Sharek - STEP FORWARD White Paper - Youth Employment

Palestinian Youth Employment Action Plan
a White Paper prepared by STEP FORWARD and Sharek Youth Forum
August 2009
Foreword
For the youth of Palestine, employment is both a greater challenge and a greater
opportunity than in the past. The Palestinian economy cannot provide sufficient work for
all the young people growing up and leaving education every day. Their education itself
does not prepare them for real work. Their chances to make their own opportunities
through enterprise are stifled. Young women face all of these and additional challenges.
Yet we have the opportunity today, perhaps like at no time in the past, to create effective
solutions to these problems.
Sharek Youth Forum puts forward this white paper boldly, yet humbly. Boldly stating what
we see are the problems faced by young people seeking employment. Humbly
acknowledging our limitations. We cannot guarantee that all of the problems and all of the
solutions are addressed in this White Paper. In fact we can guarantee they are not. We
are aware that we will have made mistakes. We are not prepared, however, to let the
situation continue as it is and we hope that this report creates a new impetus for a
collective effort to solve the problems outlined.
With this, then, we open the debate and invite our friends and colleagues from youth
organisations, institutions and the private sector in Palestine and abroad to join us in
seeking the necessary resolutions.
Sufian Mushasha
General Secretary
2
Background
As a follow-up to the millennium declaration, the UN General Assembly adopted, in
December 2002, a resolution entitled Promoting Youth Employment. The resolution
encourages Members States to prepare national reviews and action plans on youth
employment and to involve youth organisations and young people. While the Palestinian
National Authority (PNA) is not a state, it is recognised as the representative of the
Palestinian people, including the youth, and has committed to the Millennium Development
Goals. This white paper looks, therefore, to the PNA for leadership in following the
recommendations of this resolution by developing and implementing a policy.
In the 2002 resolution, the international community recognised that Governments have
primary responsibility to educate young women and men, to ensure equal access to all
youth living in their country and to create an enabling environment that will promote youth
employment.
It is also acknowledged, however, that governments alone cannot be expected to address

theses important issues. In particular in the Palestinian context, where the PA is unable to
exercise full control over the economy. Youth organisations, employers' and workers'
organisations, chambers of commerce, non-governmental organisations, community-
based organisations and other civil society institutions have a key role to play in helping
the PA to achieve these objectives. Meanwhile the occupying state has an additional role
to play in removing the barriers and restrictions to trade which severely constrain
economic capacity.
Sharek's STEP FORWARD Youth Business and Employment Service is instigating the
process of the development of an action plan in order to give every young Palestinian the
opportunity to participate fully in the economy. Achieving this is a precursor to the creation
of responsible, experienced leaders, a flourishing economy and resilience to external
shocks. Step Forward is not about defining the strategies or writing the plan but about
stimulating the conversation, voicing the opinion of the youth and driving the participants
towards the outcome: a comprehensive plan which is implemented in full.
Objectives of this White Paper

Identify the main challenges, demonstrate the need for action and prompt an
extensive review of the existing responses
Provide a voice for youth on the issue of economic participation
Recommend policies and actions
Set priorities and focus stakeholders on the core issues
Generate an accountability tool for youth
Stimulate the harmonisation and coordination of related actions
Provide a platform for sharing good practices
Advocate for mainstreaming of youth employment as an issue throughout local and
national institutions
3
The Youth Employment Challenge
The problem, put simply, is an insufficient number of quality jobs. The core of the problem
can be summarised as poor economic performance combined with high population growth.
Gender inequality then leads to an uneven distribution of quality jobs between men and
women. For youth in particular, there are additional problems relating to enterprise and
education and training that exacerbate the challenge for them. The lack of employment
opportunities for youth has a spiral effect, dragging the poor into ever deeper poverty and
driving migration of the best educated and highest skilled. Finally, the lack of a well
functioning system of institutions means these problems, among others, remain unsolved
and often exaggerated.
The picture as a whole is not hopeless. On the contrary, there are many strengths and
notable achievements of the past years. Key problems remain unaddressed. Key hurdles
are avoided. The current approach to youth employment is fragmented and poorly
targeted. This white paper is aimed at prompting and promoting the discussions which will
provide the solutions the youth need.
The following snapshot of the 5 central problems and their contributing factors provides a
brief insight into the problems referred to throughout this paper. Where relevant,
references have been provided to backup the statements and to provide routes to
extended understanding of the issues. The upcoming report "The Status of the Youth in
Palestine"1 will provide a more detailed consideration of these factors.
1
To be published by Sharek Youth Forum, 2009
4
1. Poor Economic Performance
Poor economic performance alone does not necessarily create a problem for
employment. If the population growth rate exceeds economic growth rates, however,
as it does in the oPt, insufficient new jobs are created to absorb the new entrants to
the job market – the youth. Many problems described below are shared with all
labour-market participants. This merely re-emphasises the importance of addressing
them, not just for the youth but for the entire population. Finally, while this is not the
place for an in-depth economic analysis, the following factors play a big role in limiting
economic growth and are briefly explored with an eye on youth.
Contributing Factors
1.1 Occupation
The occupation is the principal source of most of the economic problems that
currently plague the Palestinian economy. The economic structure is
precipitated by the prior and to an extent current dependence on work in
Israel combined with the prevalence of aid to support the country as it is in
limbo between occupation and self-rule. The lack of access to markets is
partly a consequence of movement restrictions and partly of non-tariff
barriers. These problems have knock-on effects as described below.
1.2 Economic Structure

