Finn Church Aid expands its regional engagement with new office in Ramallah

Finn Church Aid (FCA) has officially inaugurated its new office in Ramallah, strengthening its long-term presence and partnerships in the occupied Palestinian territory and across the Middle East. The opening reflects FCA’s deepened commitment to advancing inclusive, safe, and quality education, while supporting community resilience in contexts affected by crisis.

THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY brought together high-level representatives from the Government of Palestine, the international community, and development partners. Among the distinguished speakers were Mr. Tomi Järvinen, Executive Director of Finn Church Aid; Dr. Nafe’ Assaf, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education; Ms. Tarja Kangaskorte, Head of the Representative Office of Finland in Ramallah; and Ms. Etti Higgins, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in the State of Palestine.

A strategic step to deepen impact

In his opening remarks, FCA Executive Director Tomi Järvinen emphasized that establishing a formal presence in Ramallah is a strategic step to reinforce FCA’s commitment to long-term engagement in the region. He highlighted the FCA’s focus on ensuring that children and youth, especially those affected by conflict and displacement, have access to safe and inclusive learning environments.

“We are committed to supporting people’s aspirations for a just peace and a dignified tomorrow through education, partnerships, and community-driven solutions,” Järvinen noted.

The new office will serve as a hub for coordination, partnerships, and programme delivery, enabling FCA to scale up its work and respond more effectively to evolving needs on the ground.

Strengthening partnerships for Quality Education

Speakers at the event reaffirmed the importance of collaboration in strengthening the education sector and addressing ongoing challenges.

Dr. Nafe’ Assaf, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, highlighted the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education’s commitment to improving access to quality learning opportunities, while acknowledging FCA’s contributions to supporting vulnerable learners. He emphasized the importance of continued partnerships to ensure that no child is left behind.

Ms. Tarja Kangaskorte, the Ambassador of Finland to Palestine, underscored Finland’s long-standing support for education in Palestine and commended FCA’s role as a trusted partner in promoting equity and inclusion. She noted that international cooperation remains essential to addressing complex challenges and creating opportunities for young people.

Ms. Etti Higgins, Deputy Representative UNICEF Palestine, also highlighted the critical importance of joint efforts, stressing that sustained collaboration is key to responding effectively to the needs of children and youth, particularly in times of uncertainty.

FCA’s growing role in the Middle East

FCA has been actively engaged in humanitarian and development work across the Middle East, with programmes spanning education, livelihoods, and peacebuilding. In the occupied Palestinian territory, FCA has focused on improving access to inclusive education, supporting teacher capacity, rehabilitating learning environments, and promoting inclusive education for marginalized groups.

The establishment of the Ramallah office strengthens FCA’s ability to build closer relationships with local communities, national authorities, and international partners. It also enhances coordination with FCA’s broader operations across the region, where the organization works to support resilience and sustainable development in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

Mr. Mazen Khzouz, FCA Director for the Middle East, highlighted the importance of this step:

“The opening of our Ramallah office strengthens our ability to deliver impactful education programmes in close partnership with national institutions and local actors. We are committed to working alongside the Ministry of Education, local organizations, and international partners to expand access to inclusive and safe learning, improve teaching quality, and support system-level change that benefits children and youth.”

FCA’s work in the occupied Palestinian territories

The inauguration concluded with a presentation by Mrs. Malvina Elkhoury, Country Programme Coordinator, who showcased FCA’s work and impact in the occupied Palestinian territory, followed by a video highlighting the FCA’s programmes in education and community support.

The new office positions FCA to further expand its reach and deepen its impact, contributing to a future where all children and young people have access to safe, inclusive, and quality education. Through strengthened partnerships and an enhanced local presence, FCA will continue working alongside communities to build resilience, promote equity, and support sustainable development across the occupied Palestinian territory and the wider Middle East.