121 - Engine for Social Change

- Who are we: We are 121 Engine for Social change, and we move mountains. 121 is the only organization in Israel directly engaged in on social and economic advocacy, bringing social justice principles to rebuilding the national safety net infrastructure. We accomplish this by empowering citizens to influence their government on issues that affect them directly, strengthening Israel's democratic culture and values. Last year (2022), we mobilized 3 billion shekels of public funding to solve root problems in Israel's social safety net and social infrastructure. Israel is widely recognized as an advanced, developed economy, yet the growing social and economic disparities are far less acknowledged. The disparities in social infrastructure affect all groups – ranging from Mizrachi to Haredi to Secular Israelis - and weaken the Israeli economy and society. That’s where we come in. - What we do: We advocate on behalf of the Israeli public. 121 engages in social policy design and advocacy focused on employment, health care, education, housing, and welfare. Why? because these social rights provide the security and safety entitled to all Israeli citizens. We promote policy change only if it impacts at least tens of thousands and is a cross-sector issue. For example: • We convinced the Education Ministry to invest over 120 million ILS in vocational training for 9,000 early-age caregivers. This investment affects the lives of 70,000 Israeli children. • During Covid-19, we secured legislation that allowed more than 100,000 unemployed to receive enhanced benefits totaling 2.3 billion ILS. Our mission is to identify root problems in social infrastructure, design solutions, and advocate for policymakers to fund and implement the programs we propose. - How we do it: Our solutions are research-based. Before we advocate, we do a deep dive into the landscape. Applying advanced social services principles and research techniques, we ask the hard questions and drill into who and how many are most affected and evaluate the range of approaches that could be used. Through research, we cultivate a bedrock of partnerships with activists, non-profit organizations, the business community, and others. Together with 170 diverse partners across the ideological spectrum, we cast a wider influence net. Nothing in Israel comes close to our scale and success. Since our establishment in 2017, we have been building relationships with policymakers, Knesset members, government ministries, and stakeholders. These relationships are the key to our mission of promoting policy change. Our work is non-partisan, and so are our collaborators within the Israeli Knesset. - How can you help: Our work impacts the lives of hundreds of thousands of people from low socio-economic backgrounds. Our practical and feasible solutions are a product of combined years of experience and familiarity with the policymaking labyrinth and protagonists. With the current government's formation, the State wheels are turning again. 2023 is critical for advancing the most pressing social infrastructure issues we face. 121 needs your support in our work to intertwine social justice with public funding. Donate to 121 Engine for Social change and choose to make an impact!