The Palestinian economy is naturally small due to the population size. It’s
structural weaknesses lie in the lack of the diversity and the lack of a labour-
intensive industrial base to absorb large numbers of new labour-market
entrants.
Economic Activity by Sector (% of Workforce, 2006)
Agriculture,
Hunting, Forestry &
Services & Other Fishing
Branches 16%
36%
Mining, Quarrying
& Manufacturing
12%
Construction
11%
Transportation,
Storage & Commerce, Hotels
Communication & Restaurants
6% 19%
Source: Adapted from "Palestine in Figures", 20071, PCBS, 2009
5
Economic Activity by Sector (Number of Establishments, 2006)
Financial
Industry Intermediation
14% Construction
1%
1%
Transport, storage &

communications
1%
Services activities
(profit and non-profit)
Wholesale, retail 22%
trade & repairs
61%
Source: Adapted from "Palestine in Figures", 20071, PCBS, 2009
It is also important to note that while 14,508 industrial enterprises exist, a

total of only 61,690 people work in these establishments, an average of 4.25
employees per establishment2. This indicates a large number of small
workshops and micro-factories form the industrial base, providing little room
for job-creation. The causes of these problems are covered by factors 1.3 to
1.9. The consequence is that the economy is simply unable to absorb the
growing numbers of young people. The structural weaknesses then reinforce
the other factors in a downwards spiral of dependence, underinvestment and
stunted growth.
1.3 Dependency on foreign aid

Official assistance was $1,868 million USD in 2007, an increase of 193%
since 20003. This income from abroad does not represent any product or
service and thus rarely represents sustainable or growing economic activity.
It maintains high prices and high wages and of course is necessary to relieve
poverty and human-rights abuses in the short run. The funds undermine
normal economic activity and through this unsustainable dependency
inevitably lead to real harm.
1.4 Lack of access to markets

This factor works on two levels: national and international. On the national
level markets are made inaccessible by security restrictions imposed by the
occupation and consumer preference for imports. The latter also highlights
the poor quality (perceived or actual) of Palestinian products and in particular
the poor marketing and packaging used compared to the imports (mostly
Israeli but also Turkish and Chinese). International markets are made
2
Calculations from PCBS Annual Statistics 2007, http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/Industry/detailed%20tab%201.htm (accessed 14/07/2009), PCBS, 2007
3
World Bank Data Profile, http://ddp-ext.worldbank.org/ext/ddpreports/ViewSharedReport?REPORT_ID=9147&REQUEST_TYPE=VIEWADVANCED (accessed
14/07/2009), World Bank
6
inaccessible through a mixture of foreign import regulations4 including Israeli
or Jordanian registration, extensive border-checks despite the customs union
with Israel, technological requirements, cost5 and non-tariff barriers. With
businesses unable to access important markets, the private sector is stifled
and unable to provide the necessary employment opportunities for youth.
1.5 Underinvestment
A Palestinian manufacturer will not invest in higher quality, advanced
technology and general expansion of production given the uncertainties of
occupation (see 1.1) and the lack of access to markets (see 1.4). Without
such investment, however, the private sector will never grow sufficiently large
to employ the new entrants to the labour market. Meanwhile, with the
Palestinian Authority holding limited jurisdiction across the territory,
investments in infrastructure are neglected that would otherwise support the
private sector. Without a strong, sustainable private sector which attracts
and generates investment, providing sufficient employment for the growing
youth is not possible.
1.6 Technological Development

Inevitable technological advances lead to the substitution of manual for
machine-labour. Meanwhile, a technologically developed economy will
create more high quality jobs and new opportunities. All countries face this
complex problem and several considerations are important in addressing it.
For the oPt, the situation is, as ever, exacerbated by occupation: putting
aside all other factors, many advanced technologies are restricted by the
occupier (see 1.7). The economic structure (see 1.2) which favours small
industrial units and service sector activity, particularly for youth, does not lend
itself easily to costly technological development. Competition from imports
(see 3.11) makes technological advances important given that China has a
clear wage-advantage. Meanwhile, a lack of access to markets (see 1.4)
makes it difficult to generate a viable return from technically advanced
products and services. In short, this factor is both a threat and an opportunity
to unemployed youth.
1.7 Import restrictions

