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Sustainable Startups Projects
Turning ideas into sustainable livelihoods for women, young people, farmers and people with disabilities across Palestine.
In Palestine, high unemployment, especially among young people and women, makes it hard for talented people to find decent work. Many have the ideas and the drive to build their own businesses but lack the skills, networks and funding to start.
Through its Community Service Center, An-Najah National University runs the Supporting Sustainable Startups & Community Projects initiative to close that gap. Working with University faculties and centers and with local and international partners, the University helps people launch and grow small businesses, social enterprises and cooperatives that create income while protecting the environment and strengthening their communities. The projects below show this work in practice, from green agriculture and food safety to social and digital entrepreneurship.
How We Support Sustainable Startups
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Skills and training: entrepreneurship, business planning, digital skills and good agricultural practices.
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Mentoring and incubation: guidance from university experts and business innovation centers to turn ideas into working businesses.
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Access to funding: small grants and in-kind support through partner projects, for individuals and cooperatives.
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Green and inclusive focus: priority to businesses that protect the environment and include women, youth and people with disabilities.
Our Projects
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She Succeeds WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT · AGRICULTURE
Helps marginalized young Palestinian women aged 19–29 launch and grow agricultural startups, with a focus on green value chains and innovative technologies.
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Who |
Young women entrepreneurs and women-led or mixed cooperatives |
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Where |
Tubas, Jordan Valley, Tulkarem, Jenin, Nablus and Gaza |
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When |
2019–2023 |
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Support |
Grants of up to USD 5,600 per individual and USD 15,000 per cooperative |
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SDGs |
SDG 1 · SDG 5 · SDG 8 |
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MoreThanAJob SOCIAL ECONOMY · EMPLOYMENT
Strengthens cooperation between social and solidarity economy organizations and public authorities to improve employment and education support for people at risk of exclusion. An-Najah National University leads the project.
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Who |
Unemployed people, including those with little education, migrants and refugees, and around 250 organizations |
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Where |
Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Italy and Greece |
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Funding |
EU ENI CBC Med, €2 million total budget |
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SDGs |
SDG 8 · SDG 10 · SDG 17 |
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GREENLAND GREEN ECONOMY
A Mediterranean cross-border project supporting green jobs and sustainable enterprises, in which An-Najah takes part as a Palestinian partner.
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Funding |
EU ENI CBC Med program |
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SDGs |
SDG 8 · SDG 12 |
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Let's Start Up DISABILITY INCLUSION · SOCIAL BUSINESS
Promotes the social economy and disability inclusion by creating social businesses that help women with disabilities and mothers of children with disabilities find work or become self-employed.
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Where |
Nablus and Ramallah governorates |
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Duration |
36 months |
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Partners |
An-Najah's NABIC business innovation Centre, Birzeit University, the Chambers of Commerce of Nablus and Ramallah, and Italian partners; funded by Italian Cooperation |
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SDGs |
SDG 5 · SDG 8 · SDG 10 |
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PAL GAP AGRICULTURE · FOOD SAFETY
Building Community Resilience and Improving Livelihoods and Food Security through Good Agricultural Practices. Led by the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, it helps farmers produce safer, higher-quality vegetables more sustainably.
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Who |
Farmers, including women farmers |
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Where |
Tulkarem (Shufa, Baqa al-Sharqiya) and Jenin (Burqin, Kafr Dan, Jalama, Jalbun, Deir Abu Da'if) |
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Partners |
Directorates of Agriculture in Tulkarem and Jenin |
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SDGs |
SDG 2 · SDG 8 · SDG 12 |
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GreenJobs YOUTH EMPLOYMENT · AGRI-FOOD
Green Jobs and Sustainable Income Opportunities for Palestinian Female and Male Youth in the Agri-food Sector. Improves young people's access to decent, sustainable green jobs in food and agriculture.
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Who |
University students, recent graduates and unemployed young women and men |
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Partners |
Implemented by FAO with the Ministry of Agriculture and five Palestinian universities, including An-Najah; funded by Denmark |
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SDGs |
SDG 2 · SDG 8 |
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Skilled Young Palestine YOUTH SKILLS · JOB CREATION
SkillsUp youth training that improves resilience and job creation for young people through skills development, with particular attention to young women.
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Where |
Gaza, the northern West Bank, Hebron and East Jerusalem |
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When |
2020–2024 |
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Funding |
Belgium, implemented by Enable; €7.5 million budget |
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SDGs |
SDG 4 · SDG 5 · SDG 8 |
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EPISODE DIGITAL · SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Enhancing Palestinian Social and Digital Entrepreneurship. Defines future skills, upskills teachers and mentors, and pilots a blended course with young people and early-stage startups, with online learning in Arabic and English.
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Partners |
UNIMED, An-Najah National University (Continuing Education Center), Birzeit University, Build Palestine and ALL DIGITAL |
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Funding |
EU Erasmus+, until June 2025 |
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SDGs |
SDG 4 · SDG 8 · SDG 9 |
Our Implementing Partners
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An-Najah Innovation Park INNOPARK (INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP)
The University's innovation park, which brings An-Najah's resources to innovators and entrepreneurs. Its Training Center offers industry-specific training, a Continuing Education Unit and the Korean-Palestinian Institute of Information Technology, building on innovation and entrepreneurship work at the University since 2007.
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An-Najah Center for Training and Rehabilitation (VOCATIONAL TRAINING)
Established in 2006 by Hisham Hijjawi College to give vocational skills to people who could not complete formal education. Licensed by the Ministry of Labor, it offers one-year practical programs that prepare graduates for work or self-employment, including:
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Electrical work, plumbing, HVAC and auto mechanics
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Computer and mobile repair, networking and graphic design
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Furniture making, agriculture and beauty care
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Continuing Education Center PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Builds professional skills among young people, employees and women to support economic development. It offers professional training such as ISO 9001 quality management and Good Manufacturing Practice for the food and pharmaceutical industries, and took part in the EPISODE project on social and digital entrepreneurship.
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Scientific Centers RESEARCH & TESTING
The University's research centers provide laboratory testing, applied research and technical advice that help startups develop safe, high-quality products and sustainable solutions, from water and energy to food and agriculture.
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Faculty of Business and Communication (BUSINESS SKILLS )
Brings expertise in business planning, management, marketing, finance and communication, helping entrepreneurs turn their ideas into viable, well-run projects that can reach their customers.
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Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Agricultural Engineering (GREEN AGRICULTURE)
Leads and partners in agricultural livelihood projects that create green jobs and safer food.
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Faculty of Engineering TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS
Provides engineering expertise for product design, prototyping and technical solutions, helping startups build practical, efficient and environmentally responsible products and services.
Have an Idea for a Sustainable Startup?
Students, graduates, women's groups, cooperatives and community organizations are welcome to contact the Community Service Center to learn about current opportunities for training, mentoring and support.