The “Gaza Emergency Cash for Work and Self-Employment Support” Project gives a gleam of hope to support youth in Gaza amidst the deteriorating economic conditions and growing rates of unemployment and poverty. This project, funded by the World Bank with a total of USD 17 million, aims to provide the target youth in Gaza with a short-term income support and increased access to internet-enabled self-employment opportunities.
Project Components:
The project includes the following three components:
First Component:
Cash for Work (C4W) (USD 12.5 million)
This component provides Cash for Work sub-grants to selected NGOs to implement Cash for Work sub-projects employing target youth from poor and marginalised communities. NGOs services include social services, such as health, education, support to disabled and elderly persons, and psychosocial support, in addition to support to economic livelihoods, including improvement of agricultural and fishing activities.
The minimum number of target youth to be employed in each sub-project is 100 young men and women. It is expected that approximately 4,400 young men and women will benefit from this component. Each beneficiary will work for 6 months and will receive a monthly stipend of USD 380. Additionally, in order to maximise the benefit of the Cash for Work component across the largest number of families, only one member of each family will be allowed to benefit from this component.
Second Component:
Internet-enabled Self-Employment (e-work) (USD 3 million)
This component provides internet-enabled self-employment (e-work) support to the target youth. This will include complex tasks, such as software development, graphic design, media production, content development, website design, animations, e-marketing and translation, as well as simple tasks.
The support package includes two months training to acquire self-employment skills, alongside on-the-job support for an additional 6 months.
The selected organisations will choose the target youth who possess the appropriate technical skills and competence for this programme. Moreover, the organisations and proposals will be assessed on the basis of the project’s predetermined criteria with special attention to quality and cost.
This support will only be given to one young man or woman per family. It is expected that about 750 persons, including 375 young women, will benefit from the e-work component.
Third Component:
Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation (USD 1.5 million)
This component will support the NDC in project management, monitoring and evaluation, financing of office equipment and consultants’ services, including audit, training and additional recruitment. This component also provides technical assistance to the Palestinian Fund for Employment and Social Protection.