This factor is a knock-on problem caused by the occupation and
disproportionately affects the Gaza Strip. Manufactured products require a
majority of their raw materials to be imported. The occupation imposes
restrictions on a large number of imports at the behest of security. A PCBS
survey indicates that 41.3% of businesses experienced major problems
importing raw materials as a result of Israeli measures in 20056. Anecdotal
reports indicate that imports of technically advanced machinery are often
restricted for security reasons while even simple raw materials for cleaning
products or simple building materials such as cement are restricted in Gaza.
Although the Gaza smuggling tunnels do facilitate imports, Israeli actions
hinder these routes and add to the cost. Without a consistent ability to import
4 "55.0% of the respondent [to the survey] indicated that the import regulation in the foreign markets hindered the export process",
"Main findings of the Survey of the Perceptions of the Owners/Managers of Industries Regarding the Economic Situation", p. 3, PCBS,
December 2007
5
"70.7% of the owners/ managers of the industrial establishments identified the impact of Cost of transportation on production cost",
ibid, p. 1
6
"Survey on the Perception of the Owners/Managers of the Industrial Establishments Towards the Economic Conditions", PCBS,
February 2005, www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/PressRelease/Econ_Feb05E.pdf (accessed 15/07/2009)
7
raw materials, industry and the private sector cannot expect to grow, making
job-creation slow or impossible in the private sector.
1.8 Land seizure

With regard to agriculture and mining as sources of economic prosperity, the
proportion of the West Bank explicitly or severely restricted for Palestinian
use is 38.3%7. The parts of this area that are also some of the most
productive, both with respect to agriculture and natural resources8. In short,
the inability to develop natural resources based in Area C further stunts the
growth of the private sector in the oPt. Both agriculture and mining are
labour-intensive and offer excellent import substitution and export
opportunities. Without these opportunities the possibility of creating sufficient
jobs for the growing youth labour-force is very small.
1.9 Cost of living

Typical causes of inflation in the oPt are: the trade deficit, which subjects the
economy to imported inflation; the lack of a domestic currency and
consequent lack of control over monetary policy; and the influx of foreign aid
and remittances, causing increases in the purchasing power of a limited
number of individuals. As the cost of living rises and incomes decline and
unemployment increases, the difficulties faced by all employing organisations
are heightened. As a result the opportunity to create jobs for the expanding
labour-force is further limited.
Consumer Price Index
166
164
162
Index (1996=100)
160
158
156
154
152
150
May.2007
Mar.2007
Apr.2007
July.2007
Aug.2007
Nov.2007
Dec.2006
Jan. 2007
Feb.2007
June.2007
Sep.2007
Oct.2007
Dec.2007
Month
Source: Adapted from Monthly Consumer Price Index Numbers, 20099, PCBS
7
"The Economic Effects of Restricted Access to Land in the West Bank", World Bank, 2008, p.7
8
The value of seized land: "Some 170,000 dunums [(17,000km2)] of fertile agricultural lands are affected, or 10.2% of the total area
cultivated in the West Bank, with an average economic value of US $38 million – equal to roughly 8% of Palestinian agriculture product",
ibid, p. 23
9
Adapted from Monthly Consumer Price Index Numbers, http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/cpi/551ee164-91d4-436e-b789-1535eca17163.htm (accessed
15/07/2009), 2009, PCBS
8
1.10 Skills and Training
Specifically focusing on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), the
technical capacity to employ more people is rarely present. Managers and
owners who intuitively have these capacities will succeed in growing their
businesses, while those who do not will remain small. Given the economic
structure (see 1.2), it is clear that most businesses in the oPt remain small.
The indication is, therefore, that businesses are missing opportunities to grow
and therefore increase employment.
2. Gender Inequality
The inequality of opportunity between young men and women creates an imbalanced
society. In the oPt, traditional roles often exclude women from the labour market the
effect of which is disproportionately large on young women.
2.1 Traditional roles and attitudes

The traditions in the oPt require women to behave in very particular ways.
The attitudes towards women are often severely affected by the perceptions
created by the traditions. Young women restrict themselves: such is the
strength of the traditions and attitudes, that 65% of young women oppose a
woman president10. The result is that women do not pursue particular roles
or are hindered in their application. Finally, this limit to the available work for
women keeps unemployment of women high and wages low compared to
men.
Total Em ployees by Age Group and Gender

200
Women Men
175
Number of Employees (1,000s)
150
125
100
75
50
25
0
15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+
Age Group
Source: Adapted from Labour Market Statistics, 200911, PCBS
2.2 Ineffective enforcement of legislation (Article 25)

