The Tekuma (“Rebirth”) Administration and the Ministry for the Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience are launching a broad initiative to establish new public institutions in the Gaza Envelope – including an innovation center in Sha’ar HaNegev, a rehabilitation center in Eshkol, and a fortified cultural hall in Sderot. The goal: strengthening resilience, the social fabric, and the economic development of the region that was devastated in October 2023.
The Tekuma Administration and the Ministry for the Negev, Galilee, and National Resilience will allocate 326 million shekels for the establishment, renovation, and equipping of new and unique public institutions throughout what is now called the “Tekuma Region.” The initiative is part of the implementation of the National Rehabilitation Law for the Tekuma Region, which designates the Gaza Envelope settlements as a national priority area and aims to encourage renewal, employment, and community resilience.
The budget will be divided among the regional authorities as follows: Eshkol – 91.6 million shekels, Sha’ar HaNegev – 47.9 million, Sdot Negev – 34.5 million, Hof Ashkelon – 27.5 million, and Sderot – 124.3 million. The division was determined based on parameters such as population size, level of damage, socio-economic status, and the peripherality index.
Each municipality will establish a unique project chosen based on its local needs:
Sha’ar HaNegev: A regional innovation center will be established at a total investment of approximately 95 million shekels, of which 48 million will come from the Tekuma budget. The center, located near Sapir College and the Sderot train station, will bring together startup companies and promote connections between academia, industry, and local entrepreneurship.
Eshkol: In the Re’im complex, a multi-disciplinary regional rehabilitation center will be built to provide therapy, treatment, and resilience services to residents of the area. The center will be located in the heart of the region hit hardest on October 7 and will serve as a symbol of recovery and renewal.
Sdot Negev: A technological educational and employment center will be established near the new community of Ofir, linking the education system, academia, and industry, and promoting advanced employment training.
Hof Ashkelon: A regional cultural center and conservatory will be built at a cost of about 35 million shekels (27 million from the Tekuma budget), including a 500-seat performance hall and rehearsal rooms.
Sderot: A fortified cultural and conference center will be established, which will also serve as a regional emergency command center and will become a hub for cultural and community activity for all Tekuma localities.
The Tekuma Administration emphasizes that unique public institutions serve as important regional anchors – not only in the cultural and community sense but also as tools for economic development and job creation. The municipalities will be required to submit proposals as part of a public call to be published soon, detailing the project’s contribution to local development and resilience.
According to officials at the Ministry for the Negev, the initiative aims “to drive a long-term process of recovery and growth that will strengthen the Rebirth Region socially, economically, and communally – and lay a modern, resilient civilian foundation for years to come.”
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