The National Bank and Makani Innovation Hub Conclude the “Green City Challenge” Program

In partnership with The National Bank and Makani Innovation Hub, affiliated with Ramallah Municipality, the “Green City Challenge” program was concluded with the selection of three environmental entrepreneurial solutions to move forward into the development phase of the Green City Challenge program.

The training bootcamp lasted for two weeks and focused on developing and refining entrepreneurial ideas to make them implementable. The selected solutions focus on environmentally friendly solid and electronic waste management, as well as integrating Palestinian students into green volunteer programs.

Conclusion of the “Green City Challenge” Bootcamp with 9 Entrepreneurial Ideas

The training bootcamp of the “Green City Challenge” program concluded with the development of 9 entrepreneurial ideas aimed at providing innovative solutions to environmental challenges in the city. This came after three days of intensive training organized by Build Palestine, an organization that supports social innovation and entrepreneurship in Palestine, with the participation of entrepreneurs interested in environmental issues.

On the first day, Tala Jaafar from the Health and Environment Department opened the training by presenting the key real environmental challenges facing the city, such as solid waste management, energy consumption, and environmental awareness. This helped participants gain a deeper understanding of the problems.

Participants received specialized training on problem identification and definition, in addition to applying creative thinking methodologies to develop practical, implementable solutions. Environmental expert Najla Abdul Latif provided guidance to ensure that the ideas aligned with real environmental needs.

Shadi Qamhieh from The National Bank also delivered a practical session on revenues and costs, aiming to strengthen participants’ capacities in building business models and managing projects.

At the conclusion, the teams presented pilot pitches of their ideas before Melvina Al-Jamal, Director of the Health and Environment Department, who discussed with them the feasibility of implementing the projects in practice, in preparation for presenting them to the jury on 15/12/2025 to select the top three ideas.

Makani Innovation Hub – Ramallah Municipality launched the City Challenge: Green City Program, in partnership with The National Bank and in collaboration with Build Palestine.

The program aimed to support entrepreneurs and innovators in developing practical and innovative solutions to environmental challenges in the city of Ramallah, while promoting sustainability and improving quality of life.

The program included an intensive three-day bootcamp, during which participating teams developed their ideas with the support of experts and mentors. It concluded with a Demo Day, where teams presented their solutions to a jury, and three winning teams were selected.

Makani Innovation Hub Organizes the Final Demo Day of Makani Startup Weekend Program

Makani Innovation Hub, in collaboration with MENACatalyst foundation, organized the final Demo Day for entrepreneurial projects as part of the first Makani Startup Weekend program. The program aims to empower entrepreneurs to develop their projects and sharpen their pitching skills before investors and experts, in preparation for transforming their projects into scalable startups.

The event was opened by Ramallah Mayor Issa Qassis, who welcomed the attendees and emphasized the importance of entrepreneurs’ participation in such programs to enhance their capabilities and develop their creative ideas. He also praised the role of trainer Bader Al-Hudhud for delivering an intensive two-day training that enabled participants to prepare for pitching before the jury. He extended his thanks to MENACatalyst foundation for supporting the program and to the judging panel, which included businessman Hani Al-Alami, expert Mahmoud Al-Natsheh, co-founder of the “Foras” platform Safaa Ayyad, and Dr. Safaa Al-Dweik, Director of the GIS & IT Department at Ramallah Municipality.

In his remarks, Mahmoud Nazzal, Head of Economic Empowerment, Inclusion, and Impact at MENACatalyst foundation, highlighted the organization’s role in supporting entrepreneurs and startups through various programs, including the SEED program supported by Palestinians in the diaspora, with the aim of contributing to national economic development. He also commended the efforts of Makani Innovation Hub and Ramallah Municipality in providing a supportive environment for entrepreneurs.

Nazzal announced the “Palestine National Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation,” through which winners of this event will qualify to participate. The award is valued at USD 10,000 and will be organized annually.

During the event, ten entrepreneurs presented their diverse projects before the judging panel. After discussion and deliberation, the top three projects were announced: Pro Order by entrepreneur Jad Dwani, Strawberry Farm by entrepreneur Bayan Lahloh, and Students’ Hub by entrepreneur Lana Abu Ein. The three winning projects qualified to compete for the National Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

It is worth noting that the Makani Startup Weekend program will continue over the next two years, as a partnership between Makani Innovation Hub and MENACatalyst foundation, in support of entrepreneurial projects and the development of the innovation ecosystem in Palestine.

Palestinian Local Authorities Union Visits “Makani” Innovation Hub, Emphasizes the Importance of Experience Exchange Between Municipalities

The Mayor of Ramallah, Issa Qassis, received a delegation from the Palestinian Local Authorities Union (PLAU) at the Municipality’s “Makani” Innovation Hub. The delegation was headed by Abdul Karim Al-Zubaidi, President of the Union, and included Abdullah Anati, Executive Director of the Union; Nadeen Nakhleh, Advocacy and Communications Officer; Ahood Inaya, Director of Programs and Policies; and Abdel Moneim Afana, Head of the Technical and Legal Support Unit.