While the equal rights of women to work are enshrined in the legislative
framework12, the facts show that only 11% of employed individuals are
women and women face consistently lower wages11. This inequality dis-
10
"The Youth Talk: Perceptions of the Palestinian youth on their living conditions", Sharek Youth Forum, 2008, p. 29
11
Adapted from Labour Market Statistics, http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/_pcbs/labor/lab_cens_lab_c5.aspx (accessed 15/07/2009), 2009, PCBS
12
The Palestinian Basic Law, Article 25, 2003, http://www.palestinianbasiclaw.org/2003-amended-basic-law (accessed 15/07/2009)
9
empowers women economically and points to an inability of the authorities to
enforce the non-discrimination legislation in place. Women acquire
proportionately more education than men, yet they remain excluded from the
labour market13. Finally, given that only 2% of employees are young women
aged 15-24, while 24% are young men aged 15-24 and that the average
percentage of employees who are female is 11%11, it is evident that women
are not simply under-represented generally, but also that young women are
disproportionately under-represented compared to the average for women.
Average Daily Wages (in NIS) for Wage Employees
100
Average Daily Wage (NIS)
75
50
25
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Year
Male Female
14
Source: Adapted from Labour Market Statistics, 2009 , PCBS
2.3 Opacity of the role of women and underemployment

When a young man is unemployed, he will often spend his time walking with
friends or watching the world pass by standing beside the street. When a
young women is unemployed, she stays at home, perhaps engaged in child-
care for a relative or domestic chores. Women also marry on average 5
years earlier than men15. Both cases contribute to the problem of youth
unemployment, but the latter is hidden and opaque. As a consequence,
those responsible for addressing unemployment are more likely to respond to
the needs of the young men, whose situations are obvious and who are more
accessible as target groups. With specific reference to underemployment,
the PCBS reports that women work on average 6 hours 10 minutes, while
men work on average 7 hours 24 minutes per day16.
3. Exclusion from Entrepreneurial Opportunity

In almost all economies, small enterprises employ the vast majority of individuals. The
youth in the oPt are largely excluded from entrepreneurial opportunities despite the
13
"The overall rate of female enrolment in secondary education amounted to 75.7%, in comparison with 67.6% for males. Females
constitute half the number of students enrolled in universities, as the rate of enrolment in higher education was 107 females for every
100 males in 2004-2005.", "Women in the Palestinian Labour Market",
http://www.pwrdc.ps/PDF/Palestinian%20Women%20and%20the%20Labor%20Market.pdf (accessed 15/07/2009), PWRDC, 2009
14
Adapted from Labour Market Statistics, http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabID=4112&lang=en (accessed 15/07/2009), 200914, PCBS
15
In 2000, the median age for marriage for women was 19.0 and for men 24.1. From Population Statistics,
http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/child/demogrph.aspx (accessed 26/07/2009), PCBS
16
From Gender-focused Statistics, http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/gender/tim1.htm (accessed 19/07/2009), 2007, PCBS
10
fact that these offer the most interesting and beneficial options to them. Meanwhile
entrepreneurial opportunities are not easily exploited as the West Bank and Gaza Strip
are ranked 172 out of 181 in the world for ease of starting a business by the World
Bank17.
Contributing Factors & Barriers to Entry
3.1 Occupation
The occupation is the central barrier for new businesses being started. In the
Gaza Strip, in particular, the occupation prevents viable small businesses
from starting up by making procurement of materials and machinery almost
impossible. In the West Bank, such resources are available but the trading
potential is limited and the economic decline caused by the fragmentation
and security restrictions hinder the progress of start-up businesses. Finally,
for young people in particular, travelling around for any reason is at best slow
and unpredictable. At worst, it is impossible.
3.2 Economic performance and structure

An economy in decline, dependent on aid, stifled from the outside and
between urban centres, Palestine is a difficult place to start a business and
make a living. For the youth in particular, an economy focused on services
(including government and NGO-provided ones) is restrictive and difficult to
enter. Problem 1 (poor economic performance) describes the host of
problems in the Palestinian economy. For young entrepreneurs, all of these
become problems directly and disproportionately affecting them.
3.3 Lack of affordable business development services

The youth, perhaps more than other groups, need support services to get
their businesses started. They do not have experiences to draw on which will
inform the way they operate. At present, only those who are naturally skilled
entrepreneurs succeed in starting up their businesses. Support services that
are not provided in sufficient quantity or quality include finance (see section
3.4), training (see also section 3.6), coaching, networking, marketing,
research, innovation and legal services.
3.4 Lack of access to finance

