Between December 2022 and January 2023, ToRead, in partnership with the Palestinian Students Fund and Taawon, and funded by Danish Muslim Aid, successfully implemented a three-week hybrid program titled “Refugee-preneurship.” The initiative was tailored to support 25 Palestinian youth in Lebanon, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to start their own businesses and transform entrepreneurial ideas into viable ventures.
The program focused on business planning, startup creation, and entrepreneurial mindset building, with a special emphasis on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Over the course of the program, participants worked in teams and developed seven startup ideas, which were professionally structured, planned, and pitched to mentors and peers.
Voices from the Participants
The impact of the program was best captured by the participants themselves:
“Throughout the Social Entrepreneurship workshop, I didn’t only learn how to start up a business, but also how to pitch and convince others with my ideas. It also led me up to the preparation of a business plan which covered marketing, operational and financial aspects. Thanks to ToRead’s experience and follow up, I feel motivated and ready to transform my startup idea into a real agency that delivers value and generates profit!”
— Nagham Arja, participant
“This program helped me to know more about the main points to focus on when starting a small business and to ensure that it is social and helps humans as much as possible. Also, we learned more about the SDGs and how we should work to help achieve at least one of them. Thank you for this great opportunity.”
— Rahaf Zaher, participant
Building Entrepreneurial Futures
Through Refugeepreneurship, ToRead reaffirmed its commitment to empowering marginalized youth through innovation, mentorship, and practical training. By enabling Palestinian refugees to explore entrepreneurship, the program opened new pathways for economic participation, self-reliance, and social impact, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This initiative stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and strategic partnerships in creating opportunities for youth to thrive, even in the most challenging contexts.
