Mashaa

This platform is designed to empower and engage young men and women from Palestinian refugee camps in shaping public policies that directly affect their lives. It seeks to address the persistent lack of direct communication between camp residents, especially youth, and the governing bodies that represent them. Often, these youth are systematically excluded from participating in public matters and decision-making processes that impact their communities. This app provides them with a voice to be heard and a way to influence the policies and services they rely on.

Why this platform?
The app bridges the gap between citizens, particularly the marginalized populations in refugee camps, and decision-makers. These communities often lack a structured, effective way to communicate their concerns, needs, and feedback to the bodies responsible for providing essential services. By using this platform, refugee camp residents can take part in shaping policies and decisions that have a direct impact on their daily lives. This helps to remove discriminatory barriers and ensures that vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and people with disabilities, are not left behind.

Who is this platform for?
The platform is primarily for young men and women living in Palestinian refugee camps. They are often excluded from participating in public matters due to structural limitations. The app provides them with the means to actively engage with local governing bodies, voice their opinions, and make sure their concerns are heard at higher levels of decision-making. In doing so, the platform enhances their ability to influence public policy and contributes to improving services in their communities.

What can this platform achieve?
The platform enables participatory decision-making by making it easier for camp residents to communicate directly with decision-makers. It ensures that the needs of vulnerable groups are addressed and provides an open, transparent channel through which they can participate in public affairs. The platform also serves as a tool to connect policymakers with the real, on-the-ground needs of the community, ensuring that the services provided are aligned with the actual needs of camp residents.

Key Features
- Complaint Submission and Tracking: Residents can file complaints about services under the responsibility of the popular committees, such as access to healthcare, utilities, and education. These complaints are linked to a database that tracks their status and progress, ensuring accountability and timely responses from the responsible bodies.
- Chat Feature: A written or voice chat option allows users to request meetings with officials regarding priority issues. Based on the request, the platform can help arrange a meeting between the user and the responsible official to discuss important matters.
- Community Engagement Tools:The platform enables local committees, the Executive Office, and the Department of Refugee Affairs to propose public referendums on critical issues. This feature allows camp residents to vote on matters that affect their community, ensuring that their voices are heard in important decisions.
- Aid and Assistance Management: Users can access information about financial and in-kind assistance provided by the popular committees and the Department of Refugee Affairs. This helps raise awareness and encourages users to engage with the platform actively.
- Video Interviews: The app features video content, such as interviews with youth, citizens, or decision-makers discussing key community issues. These interviews provide a platform for open dialogue and shared understanding between the community and the officials responsible for making decisions.