the Museum of Natural History, 6 Mohilever St., Jerusalem.
● Zoom webinar: Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 20:00
Pre-registration for both events is required - here
Project Selection Criteria
|
Section |
Max Points |
What We’re Looking For |
|
Applicant Group (min. 5 people) |
20 |
Capacity to implement the proposed activities within the timeframe. Provide background on your group: who’s involved, how often you meet, and your relevant experience. |
|
Do you have the necessary skills, experience, or partnerships to help the project succeed? |
||
|
Commitment to attend all project trainings and appoint a lead coordinator for the full duration. |
||
|
Planning, method and approach |
20 |
Proposed strategy aligns with project goals. What do you plan to do, and how? |
|
Clearly defined community and environmental goals (list three). |
||
|
Continuity beyond project end: how will the initiative be maintained? |
||
|
Who are the target audiences? What’s the current and desired state of the site? How much shading/tree coverage will be added? |
||
|
Project Alignment |
20 |
Increasing tree canopy through community planting and preservation. |
|
Alignment with the municipality’s urban forestry strategy. |
||
|
Community involvement and capacity to collaborate with authorities. |
||
|
Potential for scaling environmental and community impact. |
||
|
Timeline |
10 |
Realistic timeline aligned with project goals, including measurable results by the end of 2025. |
|
Outcomes & Impact |
15 |
What does success look like? What are your outputs and measurable outcomes? |
|
How will the project engage more residents? How will you assess its environmental and social impact? |
||
|
Budget |
10 |
Budget breakdown: at least 70% for planting and tree care, up to 30% for community activity. Clear cost estimates aligned with proposed funding (70,000 NIS). Plans for additional fundraising. |
|
Communication and Collaborations |
5 |
Ability to promote the initiative and create collaborations with municipal and external entities. |
Additional Conditions
● Applicants commit to serving as project coordinators throughout the initiative’s lifecycle, maintain regular communication with project managers, and submit periodic progress reports.
● Active participation in training sessions is mandatory.
● Projects will be supported by Good Energy Initiative, Eretz-Ir, and the Jerusalem Municipality.
● Funding is conditional on meeting project goals and is subject to approval by the steering committee.
● Funds will be paid directly to service providers against valid invoices – not to participants.
● Projects exceeding the allocated budget must demonstrate matching funds from other sources.
● Activities may be documented, and content may be used by the partnering organizations.
● All communications must credit the partnership with the Jerusalem Municipality, Good Energy Initiative, and Eretz-Ir.
● Projects must be accessible to people with disabilities, as required by law.
Contact for Questions
● Gadi Warshavsky – Community Gardens Coordinator, Social Sustainability Department gadi.ginotk@gmail.com
● Miki Cohen – Co-Director, "Sviv HaEtz" Project mikicohen@eretzir.org.il
● Daniel Katz – Co-Director, "Sviv HaEtz" Project daniel@goodenergy.org.il