To start a business, you need money. To access money you need collateral,
contacts or proven experience. For the youth without other options who are
considering entrepreneurship, therefore, the possibility of accessing finance
is almost zero. Even microfinance schemes are inaccessible due to
collateral (physical or social), group lending, or background requirements.
For youth without the opportunity to borrow from family members, this puts
an effective stranglehold on their ambitions. Finally, it is important to note
point 1.9, the rising cost of living. This means that despite the economic
decline, the cost of starting a business is rising daily reaching 96.6% of
income per capita in 200818. This creates an increasing number of young
people who cannot afford, even with savings or family support, to start a
business. In short, financing (including microfinance) is not available or
insufficient to start a viable business for youth.
17
"Doing Business", http://www.doingbusiness.org/CustomQuery/ (accessed 21/07/2009), World Bank, 2009
18
See graph below. The cost of starting a business as a percentage of income per capita was 96.6% in 2008. This compares to 0.7%
for the USA, 4.4% for Israel. "Doing Business", http://www.doingbusiness.org/CustomQuery/ (accessed 21/07/2009), World Bank, 2009
11
Cost of Starting a Business in 2008
200
178.8
Cost (% of income per capita)
150
96.6
100
66.2
62.1
49.4
50
28.6
18.7
5.9 10.6
0.7 4.4
0.3
0
Average MENA
United States
Israel
Italy
Ireland
Jordan
Yemen
Average OECD
Average WORLD
Egypt
Qatar
West Bank and

Gaza
Source: "Doing Business", http://www.doingbusiness.org/CustomQuery/ (accessed 21/07/2009), World Bank, 2009
3.5 Lack of access to markets

Please see section 1.4. This factor contributes directly to the exclusion of
young people from entrepreneurial opportunities as well as to the general
problem affecting existing businesses' ability to grow. With additional
reference to youth enterprise, the absence of local and adaptable market
infrastructure is a significant barrier to the success of new entrepreneurs. In
particular the limited routes to market, the expensive or poor quality
intermediary services and the poor quality or unaffordable marketing services
available to new businesses.
3.6 Skills and training

Entrepreneurial training and skills development opportunities proliferate with
the saturation of free service-provision by NGO projects. It is often the case,
however, that this training does not lead to real changes and improvements
in operational capacity of young entrepreneurs. Meanwhile the groups
targeted by the these training programmes are often restricted. In particular,
the provision of training to young children and teenagers in entrepreneurship
is poor.
3.7 Closed networks

One of the advantages of a strong business network is the mutual support
provided and in particular, the purchase of products or services from within
the network. Exactly this advantage also creates a barrier to entry for new
entrepreneurs. In the oPt, businesses are hierarchical and the heads of the
businesses form a close, strong network that directs business to other
members of the network. For a young person seeking to compete with these
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businesses, the task is made more difficult and in some cases impossible by
the prevalence of closed business networks.
3.8 Bureaucracy, legislation and regulations

The World Bank's Doing Business report paints a picture of excessive red-
tape in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In 2008 it took 92 days to start a
business in the oPt. This compares to 33 days for the Middle East & North
Africa in general, 34 days in Israel and 6 days for the USA. Only 17
countries have a slower business-start-up process. There are 12 procedures
required to start a business, compared to 2 in New Zealand. Only 29
countries have more procedures19. For a youth, each of these barriers is
exacerbated by their age and inexperience. The result is an environment
which makes it almost impossible to start-up unaided.
Comparison of Bureaucracy in 2008

(Time (days) and Number of Procedures to Start a Formal Business)
100
92
Time (days) or Number of Procedures
Time (days)
Procedures (number)
75
63
50 43
33 34
25
14 15
13 13
9
6 6
0
Average OECD
Average MENA
Ireland
Jordan
Average
Israel
Italy
Qatar
Yemen
Egypt
United States
WORLD
West Bank and

Gaza
Source: "Doing Business", http://www.doingbusiness.org/CustomQuery/ (accessed 21/07/2009), World Bank, 2009
3.9 Culture and attitudes

The burden of occupation has a profound effect on the attitudes of youth in
the oPt. The youth are always more optimistic than the average, but the
reality of the conflict forms a powerful negative influence. The outcome is
apathy and migration. Meanwhile, a culture of dependence has emerged out
of necessity through international aid, remittances and the previously ready
labour market in Israel. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that youths seek
illegal work in Israel even when provided with excellent local opportunities20.
The combined outcome is that youth expect to be helped and do not
19
"Doing Business", http://www.doingbusiness.org/CustomQuery/ (accessed 21/07/2009), World Bank, 2009
20
Anecdotal evidence collected by Sharek Youth Forum's Business Support Units during evaluation of a business start-up project giving
financial support, training and business counselling suggested that youths given grants and training would still prefer to seek illegal work
in Israel.
13
necessarily try as hard as they might to create innovative businesses
because they can always fall back to a dependent state.
3.10 Capital and technology intensity

