BuildPalestine has officially revealed its 2025 Root Fellows, marking the fifth cohort of the social enterprise accelerator program. This year’s cohort consists of eight social entrepreneurs selected for their innovative approaches to addressing critical social, environmental, and economic challenges across the Palestinian territories and the diaspora.
Strengthening Social Entrepreneurship Through The Root Fellowship
The Root Fellowship is a dedicated program designed to support social innovators who are building sustainable solutions for their communities. By providing a platform for mentorship, skill-building, and networking, the fellowship aims to scale the impact of grassroots initiatives. The 2025 cohort represents a diverse range of sectors, from cultural preservation and youth empowerment to sustainable agriculture and community-driven services.
Meet The 2025 Root Fellows
The new cohort includes a diverse group of founders and initiatives committed to social change:
- Cezar Abu Mariam (Ramallah Unlocked): An initiative focused on showcasing the cultural and social depth of Ramallah.
- Hiba Biari (Zaitouna): Operating from Ramallah and Al-Bireh, focusing on traditional Palestinian products.
- Tamer Younis (Basma Kitchen): A Nablus-based project utilizing culinary arts for social impact.
- Gebra Daqmaq (Lahaq Halak): A community-focused initiative addressing urgent local needs.
- Dina Asfour (Tatreez Collective): Based in the UK, this collective works on preserving and modernizing Palestinian embroidery.
- Muna Ammar (Tanweer Center): A center dedicated to community enlightenment and education.
- Tarteel Al-Natsha & Mohammad Mousa (Seen Youth Network): A Ramallah-based network empowering Palestinian youth through connectivity.
- Hiba Abu Dahouk (Athar Al-Haa): An initiative focused on creating lasting social impact through specialized programming.
A Strategic Partnership For Grassroots Impact
The fifth cycle of the Root Fellowship is supported by Taawon (Welfare Association), one of Palestine’s largest non-profit organizations. This partnership ensures that fellows gain access to a broad network of resources and expertise, enabling them to transition from early-stage ideas to established social enterprises. Over the coming months, the program will highlight the individual journeys of these fellows as they undergo intensive training to refine their impact models.
About BuildPalestine
BuildPalestine is a non-profit organization that connects social entrepreneurs in Palestine with the global community. Through crowdfunding, fellowship programs, and a dedicated platform for social innovation, BuildPalestine empowers local leaders to solve community challenges using sustainable and scalable business models.
About Taawon
Taawon, also known as the Welfare Association, is a leading independent non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the steadfastness of Palestinians. It supports a wide range of developmental and humanitarian projects in the fields of education, culture, and community development across Palestine and in refugee camps in Lebanon.
Source: LinkedIn
