Women as the Catalysts of Change in West Bank and Gaza

This project aims to enhance economic empowerment and increase the prosperity of women graduates and women-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the West Bank and Gaza. The project also aims to expand the “Wassalny” program of the Business Women Forum (BWF) while also improving the ability of BWF to deliver gender-sensitive business development services to women-led SMEs. The “Wassalny” program builds the capacities of women entrepreneurs by providing them with training and coaching marketing skills and networking opportunities with suppliers. It also connects women entrepreneurs to a network of qualified women graduates who can help them develop and implement marketing and business plans. Project activities include: (1) offering a capacity building program to women graduates to enhance their employability and technical skills in areas such as marketing plans sales techniques social media leadership and entrepreneurship; (2) providing SMEs with business development services in areas such as marketing and business plans financial management and the use of social media to promote and grow a business; and (3) having BWF personnel attend training/coaching sessions.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) enhanced economic opportunities for women graduates; (2) enhanced business opportunities for women-led small and medium enterprises; and (3) improved quality of business development services provided by BWF to Palestinian women.