In 2004, the African Refugee Development Center (ARDC) was founded by a political refugee from Ethiopia who had resolved to help the thousands of other African asylum seekers fleeing to Israel. ARDC thus began its work as a humanitarian aid organization and originally provided new arrivals with shelter, food and medical attention. In 2009, ARDC began offering language classes, psychosocial support and paralegal assistance, as the community needs shifted to looking for longer-term solutions. 

Today, The African Refugee Development Center (ARDC) is a grassroots, community-based nonprofit organization that was founded by African asylum seekers and Israeli citizens, in order to protect, assist and empower African refugees and asylum seekers in Israel. ARDC promotes leadership and self-sufficiency as well as advocates for a humane and fair Israeli asylum policy.​

Since 2014, ARDC has focused its work on empowering the community and not only providing services. ARDC began offering community leadership courses, increased its advocacy efforts, expanded its paralegal outreach to many cities outside Tel Aviv, and shifted its education program from language classes to higher education and vocational support.

To date, ARDC has served over 14,000 refugees and asylum seekers from Eritrea, Sudan, Ethiopia and other countries.  

Vision

To enable and ensure that all refugees and asylum seekers are free from persecution, live in dignity and have an opportunity to realize their aspirations

Mission

To protect, assist and empower African refugees and asylum seekers in Israel by advocating on their behalf and enabling processes that increase their awareness, ensure participation and inspire policy change.