Five-year goals 2025-2029

1. Administrative: Developing structure of PIBS to be effective and sustainable including building more capacity in newer areas like seed banking and consultancies for environmental impact. We have now two deputy directors and five staff members. The goal is to get the third deputy director and a minimum of ten staff members by the end of the five-year period. The PIBS’s organizational model is and will be strengthened as horizontal and inclusive, combining scientific rigor with participatory governance—reflecting the very sustainability we seek to promote. We will also develop measure/quantify and keep track looking for continuous quality improvement not merely quality assurance

2. Facilities: a) develop the new museum of natural history (opening early 2026) with interactive exhibits and expand it going forward (interactive, object based, behavioral changing), b) the botanic gardens to include a peace garden and a Biblical/Quranic garden, c) develop at least one replica of PIBS (Gaza Strip). Work on expanding global accessibility beyond the physical visitation by developing the cyber space of the museum. Expand cooperation and collaboration with other museums and similar institutes for new and rotated exhibits and knowledge.

3. Programming: a) Develop programs for women; b) Develop the Mobile educational unit and visit more marginalized communities; c) develop a Global Sustainability Matchmaking Platform that maps Societal and ecological needs and individuals and organizations willing to address them.

4. Collections: A) Expand seed & gene bank (minimum 100 species added each year), B) Expand the ethnography, herbarium and zoological collections (30% increase annually); C) Digitize 50% of the ethnography, herbarium, and zoological collections for online access, ensuring they feed the Knowledge Commons

5. Academics and research/publications: a) Publish minimum 20 scientific applied research papers, >30 articles, and one book per year; b) Develop new diploma, BSc, and masters programs

6. Conservation: a) Expand Center for Biodiversity (include research, conservation and plus a functioning Molecular phylogenetic/DNA barcoding done and operational); b) expand consultancies related to conservation, c) Expand Animal Rehabilitation Unit; d) Collectively establish ethnoecology center at BU, e) Strengthening/building minimum 5 new projects relating to citizen empowerment, environmental awareness; f) Become the premier model for green spreadable sustainable economy (e.g. via reduce, recycle, reuse, reforesting systems locally at campus and in communities throughout Palestine); g) establish Youth for Sustainability Labs-innovation spaces (onsite and online) that empower youth to co-design technological tools (apps, platforms, sensors) and Social models (cooperatives, education programs, art initiatives).

7. Mainstreaming: To expand its influence, PIBS will:

8. Increase visitation by 100% (considering pandemic and political issues) and the quality improves in ways positively impact education (schools & universities)
9. Develop a multimedia strategy including videos, podcasts, exhibitions
10. Share stories of resilience, coexistence, and innovation from Palestine and beyond.
11. Develop board of advisors and “friends of PIBS” that help fundraise and bring other support like networking etc
12. Engage in global dialogues (IUCN, UNEP, UNESCO, IPBES) to advocate for the integration of justice and biodiversity.
13. Build partnerships with artists, educators, and journalists to reframe narratives around Palestine—not as tragedy, but as a wellspring of life and learning.
14. Create a PIBS Global Fellows Program, recognizing individuals advancing sustainability and justice.
15. Organize thematic circles and working groups (e.g. biodiversity, education, heritage, climate action).

16. Develop a Knowledge Commons—a freely accessible digital archive of PIBS research, teaching materials, and case studies. Document and publish outcomes to ensure transparency and global learning.

17. Fundraising: Increase fundraising efforts in the three streams: a) Earned Income (Consultancies, Museum tickets, museum restaurant, products sold by PIBS), b) Restricted Grants (Projects), c) Unrestricted Endowment (Financial Stability). Start introducing income generating activities within PIBS. This will serve the sustainability of the institute on the long run and will reduce the institute’s dependency on funds and donations. Income generating activities such as, but not limited to, could be agricultural products producing and celling, consultancy services, environment assessment and solutions offering services… etc.)

We are construction a new green museum building, along with adjacent exhibit halls to serve those needs. The work commenced in July 2024. Funding is from USAID-American Schools and Hospitals Abroad Program ($700,000) Munib and Angela Masri Foundation ($400,000) towards the project, but it will needs an additional $500,000, so we are seeking donations. For designs and other information on the project see this folder. Yet our mbitions include even a new green building which will cost even more: see this Brochure and Powerpoint on New architecture.