The launch event of the Pre-Assessment on Employability in the Cultural and Creative Industries sector in Palestine was held at the headquarters of the Palestinian Business Forum in Hebron. The initiative is part of the project “Promoting Gender Responsive Actions in Palestine,” funded by the European Union with a total budget of EUR 2.75 million and implemented by the Italian Cooperation under the Delegated Cooperation modality.
The pre-assessment, conducted by the Specialized Academy for Human Development (SAHD), represents the first comprehensive analysis of employability trends in Palestine’s cultural and creative industries, including media, design, and audiovisual sectors.
The event brought together representatives of Palestinian institutions, academia, private sector, civil society, and international partners, highlighting the shared commitment to enhancing employment opportunities and supporting the development of the creative economy in Palestine.
The study identifies key structural challenges affecting employability in the sector, including high unemployment rates, a significant mismatch between education and labor-market needs, and persistent gender-based barriers. Despite strong youth interest and high female participation in cultural and creative education programs, only 41% of employed graduates work in their field of specialization. The assessment also highlights limited coordination between academic institutions and industry stakeholders, outdated curricula, and insufficient practical training opportunities.
Commissioned by the Italian Cooperation, the pre-assessment provides essential evidence to guide the design of targeted interventions aimed at strengthening employability, promoting gender equality, and supporting entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative industries. Planned actions include the modernization of curricula, the enhancement of digital and technical skills, and the promotion of gender-responsive employment policies.
This initiative reflects the continued commitment of the European Union and the Italian Cooperation to fostering inclusive and sustainable economic development in Palestine, with a particular focus on empowering youth and women and strengthening the role of cultural and creative industries as drivers of innovation, resilience, and job creation.
