New Initiative Connects Palestinian Youth to Jobs

GAZA, PALESTINE - Prosper Global (formerly Mercy Corps), through its Gaza Sky Geeks program, has launched the ‘Learning to Earning’ initiative, which is presented by GlocalShift Foundation in strategic partnership with the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund, A 12-month initiative that helps Palestinian youth and women strengthen their skills, access employment opportunities, and improve their livelihoods.
The initiative will provide 410 young people with market-driven technical and freelancing training, along with awareness sessions on digital career pathways and freelancing opportunities. It will also provide professional and soft-skills training, experiential learning, and an internship program for 45 participants to help young people move from skills development to employment and income generation opportunities.
The initiative responds to the challenges Palestinian youth face in accessing employment and income opportunities, particularly amid economic uncertainty and limited access to professional networks, suitable work environments, and market-relevant skills. Through eight specialized technical and freelance training sessions, six awareness sessions, and two experiential learning and internship cohorts, the program will connect learning with practical opportunities in the changing labor market.
Women will be a key focus of the initiative, with a target of at least 40% female participation, representing 222 participants across program activities. The initiative will also engage young people who face additional barriers to economic participation, including refugees and other vulnerable groups.
The initiative will also strengthen the environment in which young people learn and work. Two coworking spaces will receive operational support, including electricity and internet access, enabling 100 members of the local tech community to access viable spaces for work, collaboration, and income-generating activities. 
“At Gaza Sky Geeks we believe the challenge is not a lack of talent, but access to opportunity,” said Alan El-Kadhi, Director of Gaza Sky Geeks. “The Learning to Earning program brings together skills development, professional experience, community spaces and connections to help Palestinian youth take practical steps toward employment and income generation.”
The initiative is implemented by Gaza Sky Geeks, a program of Prosper Global (formerly Mercy Corps), in collaboration with GlocalShift Foundation, which works in strategic partnership with the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund. By connecting skills development with practical pathways to employment and providing a supportive working environment, the initiative aims to help Palestinian youth access economic opportunities and build more sustainable and resilient livelihoods.”