The Green Business Development (GBD) workshop kicked off yesterday in Gaza, Palestine. This represents a major step for SwitchMed as it implies green entrepreneurs are starting their trainings in that area. This workshop is part of a series of 6 trainings that are designed within the framework of the Green Entrepreneurship programme carried out locally by the B-Hub of the Birzeit University, leader of the Switchers Support National Partnership in Palestine, with the support of the Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP/RAC). The first 5 workshops targeted the green entrepreneurs in the West Bank areas of Palestine. The sixth workshop will bring new opportunities to green businesses and help boost Green Economy in a deprived Gazan area.
The call for applications of the GBD workshop was launched on 21 January by the Birzeit University with the aim to reach potential green entrepreneurs, with a special focus on youth and women. 117 applications (of which 50 women) were received and 71 pre-selected to participate in the training programme. The business ideas presented by the Gazan entrepreneurs address critical environmental issues such as waste recycling, organic farming, replacement of chemical fertilizers with ecological ones, hydroponics, environment-friendly fishing, and the manufacturing of ecological products such as natural animal feed
The workshop is made of 5 online sessions over 5 weeks to assist green entrepreneurs from Gaza to develop their business models, and therefore their products and services. The online modality was chosen by applicants that were consulted on that topic when they applied. The workshops are being carried out by 2 local trainers and 2 green business advisors from the Birzeit University. It is based on the methodology developed by SCP/RAC to guide green entrepreneurs, from defining their idea to the commercialization of their products and/or services. This methodology consists in a set of materials available on TheSwitchers.org platform.
This activity gave the Switcher Support National Partnership of Palestine the opportunity to establish new alliances and create synergies with business organizations in Gaza such as the University College of Applied Sciences (UCAS), which is involved in the ENI CBC Med Helios programme. Within the framework of this new collaboration, the Birzeit University and UCAS aim to further disseminate their respective programmes in the country in order to increase the networking opportunities for potential entrepreneurs and start-ups, to build capacities and exchange experiences and best practices.
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The Demo Day will take place at the University of Haifa on July 6th, 2023, featuring the SwitchMed Blue Economy methodology. Fifteen graduate participants will have the opportunity to present their projects to investors, marking the final segment of the Blue Economy program syllabus. See more