An EmpoweerNEET training program has equipped 50 Palestinian young people with professional and entrepreneurship skills to support their transition into employment and business creation.
Led by An-Najah National University and funded by the European Union through the Interreg NEXT MED program, EmpoweerNEET supports young people not in education, employment or training, known as NEETs. The initiative combines skills development, practical learning, mentoring and exposure to professional and entrepreneurial opportunities.
The Palestinian program covered five areas: career readiness; entrepreneurship and the social and solidarity economy; business planning and financial literacy; digital skills, professional identity and communication; and leadership, emotional intelligence and career transitions.
Participants also worked on their ideas, practiced presenting them, and explored business development, digital tools and financial planning. The approach is designed to connect training with practical next steps rather than focusing only on classroom learning.
Running from October 2025 to April 2028, the wider project aims to train 300 NEETs across participating countries, provide 85 practical learning and job-exchange opportunities, and deliver 60 support packages for startups. It also plans to develop six financing strategies and six roadmaps for local governments.
The Mediterranean partnership includes institutions from Palestine, Spain, Greece, Lebanon, Tunisia and France. Future activities will include mentoring, exchanges, practical learning and further support for entrepreneurship.
Source: Al-Najah News