For most youth, the biggest barrier to starting a business is the financial cost.
The biggest cost-hurdles are invariably the capital (including machinery,
equipment, land and buildings) or the technology (including software,
advanced machinery and specialised techniques). For youth, the demands
in almost all markets for uniform products, produced quickly and to a
common standard are insurmountable due to the inability to acquire the
necessary capital or technology. In short, the youth are unable to start
businesses in a large number of markets and so are limited to labour-
intensive industries or simple services (such as retailing). This severely limits
their ability to innovate and restricts their profit-making potential.
3.11 Competition
For youth in the oPt, dominant competition comes from four sources: Israeli
imports, large local businesses with closed distribution networks, OECD
imports and the rest of the world (including Turkey and China). The cost of
competing with any one of these groups makes it almost impossible without
personal connections or funding. Remaining opportunities are, therefore,
limited to completely innovative products or ultra-competitive service sector
niches such as grocery shops, mini-markets, micro-factories and agriculture.
This is reflected in the economic structure (see 1.2) The latter is the most
common but also attracts the lowest margins and so prevents the youth from
growing their businesses sufficiently to enter a more profitable market.
4 . Education and Training

Without a supply of the right skills, businesses will continue to avoid employing
Palestinians for particular roles. In contrast with many countries, the oPt continues to
produce young people that are, on paper, highly educated and well trained. The
problem is not the quantity of education but the relevance and quality of education.
4.1 Occupation
The most disruptive element of the occupation with respect to education is
the security restrictions including movement restrictions. For a young person
studying at a university less than 1 hour away, perhaps in a village near
Nablus, the journey each day may involve long waits at checkpoints. This
makes studying much harder than it needs to be. Meanwhile, the difficulties
faced in travelling to other countries, combined with the lack of international
exposure further hinders the quality of the education in the oPt. Finally, the
occupation makes life unpleasant and forces people to study abroad. If they
do return, these young people are better educated and more experienced.
The same advantages of studying abroad are almost impossible to attain in
the oPt and as such those who cannot afford to are faced with even more
limited opportunities.
4.2 Gap between education and the labour market

Historically, the oPt had an excellent education system that has succeeded in
producing a skilled labour force. A skilled labour force, however, must have
the right skills to meet the needs of the economy in order for the young
14
graduates to participate in the economy. In the oPt today, young people are
being educated and trained to a high degree. In many cases, however, the
fields they are studying are chosen because the teachers are available rather
than because the economy needs them. There is a gap between education
and employment that causes young people to spend time and money
studying that will not help them get a job.
4.3 Economic structure

The trend of the education system has followed that of countries developing
highly skilled workforces that meet the needs of a technologically advanced
and complex-service oriented economy. In the oPt, the economy has not
changed structurally in the same way (see 1.2). As such, the education no
longer meets the needs of the economy. Fields such as NGO administration,
the exceptions to the rule, are providing young people skilled in work which is
fundamentally unsustainable and thus increasing the dependency on foreign
aid. With the economic structure fixed into its current form and the education
system setup to meet another structure altogether, the likelihood of a young
person participating successfully in the economy is falling annually.
4.4 Over-academic courses

While related to points 4.2 and 4.3, it is sufficiently important to separate this
problem which relates in a large part to the technical and vocational
education and training (TVET) sector. While the sector exists, it has very
limited capacity both in terms of quantity and quality. Meanwhile the courses
lack the essential work-experience, apprenticeship and internship
opportunities that should characterise them as practical and direct routes into
gainful employment.
4.5 Cost
There are two central elements to the cost-challenge in the oPt. The first is
the cost of higher education. Many families can afford to pay tuition fees,
while many cannot. While proposals for universal free higher education have
been made, the cost are prohibitive and there is a clear need to counter the
widening inequality between rich and poor through education. The second
element to the problem is the training and capacity building that dominates
NGO interventions. While training budgets and the resulting industry that
depends on them are inflated, the cost to trainees is almost always zero.
This creates a skewed incentive to attend training and a skewed market for it
both of which lead to low quality. Invariably, training has little or no long term
impact on the trainees despite the vast costs associated with it.
4.6 Expectations of youth

Youth in 2009 see the world around them every day. 46% of youth have
travelled outside Palestine and 36% consider migrating externally21. With
communications technology widely available (including televisions, internet
and mobile phones), the youth are exposed to a swathe of cultures offering
different costs and benefits. They are, unlike in previous generations,
presented with a picture of a life they don't see around them but they know
exists. This makes them impatient to have what they see youth in other
countries having. The difference between these desires and the real
21
"The Youth Talk: Perceptions of the Palestinian youth on their living conditions", Sharek Youth Forum, 2008, p. 56-57
15
economic opportunities available in the oPt creates a problematic imbalance
in expectations.
4.7 Infrastructure and Investment

The oPt suffers in the education sector as in others, from aging infrastructure
and a lack of long-term investment. Meanwhile, the investment in teachers'
salaries has lagged behind the cost of living (see 1.9). Poor pay, leads to
poor quality and demotivated teachers, which has precipitated the general
poor employability of the youth. Given the difficulties faced in paying salaries
of teachers, the possibility of investing in improved facilities, teaching
equipment and technological advances is limited without private funding.
4.8 Lack of services

