Background

The intractability of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the impact of Israeli occupation have created a situation that has steadily deteriorated over decades. The Palestinian population in the West Bank and Gaza face acute suffering, declining living standards, increasing poverty and unemployment. There is intensifying social and territorial disintegration, a tight network of closures, sophisticated controls and the continued expansion of illegal settlements. The land, sea and air borders of the Gaza Strip are firmly controlled and sealed by the occupying power, leading to virtually complete isolation. Key factors that have led to the further deterioration of the situation include the withholding of Palestinian tax revenues by Israel and tight restrictions on the mobility of Palestinian people and goods both within and between the territories, and between Israel and other countries – which has prevented the Palestinian economy from functioning except in the most limited sense. The restrictions on freedom of movement also have a strong social impact especially with regard to employment. The restrictions on freedom of movement also results in the partition of Palestinian communities, impeding access to land, enterprises, places of work and basic social services, such as health and education. As the unemployment rate is still high, it generates persistent pressure to accommodate new workers entering the labour force. A critical policy priority is to bridge the gap between studies, training and the labour market, particularly among women. Through such measures the number of young people in employment will be increased. This is as much a technical as a political challenge.

Objectives

This project contributes towards the creation of employment opportunities by fostering an enterprise culture in oPt and promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment among youth. This will be achieved through introducing the ILO Know About Business (KAB) curriculum in technical/vocational education and technical universities. These objectives will be achieved by:

• Creating awareness of enterprises and self-employment as a career option for young people;
• Providing knowledge and practice of the desirable attributes for and challenges in starting and operating a successful enterprise;
• Facilitating the school-to-work transition of youth as a result of a better understanding of functions and operations of enterprises; and
• Developing positive attitudes towards enterprises and self-employment among the population, by targeting youth.

Expected results

Upon the completion of the project, the following results will be achieved:

• KAB curriculum introduced in selected vocational training centers (VTCs), secondary vocational schools and technical colleges.
• KAB training capacity built in the selected vocational training centers (VTCs), secondary vocational schools and technical colleges.
• KAB test phase for the selected VTCs, secondary vocational schools and colleges evaluated.
• KAB curriculum introduced and adapted to the needs of the selected technical university and the training capacity built.
• The KAB test phase at the technical university evaluated.