Project Summary

Al Fakhoora Scholarship and Empowerment Programme in the State of Palestine aims at building a cadre of educated and trained leaders who are civic-minded, intellectually able, and professionally skilled to become community, business, and national leaders of the future. The programme, which targets Palestinian postsecondary students of underserved backgrounds, avails opportunities for them to actualise their potential by overcoming socioeconomic, political and cultural limitations and enabling them to become productive members in the society.  The programme, which is worth over USD 40 million and targets more than 1000 youth and their families, is funded bilaterally by the State of Qatar’s Al Fakhoora - A Programme of Education Above All and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). Phase one of the programme, covering 2009 - 2018 was worth USD 11,467,723, while phase two is USD 28,551,714.12, covering 2014 - 2021.

Al Fakhoora Scholarship and Empowerment Programme has four main components:

• Quality Education: Domestic undergraduate scholarships, and international opportunities for specialized TVET and graduate students, as well as technical advisory work to support the improvement of quality education in Gaza
• Student Affairs: Comprehensive support services contributing to students’ academic success and wellbeing through Al Fakhoora House - student services unit and Al Fakhoora Alumni
• Leadership and Advocacy: A comprehensive multi-stage training programme to empower students to become leaders and advocates, and to equip them with internationally recognized employable skills. In addition, there are a wide range of opportunities for students to apply the related skills and contribute in their communities throughout their studies
• Economic Empowerment: Career preparation, internships, networking, and opportunities for entrepreneurship and economic empowerment projects to enable students to bridge the gap between studies and professional life

Accomplishments and Progress

• 999 full scholarships have been provided to Palestinian youth from  underserved backgrounds (525 female,474 male)
• 404 alumni have successfully completed their academic degrees (374 domestic BA, 30 international MA)
• 29,547 training hours were provided to equip students with skills needed for labour market
• 176,131 advocacy and leadership training activity hours accomplished by students
• 276 alumni successfully participated in internships, and earned an income (between USD 900 – USD1500/family) to support their families
• 224 family projects were established and provided income to student families (approximately 1,200 people)