From the outset, the foundation identified the Negev’s enormous potential as a growth engine in the State of Israel. Over the years it has led and funded many high impact initiatives, including the establishment of the Merage Medical Center Dimona and the Rehabilitation Center in Sderot; a variety of employment and entrepreneurship initiatives; as well as dozens of festivals and cultural events with hundreds of thousands in attendance. The fund provides holistic support to local municipalities in the development of demographic, economic, urban design, health, and transportation growth plans.
Regional Development Initiatives
Additional Initiatives and Programs for the Development of the Negev
The Merage Foundation is proud to collaborate with Creation-Space, with a unique focus on transforming Mitzpe Ramon into a pioneering space city. Creation-Space, a global innovation hub, advances Space-Earth technologies aimed at supporting sustainable human presence in space while enhancing life on Earth. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the Merage Foundation’s vision of making the Negev a global innovation hub connecting communities, technology, and the environment.
The Merage Foundation, in collaboration with the Ramat Negev Regional Council, has published the Ben-Gurion Report 2025, providing an updated overview of government investments in the Negev.
This initiative highlights the vision of David Ben-Gurion and supports the development and revitalization of the region. This year, the project was carried out together with the Ministry of the Negev, the Ministry of the Galilee and National Resilience, and the Negev Development Authority. Read the full report here
Immediately after the onset of the Iron Swords War, the Merage Foundation mobilized for the rehabilitation and renewal of the Western Negev, driven by the vision and necessity of planning and rebuilding significantly improved infrastructures alongside the restoration of the region and its residents. A unique partnership was forged with the “Hope for Generations Forum” and additional partners, leading a comprehensive process aimed at creating regional solutions for the reconstruction of the Western Negev, while achieving a socio-economic leap forward.
The Merage Foundation is committed to leveraging and securing key strategic opportunities for regional economic development. These include:
Support for the National Committee for the establishment of a airport in Negev, Support for the development of the Bedouin community, Providing tools for innovative urban planning for local government, Establishing a forum for municipal authorities to enhance regional cooperation.
The Merage Medical Center in Dimona is the second-largest and most important medical center in the Negev, other than the Soroka Hospital. The large compound includes a trauma room, specialist clinics, and a dialysis clinic. The complex is open 24 hours a day, providing local residents with highly professional medical care.
The Merage Foundation views the connection between culture, original local creation and economic development as a key in promoting life in the Negev. That is the reason the foundation has supported dozens of cultural ventures across the Negev, including the encouragement of creative programs, festivals, and performances that have expanded audiences’ exposure to the region.
In order to ensure sustainable economic development in the region, the Merage Foundation has joined the Negev Council, which has been promoting the establishment of an airport in Nevatim.
A unique training course for entrepreneurs who are interested in starting an innovative business in the Negev. The program includes weekly meetings in which the entrepreneurs meet with professionals as well as potential investors, in accordance with their business’ progress, and gain the knowledge they need in order to make their business a success.
The Merage Foundation has made it one of its primary goals to encourage young people in Israel to settle the Negev. It has been doing so by connecting between them and presenting them with settlement opportunities through conferences in Tel Aviv and introductory tours in communities across the Negev.
