The Galilee Foundation is proud to be supporting Al Quds University in East Jerusalem in a major Youth Employability and Entrepreneurship Programme, a three-year project which is now in its final stages.
Following a number of training programmes delivered in the earlier stages of this project, including 21st century skills, professional skills, financial literacy, and business development modules delivered to 500 participants, as well as a 3-day hackathon for young entrepreneurs.
In the latter stage of this employability and enterprise project, 60 entrepreneurs have attended workshops on how to access credit and capital (with bankers as guest speakers), equipping them with the skills needed to access funding resources and connect them with Palestinian banking systems.
10 startups have been provided seed funding of $5,000 each, as well as incubation services based on specific needs but including prototyping, business model development, mentorship coaching, and creative design for branding and visual visibility. The startups include Heritage Alive, an initiative preserving and revitalising the cultural heritage of Jerusalem through immersive Virtual Reality technology and motion-based interaction systems, allowing users to explore historical landmarks and experience cultural traditions through digital environments; Rafeeqek, a women’s health technology startup focused on reproductive and hormonal health; and ScrapCycle Solutions, a startup focussing on transforming waste management systems by redirecting recyclable materials such as plastics, rubber and cardboard away from businesses, in partnership with municipalities and businesses and promoting circular economy practices.
Mentorship and coaching services have been provided to young people during the incubation programme, and 5 cooperatives have undergone an acceleration programme to turn their ideas into a reality. The cooperatives supported include Royal Veil Cooperative – a cooperative preserving Palestinian cultural heritage through traditional fashion and embroidery, supporting female artisans and ensuring the continuation of traditional craftsmanship while also creating economic opportunities; Beitak Al Sihi Cooperative – a healthcare cooperative proving primary care services, preventative screenings and community health programmes in underserved areas; and Design Styne Fashion Cooperative – a creative cooperative producing modern and culturally inspiring fashion, helping members transform their creative skills into sustainable economic opportunities. Cooperatives such as these represent scalable examples of how community-driven entrepreneurship can strengthen local economies, preserve cultural identity, and empower a new generation of leaders.
The programme, with its comprehensive training and continuous mentorship, has already begun to demonstrate meaningful economic and social impact across Jerusalem and beyond, and it is hoped that the outcomes achieved so far will contribute to long-term sustainability and livelihood improvements for the targeted communities. If successful, a big aspect of the work of the new cooperatives will be wider job creation, as well as contributing to creating self-resilience inside Jerusalem, ensuring broader economic impact and deeper community engagement.
We wish all participants in the programme the very best for the future.
