International Development Grant
Technology Enabled Careers Harnessing Untapped Potential
Project Number: CA-3-P005174001
Status: Operational
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $9,978,499.00
Start Date: March 28, 2018
End Date: December 31, 2022
Duration: 4.8 years
Project Description
This project aims to engage women and youth in technology-enabled careers in the West Bank and Gaza. This is done by addressing key barriers to their employment connecting them with employment opportunities and assisting them in creating sustainable employment opportunities for themselves by facilitating the growth of viable start-ups. The project directly addresses the myriad challenges facing new entrepreneurs and tech-enabled workers. Project activities include: (1) developing a local career-counselling guide for technology-enabled careers as an alternative to traditional employment; (2) training female and male youth through courses apprenticeships and internships in the technical skills demanded by employers; (3) running an apprenticeship programme for small groups of online freelancers; (4) mentoring sessions for young women entrepreneurs linking them with successful international or local businesswomen; and (5) incubating and/or accelerating start-ups including helping them validate and refine their products/service offerings and business plans. The project is implemented by Mercy Corps.
Expected Results
The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) reduced barriers to entrepreneurship employment and/or employability faced by women and youth; (2) improved technical skills for women and youth; (3) improved ability of women and youth to earn income through tech-enabled employment; (4) increased targeted support for young women entrepreneurs; and (5) increased access for women and youth entrepreneurs to resources necessary to create a viable start-up.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of March 2020 include: (1) 95% (of which 93% were women) of 280 graduates (including 166 women) reported reduced barriers at the end of the training period exceeding the target of 70%; (2) 54% of graduates continue to earn an average monthly income of $300 USD or more six months post-program exceeding the target of 50%; (3) Freelance Academy graduates generated an income of over $345 000 USD (women: $173 700 men: $171 800) by completing over 3 850 (including 1 930 women) freelance gig jobs. The graduates also referred jobs to 333 individuals who in turn generated a further $56 000 USD; (4) 99% of women Freelance Academy participants reported that freelancing provided the flexibility to earn an income and manage family obligations as tech-enabled employment offers appropriate opportunities for women who face challenges working outside their home providing flexible working hours and reducing concerns regarding transportation and access to safe spaces; and (4) from the first cohort of the start-up accelerator program 67% (of which 80% were women) of the Gaza-based start-ups are still active with cumulative revenue of $31 000 USD since founding
Key Information
Executing Agency:
Mercy Corps
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
EGM Europe Arctic Middle East and Magh
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Project-type interventions
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Call for Proposals