Bethlehem University hosted the GreenLoop Hackathon for the Southern West Bank on Saturday, 15 November 2025, bringing together young innovators, entrepreneurs and cooperatives committed to advancing sustainable solutions in Palestine.
The event is part of the “Innovative Entrepreneurship Initiative for Women and Youth for Green Investment and Circular Economy,” launched by the Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem (ARIJ) and funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). The initiative is implemented in partnership with Palestine Techno Park and the Bethlehem Business Incubator (BBI) at Bethlehem University.
The Hackathon aimed to tackle urgent environmental and economic challenges by empowering women and youth to develop impactful, sustainable projects within the green and circular economy.
The BBI plays a central role in supporting these efforts. As an innovation hub, BBI works with entrepreneurs from Bethlehem, Hebron, East Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Jericho, focusing primarily on youth aged 18–29, with women representing 60% of its beneficiaries. ARIJ, a long-standing Palestinian NGO dedicated to building a “Sustainable Palestine,” leads the overarching initiative by promoting sustainable development, natural resource management, and gender-responsive community participation.
More than 200 applications were received from across the southern West Bank. Following a competitive selection process, 33 promising projects were chosen to participate in a two-day, 16-hour pre- hackathon capacity-building training program delivered by experts from the Bethlehem Business Incubator and the Yunus Social Business Center at Bethlehem University.
The Hackathon officially began on Saturday morning with the registration of 31 diverse projects, led by men and women eager to present their creative, sustainability-driven ideas. Participants engaged in a vibrant networking session, setting up project displays that encouraged peer learning, collaboration, and the exchange of expertise.
The first pitching round invited teams to present their ideas to an expert judging panel representing Bethlehem University, ARIJ, and partner institutions.
Each team presented innovative solutions addressing environmental challenges ranging from recycling systems to eco-friendly product development. The atmosphere was energetic and inspiring as participants articulated their ideas with dedication and clarity.
Following a short break, participants attended an uplifting session led by AlJabal Organization, which shared its success story on empowering local small businesses by offering a unified platform to promote and sell their products. Their journey highlighted the impact of community-centered entrepreneurship and motivated the teams as they prepared for the final pitching round.
After the second round of pitches, the judges deliberated and selected the top 10 projects, which will receive financial support from the donor to further develop and strengthen their ideas. All participants received tokens of appreciation, acknowledging their creativity, perseverance, and commitment to environmental innovation.
The event concluded with a strong sense of accomplishment and shared purpose. Participants, organizers, and partners celebrated a day filled with collaboration, creativity, and meaningful engagement, reinforcing Bethlehem University’s commitment to fostering sustainable development and empowering the next generation of Palestinian innovators.
