On January 20th, under the patronage of Dr. Enas Attari, Minister of Labour, Palestine, SPARK hosted the “Future of Entrepreneurship” advocacy event in Ramallah. This important event aimed to engage the Ministry of Labour and key stakeholders within the Palestinian entrepreneurial ecosystem. As part of the EU-funded regional project “From Innovation to Creation,” the event explored ongoing and future efforts to support SMEs and startups in Palestine, while also working to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems across the MENA region. Through meaningful dialogue, dynamic discussions, and valuable partnerships, the event provided a platform for driving the future of Palestinian entrepreneurship forward.

The event began with a welcome address from Dina Al Masaeid, Regional Programme Director for the Middle East at SPARK, who emphasised the importance of fostering dialogue among stakeholders to build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. She stated, “Events like this are essential for bridging gaps and fostering dialogue among stakeholders, with the goal of building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. SPARK is dedicated to empowering Palestinian entrepreneurs to realise their full potential.”

Following her remarks, Dr. Enas Attari, Minister of Labour, delivered a keynote address, highlighting the critical role of policy in nurturing entrepreneurship and creating meaningful job opportunities. She further reinforced the government’s commitment, saying, “By aligning policies and strengthening partnerships, we can lay the foundation for sustainable growth and job creation. This dialogue is an important step towards unlocking the full potential of Palestinian entrepreneurs.”

The event featured three interactive panels that provided valuable insights into key aspects of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Palestine. The first panel, “Creating an Enabling Ecosystem,” brought together representatives from Flow Accelerator, TechnoPark, Gaza Sky Geeks, and other key enablers to discuss the policy gaps, challenges, and opportunities in fostering a supportive environment for startups in Palestine. The second panel, “The Role of Donors in Supporting Startups and SMEs,” included representatives from the European Union, Enabel, GIZ, and AICS, who shared their perspectives on how donor support can drive growth for entrepreneurs. Finally, the third panel, “Voices of Entrepreneurs: Challenges and Needs,” provided a platform for six entrepreneurs from the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem to share their personal experiences, highlight the challenges they face, and offer suggestions for improving the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The event showcased key milestones achieved under the “From Innovation to Creation” project, which aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem across Palestine and the wider MENA region. A significant achievement was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Labour, underscoring the commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and job creation through aligned policies and collaborative initiatives.

Providing a crucial platform for collaboration, the event brought together government bodies, private sector representatives, donors, and entrepreneurs. Ibrahim Laafia, Head of Cooperation at the European Union in Palestine, remarked: “The EU is proud to support initiatives that empower young innovators and contribute to building resilient economies. This event reflects our shared vision for a brighter future for Palestinian entrepreneurship.”

As the dialogue progresses, stakeholders remain dedicated to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship throughout Palestine. The event reinforced the vital role of collaboration in shaping policies, forging partnerships, and supporting entrepreneurs as essential drivers of economic growth.