In particular, services bridging the gap between education and work (careers
services) are poor quality or non-existent22. These services are valuable in
order to ensure that job-applicants can properly communicate their suitability
for the job they are applying for. The absence of such services creates an
imbalance between those people who can and those who cannot access
them. Youth who have studied abroad have a significant advantage in the
oPt itself having had access to careers services. Meanwhile, for youth
competing abroad, the likelihood of success is even more affected given the
quality of services available to those they are competing with.
5 . Barriers created by the failures in the system

The elements of society obligated to address social problems – families, local
governance structures, national governments, non-state actors – are the source of
solutions to the problems presented above. When they do not provide those solutions,
however, they themselves become a barrier. If they acted according to their mandate
the problems outlined in this paper would be eliminated. These systemic barriers can
also be pre-requisites to a solution and while not directly affecting youth economic
empowerment, still play an important role.
Contributing factors
5.1 Occupation
While occupation is not the sole cause of any problem in the oPt, with
respect to Youth Employment and the economy in general, the occupation is
the most significant systemic barrier in place to a solution. Even when it
does not directly create a problem, the occupation is hindering a solution.
Specifically, it illegally creates barriers to economic development including
settlements, settlement infrastructure and the separation wall23. It uses the
tools of occupation to create economic barriers, including checkpoints,
security restrictions and the blockade of Gaza. Finally, it creates uncertainty
and dependency both of which stifle the private sector. Its removal would
lead to significant self-generated improvements in the employment situation
for youth.
22
Supported by anecdotal evidence from Sharek Youth Forum's experience providing careers services in universities and Injaaz's
experience providing careers services in secondary schools. Both are providing excellent services but are not able to offer sufficient
coverage for all young people.
23
Settlements in occupied territory and any infrastructure created to serve those settlements are illegal according to International
Humanitarian Law to which Israel is a signatory. UN Security Council, Resolution 465, 1980
16
5.2 Lack of a comprehensive national youth strategy and in particular a
national youth employment strategy
The current document seeks to address directly this problem which until now
has persisted. The lack of a coordinated strategy combined with the regular
donor-funded projects leads to duplication, poor targeting of beneficiaries and
avoidance of the highest priority problems. If a comprehensive strategic
approach was adopted, many of the problems outlined in this paper would
already have been addressed.
5.3 Poor representation of the youth in politics

The youth are under-represented politically. The minimum age for
membership of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) is 3024, while at
present, the youngest member is 3125. This excludes more than one third26
of the adult Palestinian population. While the situation is obvious on the
national level, youth are under-represented at all levels in the oPt from
community service-providers to local government and private business, there
is always a lack of youth representing their needs to society. As a result,
policies and actions lack understanding of the real issues that youth face and
that concern them. Finally, this limits the ability of institutions to identify
tackle the problems that face youth.
5.4 Lack of dedicated services

With the lack of a comprehensive policy, government (among other) services
rarely focus on youth exclusively. In particular, it is the awkward positioning
of responsibility for youth in national institutions that hinders society from
addressing the key challenges outlined in this paper. For example youth is
commonly combined with sports and culture27 which undervalues the
importance of youth given the demographic situation28. The impact is that
problems are not often solved and the lack of a comprehensive youth policy
is a clear consequence of these problems. Many problems are unique to
youth and without dedicated services and institutions, they will remain
unsolved.
5.5 Competition among NGOs

The excess of donor funding in the oPt (see 1.3) has steadily encouraged a
proliferation of NGOs providing services and assistance to the Palestinians.
While these NGOs often perform a vital role in maintaining society and
supporting progress, they are poorly coordinated and regularly replicate each
others' projects with small changes. Indeed most projects adopt the same
approach and rarely achieve a lasting, meaningful impact. Meanwhile, the
replication wastes resources and the competition leads to funds being split
which reduces their potential impact. In short, NGOs end up providing
competing services without intention due to poor coordination and this in turn
prevents some problems being addressed for lack of funds.
24
1995 Palestinian Elections Law, www.palestinianbasiclaw.org/downloads/1995-elections-law.pdf (accessed 26/07/2009)
25
The youngest member is Moshir el-Masri, born 1978. "The Palestinian Legislative Council, A Handbook", The Washington Institute,
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/html/pdf/PLCHandbook.pdf (accessed 26/07/2009)
26
Estimations from PCBS population statistics, PCBS, 2009
27
Youth was even combined with prisoners' affairs in the emergency cabinet in 2009
(http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1181813054710, accessed 11/08/2009).
Previous cabinets listed at the
Jerusalem Media and Communication Centre, http://www.jmcc.org/politics/pna/pagovfeb05.htm (accessed 11/08/2009).
28
The youth comprised about 27% of the total population of whom 40% were adolescents (15-19) and 40% where 60% were young
people (20-29). "Palestine Youth: Figures and Statistics", Sharek Youth Forum et al, 2007, p. 1
17
Recommendations
Introduction
It is with some hesitancy that STEP FORWARD and Sharek Youth Forum take on the vast
task of putting forward recommendations to address the host of problems identified above.
We are more than aware of the complexity of the task ahead but we face it with open eyes
and open arms. We acknowledge our limitations in knowledge and capacity. We have not
however, limited our ambition. We invite our colleagues in youth organisations, national
and international NGOs, government ministries, national and international institutions and
of course, the private sector to join us in setting out a clear action plan to take Palestinian
youth forward. So, although we may have made mistakes, we hope that by beginning the
discussion and continuing it together, we will reach the right conclusion.
Structure
The section broadly reflects the problem analysis and the identifying numbers (such as 1.4
or 3.2) match up. The problem analysis is both an overview of the situation and a
reference to inform the discussions on the recommendations. Where factors are omitted
from the recommendations section, it indicates that no recommendations have been
suggested. For example, with reference to occupation, no recommendations have been
made since only the end of the occupation will solve the problem and this goes beyond the
scope of this white paper.
Each factor is taken in turn. A rough estimate is given regarding the possible cost (where
1 is almost without cost and 10 is in excess of millions of dollars) and the time (where 1 is
almost instant and 10 is on the 3-5 year timescale). Pre-requisite factors are those
necessary to be solved prior to the implementation of the recommendations given.
Dependent factors, on the other hand, are those which depend on the implementation of
the recommendations connected with the factor under consideration. The numbers match
those of factors listed in the problem analysis.
Recommendations are sorted by general responsibility for their implementation.

