Our Story
Project Wadi Attir
In the heart of the northern Negev, just over an hour from Tel Aviv, Project Wadi Attir is creating a new model for sustainable community development. Set across nearly 100 acres of desert landscape, the site brings together an ecological farm, a visitor center, and a vibrant cultural and educational hub rooted in Bedouin heritage and environmental innovation.
The initiative was founded through the shared vision of Dr. Michael Ben Eli, founder of The Sustainability Laboratory, and Dr. Mohammed Alnabari, former Mayor of the Bedouin town of Hura. Together, they sought to combine traditional Bedouin knowledge with advanced environmental technologies in order to build a pioneering model of sustainable desert agriculture.
Sustainable Agriculture with Deep Roots
Project Wadi Attir demonstrates how sustainability principles can be translated into practical, community driven solutions for arid regions in Israel and around the world.
The project includes a wide range of organic agricultural initiatives, including herds of goats and sheep producing traditional dairy products, medicinal plant cultivation based on Bedouin healing traditions, and the production of natural cosmetics and herbal infusions. The site also features an ‘edible’ forest with diverse fruit trees and the cultivation of nutrient rich local vegetables.
These agricultural systems are supported by advanced eco-friendly technologies, including solar energy, biogas production, composting, and smart water management systems. The project also operates an innovative atmospheric water generation system that produces water directly from the air using cutting edge technology.
Community Empowerment and Education
At the center of Project Wadi Attir is the Bedouin community itself. The project operates through a unique Jewish-Bedouin partnership model with shared leadership and ownership. Approximately 70% of the project staff are Bedouin women from neighboring villages who lead many of the project’s operational and production activities.
Alongside its agricultural work, the project offers educational programming for children and youth, workshops for adults, and a young leadership preparatory program in partnership with the youth organization “Desert Stars”.
A Cultural and Tourist Experience
Visitors to Project Wadi Attir are invited to experience Bedouin culture firsthand. Guests can enjoy traditional Bedouin coffee in the hospitality tent, participate in workshops on traditional cheese making, knafeh preparation, spice blending, and jewelry making using natural materials, and learn about the customs and traditions of Bedouin hospitality.
The site also includes a visitor center, a modern conference and event venue, a therapeutic horse farm, a café, and a nature playground, making it an ideal destination for families and group visits.
Partnerships and Support
Project Wadi Attir is supported by a broad network of public institutions, academic partners, philanthropic foundations, private donors, and business leaders.
Project Wadi Attir is far more than an agricultural initiative. It is a story of hope, partnership, and shared responsibility. It demonstrates how combining tradition, innovation, and community leadership can create meaningful and lasting change.
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