BuildPalestine has opened applications for its 2026 Juzoour (Roots) Program, a six-month fellowship designed to support Palestinian social enterprises in scaling their impact and achieving financial sustainability. This program offers a transformative journey for founders across Historical Palestine who are solving social or environmental challenges through innovative business models.
At a Glance
- Opportunity Type: Social Enterprise Fellowship
- For: Palestinian Founders in the West Bank, Gaza, Jerusalem, and ’48 Lands
- Key Benefits: Strategic Mentorship, Business Model Development, Expert Networking
- Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
- Location: Palestine
Juzoour Program Overview
The Juzoour Program is the core fellowship offered by BuildPalestine, specifically tailored for community-based projects that already have an existing product or service. Over the course of six months, the program focuses on helping these enterprises refine their business models and expand their teams.
In light of recent challenges, BuildPalestine emphasizes that this fellowship is a form of resilience, driven by the belief that a liberated Palestine will be built by its changemakers. Through a comprehensive methodology including live workshops, one-on-one coaching, and a demo day, the program connects entrepreneurs with the resources and networks necessary to turn their vision into a sustainable reality.
Meet Past Fellows
The program has a history of supporting diverse projects that preserve identity and build community. Recent fellows include:
- Baladna (Haifa): A youth organization working to strengthen the voices of Palestinian youth in ’48 lands by reinforcing identity and resilience.
- Talla (Jerusalem): A cultural space that revives the Palestinian cliffs and trains women to preserve heritage while creating sustainable income opportunities.
- VirtualLand (Kafr Qara): A technology project using Virtual Reality (VR) to document and preserve Palestinian landmarks and sites, protecting them from theft and erasure under occupation.
Key Benefits
- Sustainable Business Modeling: Guidance on balancing social mission with financial sustainability to ensure long-term viability.
- Expert Networking: Access to a wide network of mentors and industry experts for specialized support.
- Continuous Support: BuildPalestine continues to support fellows even after graduation as they scale their impact.
- Tailored Development: Creation of a specialized business development plan for each project.
Eligibility Criteria
- Geography: Open to Palestinians leading social projects impacting Historical Palestine (West Bank, Gaza, Jerusalem, and ’48 Lands).
- Stage: Must have an existing product, service, or tested Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Projects in the “idea phase” are not eligible.
- Commitment: Founders must commit 4–12 hours per month for six months.
- Team: Preference is given to teams of three or more members, with at least one member (preferably the leader) committed full-time.
- Impact: The project must address a clear social or environmental challenge.
How to Apply
Palestinian changemakers with a running project and a vision for community impact are encouraged to apply before the deadline.
Deadline: February 1, 2026 Apply Here: BuildPalestine Juzoour Application
About BuildPalestine
BuildPalestine is a community of supporters connecting the Palestinian diaspora and friends of Palestine with trusted social impact projects. They work to empower social entrepreneurs by providing the expertise, mentorship, and funding needed to solve community challenges and build a thriving, independent economy.
Learn More: BuildPalestine Fellowship
