In 2007, Palestinians were facing a deteriorating humanitarian situation, stifled economy, and unemployment as high as 37% in Jenin (West Bank) and 44% in Khan Younis (Gaza). The construction sector was particularly affected, skilled workers were emigrating to more stable environments in other countries and as a result, there was a lack of skilled professionals and qualified firms for the professional design, supervision, and implementation of construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance projects. Furthermore, many opportunities for job creation for unskilled labor in the construction sector were not being maximized because labor-intensive methods were not being employed. At the same time infrastructure improvements were still greatly needed across the West Bank and Gaza.

As a result, EJP with funding from USAID, implemented from 2007 to 2011, was not just a jobs creation program, but by rehabilitating infrastructure, EJP also impacted the sectors related to this infrastructure. As a result, not only did the program create jobs but also contributed to improvements in educational, health and community services.

The program provided short-term and long-term employment opportunities through infrastructure activities to Palestinians in targeted communities, with special attention given to involvement of women, youth and the disabled in project identification, design and implementation.

EJP main achievements:

• EJP completed 220 projects under a variety of sectors including: schools, clinics, youth centers, community centers, and playgrounds.
• In addition, EJP pioneered the Engineering Fellows Program, which has now been replicated by other organizations across the West Bank.
• Created 383,631 person days of employment, including community contributions of time and off-site labor.
• Employed of 11,533 persons: 6,725 skilled, and 4,808 unskilled.
• Reached 1,420,103 community members.
• Completed five construction projects that utilized green construction techniques such as sun shades, solar chimneys, insulated walls and windows and grey water systems.

However, through innovative infrastructure projects that not only provided employment but improved community services, and original program components such as the Engineering Fellows Program and the integration of green building elements, EJP was able to meet and in almost all cases, surpass the targets and objectives of the program.

Most importantly however, is the opinion of the communities themselves. The external final evaluation reported that 89.7 % of respondents found EJP projects very responsive to community needs and 81.6% of surveyed workers found EJP to have a positive impact on them and their families.