GPS Survey Device Provision – Iskaka, Yasouf, and Farkha

In a step that goes beyond conventional solutions, the villages of Iskaka, Yasuf, and Farkha in Salfit Governorate transformed an advanced GPS surveying device into a tool for development and joint governance—an innovative initiative aimed at promoting the sustainable management of land and resources in the so-called Area “C.”

At first glance, the project may appear to be a simple procurement of technical equipment. Yet, it reveals a pioneering governance model to address the pressing challenges of land regulation and agricultural expansion. Instead of working in isolation, the three village councils chose to pool their resources to tackle a common challenge—signaling a shift from fragmented local action to a culture of collaboration.

The strength of this initiative lies in its sustainability. By training young people from the three villages to operate the GPS device, the service has been localized, eliminating the need for costly external expertise. This means that residents now have access to precise surveying services for land registration, dispute resolution, and agricultural planning—at reduced costs, and delivered by their own community members.

The impact is not only financial. Beyond lowering expenses, the project has created new employment opportunities for the trained youth and increased the revenues of the three village councils by 5% by 2025. These additional resources will allow for improved public services and the expansion of green spaces, directly benefiting over 5,700 residents.

Most importantly, the initiative strengthens community resilience in Area “C,” where land regulation and ownership remain existential challenges. By gaining the capacity to survey and plan their lands independently, these villages have secured a strategic tool to safeguard their resources and chart their developmental future with confidence.

The joint project of Iskaka, Yasuf, and Farkha stands as a compelling example that the most transformative solutions are not always the largest, but the smartest and most cooperative. With a single device and collective will, three villages have drawn the blueprint for a more organized and sustainable future—proving that shared action and localized technology are the fastest routes to genuine development.

This project is part of the Sub-Grant Program, which is implemented by the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) in Area C. The initiatives under this program are not merely about infrastructure improvement, but serve as practical tools to keep communities rooted in their land, expand spaces of life in the face of closure and confiscation, and turn development into a daily act of resilience that safeguards rights, memory, and existence.

funded by: the European Union and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)