Abraham Path Initiative Inc

Programs: To develop the abraham path together with local partners in the middle east: 2,026 km of trail created by end of 2017, across 151 communities, and with just under 15,000 walkers in the year. Together with our partners we trained new guides and homestay hosts and we increased the number of direct grants to local partners, as well as the number and size of grants distributed under a project we manage for the world bank. The project also received major endorsement from national geographic with the abraham path being ranked the number 1 best new trail in the world. The organizationhelps bridge a gap between peoples of the middle east and the wider world by catalyzing sustainable economic and cultural development in the region through experiential tourism and exceptional storytelling. In 2017, guide-training programs were expanded in palestine and sinai, with a total of 33 certified guides now working in palestine and 15 in sinai. Average annual income by homestay hosts and guides along the masar ibrahim (palestine) rose by $7,500. Two of the trails nurtured by the organization (sinai trail and jordan trail) featured in wanderlust travel magazine's list of top six trails in the world. At the invitation of the saudi commission on tourism and heritage, the organization began scouting a new trail in saudi arabia. Leon mccarron published the land beyond, based on his walk through the entire system of trails, and essays by stephanie saldaa were published in the new york times. Ten years into the project, enhanced social cohesion, advances in income, greater knowledge about the people and cultures of the region, as well as a growing culture of walking by both locals and internationals on trails in the middle east are proven benefits of the organization's engagement. The world bank made available reimbursement grants of $2,324,008. On november 18, 2016, the grant award was increased an additional $1,000,000. Revenue under this grant is recognized as allowable costs, as identified in the grant budget, are incurred. During the year ended december 31, 2017, the organization recognized revenue of $361,161 under such reimbursement grant. Cumulative funds of $2,670,753 have been earned and recognized as revenue from inception of the grant through december 31, 2017. The organization provided story-telling grants to a film-maker on a 1,000 miles journey across the region and a cultural heritage researcher to document intangible endangered heritage along the cultural routes. Through a significant grant to a sister organisation in europe, the organization invested in awareness and engagement of media, travellers, and donors in switzerland, france, the netherlands, germany, and the united kingdom.