In a significant move to align with global sustainability agendas, Palestine hosted the fifth Green Forward conference, an event organised by Flow Accelerator in partnership with SPARK under the patronage of the Palestinian Ministry of Labour. The conference brought together public institutions, private sector actors, and Business Support Organisations (BSOs) to explore how Palestine can leverage the green and circular economy as a driver for economic resilience, despite structural challenges and limited resource access.
EU Pledges Support for Regional Green Transition
A key highlight of the conference was the European Union’s reinforced commitment to Palestine’s green transition. Ambassador Alexandre Stutzmann, the EU Representative to the West Bank and Gaza Strip, announced a substantial financial commitment to the cause.
“The EU has allocated a €47 million package to boost green investments, sustainable agriculture and food systems, resource efficiency, and renewable energy,” stated Ambassador Stutzmann.
He emphasized that this investment is part of a wider regional programme across the Southern Mediterranean aimed at fostering inclusive economic growth. The EU’s strategy involves collaborating with women entrepreneurs, SMEs, and BSOs to ensure local ownership and integrate Palestine into the regional green economy.
“We are working with enablers like BSOs to help SMEs transition towards greener business models while ensuring long-term market certainty,” he added.
National Strategy for a Green Workforce
H.E. Dr. Enas Atari, Minister of Labor, outlined the ministry’s focus on empowering youth and women through vocational training and enterprise support initiatives. She stressed that building skills is only one part of the equation.
“Vocational training is not enough, it must go hand in hand with private sector readiness to absorb trained individuals and create sustainable employment,” she noted.
Dr. Atari called for greater awareness of the green economy’s three pillars—economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection—and urged for unified policies and closer collaboration between government, BSOs, and the private sector to convert training into sustainable green jobs, particularly bridging gaps in Gaza.
Integrating Sustainability into Economic Policy
From the Ministry of National Economy, Undersecretary H.E. Eng. Bashar Al-Saifi highlighted the imperative of embedding the green economy into Palestine’s national framework to build long-term resilience.
“Despite the challenges of occupation and high unemployment, the green economy offers tangible opportunities for investment, energy independence, and sustainable job creation,” he said.
The Ministry has taken concrete steps by establishing a dedicated MSME Unit to support green enterprises and is pursuing legal and regulatory reforms to create a more enabling environment for entrepreneurship.
H.E Eng. Ahmed Abu Thaher, Acting Chairman of the Palestinian Environment Quality Authority, echoed this sentiment, affirming that environmental protection and economic development must be pursued in tandem. He stated that Palestine aims to be part of the global climate solution while building a resilient local economy.
The Crucial Role of Business Support Organisations
A central theme of the conference was the indispensable role of Business Support Organisations (BSOs) in accelerating the green transition. Panelists identified BSOs as critical enablers that can help SMEs adopt sustainable practices through tailored capacity-building, mentorship, and access to finance.
BSOs are positioned to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and funding mechanisms, such as the EU-supported green financing instruments, by helping SMEs develop investment-ready business models. Furthermore, they can act as conveners, facilitating dialogue between public and private stakeholders to ensure policy reforms are practical and effective. By promoting inclusivity and raising awareness, BSOs can position green growth as a pathway to competitiveness and economic self-reliance.
About Green Forward
Green Forward is a comprehensive initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by a consortium of partners. The programme operates on three complementary levels: Expertise France leads macro-level policy and legislative development, SPARK strengthens the capacity of Business Support Organisations (BSOs) at the meso level, and UNIDO provides micro-level technical assistance to SMEs to promote circular economy practices and improve access to green finance.
Source: SPARK
