Ramallah-(BNEWS)-On January 20th, under the patronage of Dr. Enas Attari, Minister of Labour, Palestine, SPARK hosted the “Future of Entrepreneurship” advocacy event in Ramallah.
This important event aimed to engage the Ministry of Labour and key stakeholders within the Palestinian entrepreneurial ecosystem. As part of the EU-funded regional project “From Innovation to Creation,” the event explored ongoing and future efforts to support SMEs and startups in Palestine, while also working to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems across the MENA region.
Through meaningful dialogue, dynamic discussions, and valuable partnerships, the event provided a platform for driving the future of Palestinian entrepreneurship forward.
The event began with a welcome address from Dina Al Masaeid, Regional Programme Director for the Middle East at SPARK, who emphasised the importance of fostering dialogue among stakeholders to build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. She stated, “Events like this are essential for bridging gaps and fostering dialogue among stakeholders, with the goal of building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. SPARK is dedicated to empowering Palestinian entrepreneurs to realise their full potential.”
Following her remarks, Dr. Enas Attari, Minister of Labour, delivered a keynote address, highlighting the critical role of policy in nurturing entrepreneurship and creating meaningful job opportunities.
She further reinforced the government’s commitment, saying, “By aligning policies and strengthening partnerships, we can lay the foundation for sustainable growth and job creation.This dialogue is an important step towards unlocking the full potential of Palestinian entrepreneurs.”
Engaging Panels and Discussions
The event featured three interactive panels:
Panel 1: “Creating an Enabling Ecosystem”
The first panel brought together prominent key players from the enabling ecosystem including Ms. Majd Khalifeh from Flow Accelerator, Mr. Ala Alaeldeen from TechnoPark, Ms.Rand Safi from Gaza Sky Geeks, Dr. Saro Nakashian from Education for Employment (EFE) and Mr. Ali Ramadan from PPU Business Incubator.
The panelists discussed policy gaps, challenges, and opportunities in creating a supportive environment for startups in Palestine.
Panel 2: “The Role of Donors in Supporting Startups and SMEs”
This panel included representatives from donors supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem including Mr. Ibrahim Laafia from the European Union, Ms. Bartelijne van den Boogert from Enabel, Ms. Anja Gomm from GIZ, and Mr. Mirko Tricoli from AICS.
The panelists with the moderator Mr. Feras Nasr, the partnership advisor at TechStart touched on pressing issues the ecosystem faces, and shared insights on how donor support can catalyse growth for entrepreneurs.
Panel 3: “Voices of Entrepreneurs: Challenges and Needs”
The third panel gave the stage to entrepreneurs from the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem to share their experiences, challenges, and suggestions for improving the ecosystem. The panel witnessed enriching conversations about the entrepreneurial journey in Palestine, it's challenges and specialities. The panel was joined by Mr.Amer Kurdi, CEO ADEL, Mr. Omar Rayan, CEO Edubook, Ms. Dana Rwaidy, Mr. Fuad Bitar & three entrepreneurs from Gaza Mr. Mahmoud Lulu, Ms. Rasha Alawar and Ms. Wafa Alawar.
The event showcased key milestones achieved under the “From Innovation to Creation” project, which aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem across Palestine and the wider MENA region. A significant achievement was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Labour, underscoring the commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and job creation through aligned policies and collaborative initiatives.
Providing a crucial platform for collaboration, the event brought together government bodies, private sector representatives, donors, and entrepreneurs. Ibrahim Laafia, Head of Cooperation at the European Union in Palestine, remarked: “The EU is proud to support initiatives that empower young innovators and contribute to building resilient economies. This event reflects our shared vision for a brighter future for Palestinian entrepreneurship.”
As the dialogue progresses, stakeholders remain dedicated to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship throughout Palestine. The event reinforced the vital role of collaboration in shaping policies, forging partnerships, and supporting entrepreneurs as essential drivers of economic growth.
About SPARK
SPARK is an international non-governmental development organisation active in 14 regions throughout the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa. For over 25 years, SPARK has been creating pathways for young people to rebuild their futures. SPARK provides opportunities for youth, particularly women and refugees, to study, work and grow their own businesses in fragile communities through the provision of higher (vocational) education scholarships, entrepreneurship development and SME support. All SPARK’s programmes are founded on close collaboration with local partner organisations.
