An-Najah National University, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), organized the Green Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development Forum on 21 June 2025. The event was held as part of the project “Green Jobs and Sustainable Income Opportunities for Palestinian Youth in the Agri-Food Sector,” implemented by the University under the supervision of Dr. Heba Al-Fares, Project Coordinator.

The forum aimed to highlight success stories and entrepreneurial initiatives that emerged from the program. More than 222 young men and women (77% female) completed a 70-hour training program covering both theoretical and practical aspects of sustainable agriculture, value chains, and green entrepreneurship.

In addition, over 130 participants benefited from hands-on training opportunities within local institutions and companies across the West Bank operating in the agricultural and food processing sectors. This practical experience enabled several trainees to secure actual job offers at their training sites, reflecting the program’s success in linking skills development with labor market needs.

As part of the program’s focus on digital and technological empowerment, participants also received specialized training in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality. The sessions were delivered by Prof. Allam Mousa, Director of An-Najah Innovation Park, and Mr. Waleed Abu Zeina from the University’s Virtual Reality Center, with a focus on applications in food industries, agriculture, and veterinary fields. This component added a forward-looking dimension to the program and connected participants with emerging digital tools.

In his remarks, Prof. Mousa highlighted the key role of An-Najah Innovation Park in supporting youth entrepreneurship by providing an enabling environment and advanced technologies that help transform ideas into sustainable, impact-driven ventures.

For her part, Dr. Al-Fares expressed appreciation to all partner and supporting institutions. She presented the project’s key achievements and emphasized its alignment with the University’s vision and mission in promoting sustainable development and community engagement. She also reaffirmed the University’s commitment to empowering youth, advancing agricultural entrepreneurship, addressing poverty and food security challenges, promoting decent work, and responding to climate change. She noted that Palestinian youth—particularly young women—have demonstrated strong potential and readiness to lead change within the agri-food system, adding that the University will continue to support such initiatives through incubation and mentorship programs.

The forum also featured presentations of winning student-led projects that received funding of up to USD 15,000 per project. A total of 37 projects from An-Najah students were selected out of approximately 70 projects across five Palestinian universities, following two competitive calls launched by FAO for program participants.

The projects covered a wide range of areas, including sustainable agriculture, healthy food production, hydroponics, and livestock improvement. Notable initiatives included “Yaffa Nursery,” “Dragon Fruit Garden,” “Zena Factory,” “Safe Artificial Insemination for Sheep,” “Rayhana Farm,” “PetoChif,” and “Lozeina Factory.”

Participants expressed their appreciation to An-Najah National University, FAO, and An-Najah Innovation Park for the support they received throughout the training, mentorship, and implementation phases. They described the initiative as a turning point in their professional journeys, helping them build skills, gain confidence, and move toward self-reliance. The projects have also contributed to creating real job opportunities within local communities and strengthening the culture of entrepreneurship among Palestinian youth.