Ayalim Association

The Ayalim Association was founded in 2002 by a group of young army veterans to promote the establishment of student villages and entrepreneurship in the Negev and the Galilee, as groundwork for permanent settlement and social activism. Ayalim seeks to channel young peoples' motivation and energy towards social action projects and Zionist achievements.

Since 2004, the Merage Foundation - Israel has been involved with the Ayalim Association and its student movement by granting donations for various operating and building expenses as well as coaching and mentoring its management team. As of November 2009, Ayalim has 11 student villages, with 500 students active in communities in Negev and Galilee and 5,000 students on a waiting list for future developments.
The objectives of the Merage Foundation - Israel are to enhance the Ayalim Association's goals on development, advancement, and establishment of the Negev, as well as community development and the connection of young, strong, and educated Israelis to the settlement of Negev.