20-06-2018 | di COOPI

Boosting innovative entrepreneurship in East Jerusalem

On June 7^th 2018, 28 young Palestinian entrepreneurs received startup kits to launch their own businesses in East Jerusalem. COOPI delivered the kits to the graduates of the “Start your own business program” who designed the most valid business plans.

"Start your own business program" falls under a project implemented by COOPI in partnership with the League of Vocational Education and Training Association and with Al Saraya Center. The project - funded by the European Union - is also being carried out in collaboration with the IECD (Institut Européen de Coopération et de Développement), a French organization specialized in the setup of small businesses and in business management training. The distribution of kits was attended by the EU East Jerusalem program manager, the Heads of the above-mentioned partners and by representatives of the vocational training centers supported.

Since 2002, COOPI has been promoting innovation and sustainable economic development through market-relevant vocational training in a country challenged by unemployment and by social, economic and mobility constrains. In light of the widespread gender inequality in the workplace that affects Palestine, the project seeks to ensure a fair participation of males and females, as demonstrated by the fact that almost half of the participants were women.

The business plans cover a wide variety of industries, including professional photography, auto-mechanics, carpentry, ceramics, gastronomy and hairdressing. The young entrepreneurs are followed regularly, so that they can receive support if needed. Currently, some of them are being contacted to deliver services for other activities of COOPI projects.

A second phase of the "Start your own business program" has ended recently, with new kits to be delivered soon and a third phase to be held in the first semester of 2019. Issa Rajabi, one of the graduates, stated: «I'm really happy and thankful to COOPI and the EU for this great equipment. It will help me to be independent, increase my income and start my own business as car repairer». Yasmin Sader, another graduate, happily said: «This kit will enable me to enter the labor market and start producing ceramic products in different shapes» .