The Jerusalem Center for Technology and Entrepreneurship at Al-Quds University concluded the Youth Economic Empowerment Project in Palestine (YEP), implemented by the University in partnership with the Belgian Development Agency (Enabel) and funded by the European Union.
The project trained 100 young entrepreneurs from Jerusalem and its surroundings in diverse fields, including business development, financial and legal aspects, technical skills, and twenty-first-century competencies. Out of these initiatives, 40 start-ups advanced to the incubation stage, which included advanced business development training and mentoring sessions to help align their ideas with market needs. Later, 18 start-ups received financial support that enabled their founders to further develop their projects, purchase necessary equipment and services, and launch their ideas into the market.
The closing ceremony featured presentations of the project’s outcomes and outlined future steps for implementing additional initiatives. The event was attended by Prof. Dr. Imad Abu Kishek, Center Director Dr. Radwan Qasrawi, representatives from Enabel, and representatives from the European Union.
Prof. Dr. Abu Kishek reaffirmed the University’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurial ideas and projects, noting that innovation plays a vital role in strengthening the local economy. He stressed that the University seeks to provide a nurturing environment that enables students and creative youth to develop their ideas into practical, competitive projects that increase job opportunities and reinforce their active role in serving society.
He added that the University brings in experts and specialists to support young entrepreneurs, refining their skills and ensuring that their projects respond to the needs of the Palestinian market and society. He emphasized the importance of entrepreneurial projects in Jerusalem and across Palestine, given their role in supporting community resilience and advancing the national economy.
Dr. Radwan Qasrawi presented the Center’s vision, which aims to place Palestinian youth at the forefront of technological innovation and entrepreneurship at the global level. He explained that the Center promotes a culture of entrepreneurial thinking and creative practice as key drivers for youth economic empowerment. He also reviewed the main programs carried out by the Center and shared evaluation results highlighting the needs of the entrepreneurial sector and the challenges facing young innovators.
Federico Foti, Program Officer at the European Union, expressed his satisfaction with the partnership with Al-Quds University, noting that the results reflect a high level of creativity and innovation among youth. He emphasized that these projects not only generate new solutions but also strengthen youth participation in community development, affirming the EU’s commitment to continue supporting entrepreneurial initiatives in Palestine in general, and in Jerusalem in particular, due to their strategic impact on society and the local economy.
Emily De Keyser, Director of the YEP project, expressed pride in the long-standing partnership with Al-Quds University, stressing that it has led to clear successes in supporting entrepreneurial ventures. She praised the outstanding presentations delivered by the participants, which reflected unique results and innovative ideas that highlight the value and impact of these projects on society.
The ceremony concluded with a tour of an exhibition featuring start-ups and cooperatives, where attendees viewed diverse projects, their outputs, and innovative concepts that showcased the richness and value of youth entrepreneurship in serving society and fostering a culture of innovation.
As part of the program, 40 young participants from Jerusalem and its surroundings also received specialized training on cooperatives, covering topics such as cooperative business development, management, and leadership. Five cooperatives were later selected to receive financial support that enabled them to expand their activities and complete their formal registration.