The delegation was welcomed by Ahmad Abu Laban, Director General of Ramallah Municipality; Maram Tottah, Director of the Communications Department; Irene Saadeh, Director of the Sustainable Development and International Cooperation Department; and Majd Shabaneh, Programs Manager at Makani Innovation Hub.

During the visit, the delegation was introduced to Makani’s experience in supporting innovation and youth-led initiatives, and the role the hub plays in enhancing youth participation in municipal work and developing creative solutions to serve the local community. The meeting also addressed key challenges facing Palestinian municipalities in the areas of local development and service delivery, emphasizing the importance of strengthening cooperation and coordination between the Union and municipalities to address these challenges effectively.

Mayor Qassis expressed his pleasure in hosting the Union’s delegation, affirming that Ramallah Municipality, through Makani Innovation Hub, seeks to support youth ideas and transform them into development projects that serve the local community. He stressed the importance of exchanging expertise and transferring successful experiences among Palestinian municipalities to improve performance and service delivery.

For his part, Al-Zubaidi emphasized that pioneering initiatives such as Makani Innovation Hub represent an inspiring model that can be replicated in other municipalities, contributing to enhanced youth participation in local decision-making and the development of more sustainable and innovative cities.

At the conclusion of the visit, both sides expressed their commitment to continuing cooperation and networking between the Union and municipalities to strengthen local development and advance entrepreneurial initiatives across Palestinian cities.

Makani Innovation Hub – Ramallah Municipality Launches the “Athar” Podcast Series

Makani Innovation Hub – Ramallah Municipality launched the “Athar” podcast series in collaboration with Lacom Magazine, aiming to highlight the experiences of youth and entrepreneurs and the challenges they face in turning their ideas into impactful projects.

Makani Talks brought the community together through a series of engaging events organized in partnership with Foras, reaching more than 150 participants. The sessions created an open space to inspire, exchange experiences and knowledge, and foster meaningful conversations, while offering valuable networking opportunities that strengthened connections within the local innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.Top of Form

Ramallah Municipality, through Makani Innovation Hub and implemented by Flow Accelerator in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), launched the "City Challenge: Inclusive and Creative City" program to attract innovative solutions from young entrepreneurs in the city. The program is part of the municipality’s vision and strategy to promote sustainable development and strengthen the city’s resilience.

As part of its ongoing support for the entrepreneurship and innovation sector, Ramallah Municipality signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the LaCom Magazine, aimed at collaborating to highlight success stories and foster a culture of entrepreneurship in the city of Ramallah.

The agreement was signed by Ramallah Mayor Issa Qasis and Loor Al-Masri, Editor-in-Chief of LaCom Magazine. It outlines support for the initiatives and programs of the Makani, including the production and promotion of high-quality media content such as digital coverage and podcast sessions featuring local entrepreneurs and experts.

The MoU also establishes cooperation in developing media content that reflects the pulse of the entrepreneurial community in Ramallah, as well as joint promotion of initiatives such as the City Challenge and Makani Talks across the magazine’s digital platforms and the municipality’s channels.

Both parties emphasized the importance of this partnership in highlighting developmental efforts and stimulating an innovative environment, contributing to the empowerment of entrepreneurs and small business owners while enhancing their visibility in the local media landscape.

A team from Ramallah Municipality, including directors and department heads, participated in an intensive three-day workshop. The sessions covered the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and innovation, creative thinking techniques, and identifying the city’s key challenges. The workshops resulted in the identification of 12 major urban challenges.

The training was led by Waheed Zahran, in collaboration with Flow Accelerator and with the support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). The workshops provided an important space to discuss ideas and challenges directly related to the municipality’s work with citizens and the services provided to them.

The municipality emphasized that engaging young entrepreneurs and leveraging their creative solutions has opened new avenues to improve quality of life and enhance services in Ramallah.

Ramallah Municipality through Makani Innovation Hub and implemented by Flow Accelerator in partnership with the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) organized the final presentation event of the City Challenge Program: Inclusive and Creative City. The program aims to foster an urban innovation environment and empower entrepreneurs to provide sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the city. As a result, five innovative entrepreneurial project ideas were selected to address real challenges across various sectors, including waste management, smart transportation, and community engagement.

The event was attended by Minister of Labor Dr. Enas Attari, Chairman of the Higher Council for Innovation and Excellence Engineer Adnan Samara, Deputy Minister of Local Government Mr. Raed Muqbel, Head of INDIGO program at the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) Jihad Al-Shakhsheer, CEO of Flow Accelerator Majd Khalifeh, alongside representatives from official institutions, the private sector, and the local community.

