Urban development and lack of appropriate management has been threatening the archaeological site of Tell Balata. In order to save it from further destruction, in 2010 the Tell Balata Archaeological Park project was started. The aims of the project are to make a heritage management plan for a sustainable use of the site and to make it better accessible for visitors. Part of this plan is to involve the local community. As they are the most important stakeholders, they need to be introduced to the archaeological heritage of the site and to its social, cultural and economic value. The project also includes some additional scientific research and the development of an archive about the site.

The participants in the project are the Palestinian Department of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MOTA-DACH), The Faculty of Archaeology of Leiden University (The Netherlands) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Objectives of 2011
The objectives of the 2011 campaign concern excavations, promotion and awareness, community involvement, gathering oral histories and educating children. They have been pointed out in a handout, which was produced for the opening ceremony of June 21st.