The BuildPalestine Model and Formula

What is a social enterprise?

There are many definitions of a social enterprise, and this lack of shared understanding, especially among Palestinian policymakers is an obstacle in advancing the social impact sector.

The term itself isn’t what’s important—you can call it whatever you like. What matters is the concept: individuals launching ventures with the purpose of creating impact, while building a sustainable business model that enables them to continue their work and expand their reach.

After eight years of identifying and supporting social innovation and entrepreneurship in Palestine, it has become clearer than ever that these practices are deeply rooted in Palestinian culture and heritage. The commitment to improving society through resourceful and collective efforts is an integral part of Palestinian identity. However, this ethos was deeply affected after the Oslo Accords in 1993, when Palestine was flooded with international aid that prioritized foreign agendas over Palestinian priorities. Over time, this created a reality where Palestinians increasingly lack the agency to shape their own future.

Every seed needs water, oxygen, and the right conditions to grow. Changemakers are no different—they need financial resources, knowledge, and connections to turn their vision into reality. While these needs are universal, we are working to meet them in a way that protects Palestinian agency:

• Funds: Free the Source! We channel crowdfunding money and funding from non-complicit sources to support social enterprises, shielding them from external agendas. This is our greatest battle, and we fight it every day.
• Knowledge: Mobilize the Crowd! Our team’s business development expertise, combined with our network of mentors, helps upskill changemakers so they can move faster and with greater intention.
• Connections: Harness Solidarity! We link changemakers to key partnership opportunities, including fiscal sponsors who ease the process of receiving funds. We also help them access international markets, ensuring that selling products and services outside Palestine strengthens their sustainability within Palestine.

Whether it’s responding to the crisis in Gaza or supporting social entrepreneurs through their long haul leadership journeys, we apply this formula across all our interventions.