FEMISE is proud to launch its latest series of policy briefs, stemming from insightful conference papers presented at the FEMISE annual conference. These briefs are rooted in scientific research and offer actionable political recommendations to address critical challenges in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

The objective if this new series of Policy Briefs is to provide policy makers, international organisers, researchers and stakeholders in the EU-Med region with research-based policy recommendations that: advocate a better EU-Med integration;  promote mobilization of investments towards green transition and sustainable economies; empower young people through innovation and entrepreneurship advocacy; and facilitate a better and more equal integration of youth and women, aiming to create pathways for decent employment.

These Policy Briefs aspire to drive impactful dialogue and action across the EU-Med region.

Context

Women and youth represent a significant share of the Palestinian population, yet they continue to face persistent barriers to employment, economic participation, and leadership in the labor market. High unemployment rates—particularly among young people and women—reflect deep structural challenges, including limited job creation, weak private sector absorption, and restricted access to economic opportunities. These challenges are further compounded by the broader political and economic context, marked by prolonged occupation, restrictions on movement and trade, fragile infrastructure, and heavy reliance on external aid.

Social and cultural norms continue to constrain women’s participation in the labor market, often confining them to traditional sectors and limiting their access to decision-making roles. At the same time, many young people face financial instability, skills mismatches, and limited pathways to entrepreneurship. Despite the rapid growth of sectors such as information and communication technology (ICT), gaps in education, training, and institutional support hinder the ability of women and youth to fully benefit from emerging opportunities.

In this context, strengthening women’s and youth’s economic empowerment is not only a social imperative but also a critical condition for sustainable growth and resilience in Palestine. Addressing legal, financial, institutional, and cultural barriers is essential to unlocking their potential as key drivers of economic development.

Summary

This policy brief examines strategies to enhance the economic participation of women and youth in Palestine, with a particular focus on their integration into the private sector. Drawing on qualitative research, including literature review, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions, the analysis explores barriers and opportunities across three priority sectors: handicrafts, food industries, and information and communication technology (ICT).

The findings highlight several structural constraints limiting economic empowerment. Chief among these are the absence of a supportive legal and regulatory framework for entrepreneurship, limited access to finance due to low financial literacy and high collateral requirements, and persistent social norms that restrict women’s participation in leadership and decision-making. The brief also finds that women’s representation in senior positions within the private sector remains largely symbolic, with few companies adopting concrete gender-inclusive strategies.

At the same time, the analysis identifies promising opportunities. The growth of the ICT sector offers new avenues for youth employment, while cooperative models and women- and youth-led enterprises demonstrate potential pathways for empowerment if supported by targeted policies and capacity-building initiatives. The brief emphasizes the importance of integrated policy responses, including legal reform, financial inclusion, skills development, and stronger institutional partnerships.

The policy brief concludes that advancing women’s and youth’s economic empowerment in Palestine requires coordinated efforts across public institutions, the private sector, and civil society. By addressing structural barriers and fostering inclusive business models, policymakers can create a more enabling environment that positions women and youth as central actors in sustainable economic development.

Read the full Policy Brief no.16 here.

The opinions and contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the authors and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of FEMISE, IEMED, ERF or the AECID