In his opening speech, Ramallah Municipality Mayor Issa Kassis emphasized that the initiative embodies the municipality’s vision to empower youth, women, and persons with disabilities to contribute to the city’s development through actionable creative ideas. He expressed appreciation for the partnership with Flow Accelerator and the continued support from GIZ.

During the final presentation, five teams presented their projects before a specialized judging panel that included Mayor Issa Kassis, Municipal Council Member Nakhleh Jubran, Flow Accelerator CEO Majd Khalifa, GIZ representative Yacoub Saad, aswell as entrepreneurship and youth empowerment experts Dr. Mona Demaidi and Khaled Abu Khair.

Based on criteria of innovation, social impact, and feasibility, five project ideas were selected to advance to the pre-incubation stage, which will be conducted in partnership between Ramallah Municipality and Flow Accelerator. These entrepreneurs will receive technical and mentorship support to transform their ideas into effective startups that contribute to stimulating the local economy and creating sustainable job opportunities.

The entrepreneurial projects presented during the event were:

1. Civil Inputs Platform:  A digital platform for early-stage, location-based crowdsourcing of citizen feedback on municipal interventions. 
2. Open Heritage Mapping: A public digital archive that documents historical homes in Ramallah with QR codes for community awareness and preservation.
3. Incentivized Waste Segregation: A system that links household waste sorting practices to annual reductions in municipal service fees. 
4. Smart Deterrence Unit: A smart unit using visual technology to deter reckless behaviors such as street drifting in public areas. 
5. Municipal Parking Heatmap:  A digital tool that shows real-time availability of public parking spaces across the city. 

At the conclusion of the event, Ramallah Municipality Mayor Issa Kassis stressed that the "City Challenge" represents an advanced model of partnership between the public sector, private sector, and civil society. He called for expanding this experience to other municipalities due to its added value in building more innovative, inclusive and resilient Palestinian cities capable of adapting to future challenges.

Ramallah Municipality has officially launched Makani Innovation Hub—a dynamic incubator aimed at supporting and empowering youth and startups across various sectors. The hub seeks to foster an inclusive, innovative, and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in the city.

During the launch event, several cooperation agreements were signed with the Palestinian Ministry of Labor and leading entrepreneurship and acceleration organizations, including: Flow Accelerator, Female Innovators & Investors of MENA (FINOMENA), Foras.ps, Gaza Sky Geeks, Intersect Hub, MENA Catalyst and Palestine Techno Park.

The event also featured the launch of the Our entrepreneur program “City Challenge Program”, which focuses on four key pillars: 🌱 Green City | 💡 Smart City | ♻️ Sustainable City | 🎨 Inclusive & Creative City The program aims to empower youth, women, and people with disabilities to propose innovative solutions to real urban challenges facing Ramallah, promoting civic engagement and future-forward thinking in urban development.

Makani Innovation Hub and FINOMENA Empower Women Entrepreneurs In celebration of Women’s Month, Makani Innovation Hub (Ramallah Municipality) and FINOMENA co-hosted HERizon: Innovation, Inclusivity, and Impact, an event dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs and fostering innovation for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Mayor Issa Kassis highlighted the municipality’s commitment to supporting women and youth in entrepreneurship through platforms like Makani Innovation Hub.

The event featured two panel discussions:

• Sustainable & Resilient Cities focused on innovation in urban development, featuring municipal leaders and entrepreneurs from Agritopia and Flowless.
• Digital Transformation & Inclusive Growth explored the role of technology in economic development, with insights from Ramallah Municipality’s IT team, Vatrin, Foras.ps, and smart city experts.

The gathering sparked meaningful conversations and highlighted the power of women-led innovation to shape resilient cities and inclusive economies.

We are proud to have been selected as a finalist for the prestigious OIDP Award for Best Practices in Citizen Participation, under the “Gender and Care” category!

This annual award, organized by the International Observatory on Participatory Democracy (OIDP) and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), celebrates innovative and impactful initiatives by local and regional governments that promote participatory democracy and citizen engagement.

More details about the OIDP: Click Here
 

Since our soft opening in November 2024, Makani Innovation Hub has become a vibrant center for innovation, collaboration, and growth. We are proud to share that we have hosted over 20 training sessions and workshops, bringing together entrepreneurs, professionals, and youth to foster creativity, skills development, and impactful change.

One of the highlights was a workshop held by Ramallah Municipality in collaboration with UNICEF and UN Habitat, engaging the Youth Municipal Council in important discussions about sustainable development, youth participation, and the future of resilient cities. This workshop is just one of many initiatives aimed at empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators.

As Makani continues to grow, we remain committed to providing a platform for knowledge sharing and community-building, supporting individuals and organizations in their journey towards a more innovative and sustainable future.