Mahmoud Bajez
At a particular phase of my academic journey, a question was posed for discussion that made me pause and reflect: "Can small projects provide a sustainable income for a large number of families, given the challenging economic situation faced by the Palestinian people?" My initial response was superficial and unsupported by precise evidence—I simply said it wasn’t possible. However, shortly after that discussion, I joined a training program organized by Ibtikar to become a youth business coach for small projects. My curiosity led me to participate, seeking deeper knowledge about this topic.
From the very first days of training, new ideas and insights began to form. I realized that projects, in general, are not primarily about capital, even though it is often a foundational element for large enterprises. Instead, the success of small projects hinges on creativity, effective promotion, belief in the idea, and the right ways to connect with customers. Small projects, when properly established, can indeed provide sufficient income for their owners and their families, and even create additional revenue streams.
Initially, I didn’t think I would be capable of taking on this responsibility or that I would be given the opportunity to work as a business coach for small projects. Like many, I assumed the training would be the extent of my involvement. But I soon realized that Ibtikar’s mission was more than just a slogan—it was a genuine commitment to empowering youth. They offered us the chance to work in the field, not just attend training sessions. This was an exceptional opportunity for me, motivating me to ensure the success of a project I believed could bring about a transformative change in Palestinian society. It provided a real chance to empower youth and create job opportunities that could improve the lives of trainees and women leading small projects.
After being enriched with valuable knowledge during the training, we began applying this expertise while working with women entrepreneurs. The first step in this journey was understanding their personalities, project ideas, aspirations, and experiences. I referred to this experience as a "journey" because it was filled with new challenges and learning moments for both of us as coaches and the women entrepreneurs. It was a journey marked by difficulties, collaboration, and effort, which brought about fundamental changes in our personalities, beliefs, and knowledge.
The journey included moments of joy and sorrow, anticipation and achievement, failure and success. It involved coordination, communication, gains, and losses—all leading to securing the sustainability and success of the projects. The ultimate goal was to equip these women with the knowledge, skills, and empowerment needed to ensure their projects could thrive long-term.
Through this work, I came to understand that small projects reflect the broader reality of Palestinian society. Let me share some highlights from the projects I helped coach:
One notable example is the “Dorba” guest house, located in Area C near an Israeli settlement within a village where the occupation relentlessly attempts to displace its residents through various means. This project supports an entire family in the village, aiming to raise awareness about their living conditions on both local and international levels. The guest house serves as a testament to Palestinian resilience, defying adversity while striving to change it.
The “Dorba” guest house succeeded in drawing the attention of decision-makers, prompting efforts to improve the village’s infrastructure so that visitors could access it more easily. This project stands as a vivid example of using innovation to narrate the story of Palestinian perseverance on their land.
The second project, “Kamshat Khaytan” (A Fistful of Threads), started as a passion for embroidery—a long-standing cultural tradition among Palestinian women. This project grew from a simple hobby into a realization of the skills involved and the Palestinian community’s deep-rooted love for preserving this cultural identity. The project reflects the talents tied to the culture we strive to showcase. The project’s founder discovered herself within this work, which mirrors her passion and love for what she does. For her, it serves as a safe space—a sanctuary away from the noise of everyday life.
The third project, “Makdousi”, revolves around a woman with a love for cooking and sharing meals with others—an act deeply ingrained in Palestinian culture. The founder of Makdousi takes pride in preparing food she learned from her family, striving to keep certain traditional dishes alive on Palestinian tables so they’re never forgotten. These dishes, unique to Palestinian heritage, often become a source of fascination for people from outside the country.
Throughout this journey, we faced numerous challenges. However, the team at Ibtikar was with us every step of the way, providing guidance on the correct approaches to work, listening to our concerns, and swiftly devising solutions to redirect efforts when needed. We always had someone to listen, advise, and guide us toward optimal work practices to achieve the ultimate goal: advancing small projects and empowering their founders.
We were constantly supported with clear work plans and strategies, which enlightened us on every detail related to our tasks. Amid this dual journey of learning and mentoring, we achieved outcomes that exceeded our expectations. We successfully provided comprehensive guidance to the women entrepreneurs on the proper path to achieving their desired results.
Through continuous development of social media platforms for promotion, implementing proper marketing techniques, reaching the ideal customer, setting clear project goals, mastering photography skills, and conducting competitor analyses, we helped create a clear vision for the women on what should and should not be done to elevate and expand their projects.
On a personal level, this experience deepened my understanding of small projects and their positive impact on the community as a whole. My perspective on small projects has transformed, and my answer to the previously posed question—"Can small projects provide a sustainable income for a large number of families given the challenging economic situation faced by the Palestinian people?"—is now a confident yes. This is especially true with initiatives like Ibtikar’s empowerment programs, which are dedicated to advancing and enabling small projects.