Government recommendations include those for ministries, schools, the executive,
legislature and the judiciary. The civil society recommendations are aimed principally at
youth organisations but also at other Palestinian NGOs and community organisations.
The private sector includes profit-making companies and private institutions. Finally, the
international column refers to international NGOs, foreign governments, bilateral and
multilateral donors and international institutions.
These points are summarised in Appendix 1.
18
Problem 1 Poor Economic Performance
1.1 -
No recommendations
Occupation
Cost Band Time Band Pre-requisite Factors Dependent Factors
9 9 1.1, 1.6, 1.8, 2.1 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.9, 3.1, 4.3
Government Youth Organisations Private Sector International
Conduct major macro- Conduct regular labour

1.2 - Economic economic review and seek market assessments
Structure methods of increasing the including migration and Respond positively to
labour-market absorbtion advocate for government government and NGO
capacity Support Palestinian entities in
action on increasing the recommendations on
increasing labour-market
labour-market absorbtion labour-market
Establish work-abroad absorbtion capacity
capacity absorbtion capacity
programme building measures
Adopt a labour-intensive Develop sustainable local
approach to investment employment programmes
19
7 7 5.2, 5.5 1.5, 1.9
1.3 - Government Youth Organisations Private Sector International

Dependency
on foreign aid Focus on sustainability of
Review funding strategies
institutions and adopt Support government Review aid policies with
and create timelines for the
strategies recommended to revenue raising respect to no-harm and
final substitution of aid for
substitue foreign aid for measures and provide economic no-harm policies are
government- and self-
government-generated voluntary commitments adopted
generated revenue
revenue
3 7 1.1, 1.2, 1.8 1.5, 3.5
1.4 - Lack of Government Youth Organisations Private Sector International

access to
markets Provide extensive
Adopt strategies for
understanding (including
improving perceptions
recommendations to International monitoring of
Revisit the Paris Protocol and of Palestinian products
government and the private implementation of
implement recommendations and accessing local
sector) of the features and recommendations
and international
impacts of lack of access to
markets
markets
20
10 3 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.7, 1.10, 5.5

1.5 - Under-
investment Government Youth Organisations Private Sector International
Support and improve the Advocate for and improve

Advocate for the removal of
Palestinian Investment existing private sector Prioritise investment
barriers to investment
Promotion Agency (PIPA) investment mechanisms
1.6 -
Technological No recommendations
Development
1.7 - Import
No recommendations
restrictions
1 7 1.1 1.2, 1.4

1.8 - Land
seizure Government Youth Organisations Private Sector International
Research and implement Hold the State of Israel to

Capacity building for legal
measures to develop despite account with respect to
challenges to land seizure
the lack of access to land international law
21
7 5 1.1, 1.2, 1.3

1.9 - Cost of
living Government Youth Organisations Private Sector International
Research and address the Research and implement Investment in Research into the most
supply-side causes of strategies to avoid creating efficiency measures to appropriate measures to
inflation inflation with foreign aid cut costs reduce imported inflation
5 2 1.5
1.10 - Skills
and Training Government Youth Organisations Private Sector International
Provide incentives for private

Capacity building in private Invest in skills and
businesses to invest in skills
sector training
and training
22
Problem 2 Gender Inequality
4 9 2.3 1.2, 3.9
Establish innovative non-

Conduct baseline survey on Adopt positive
traditional employment and
attitudes towards women in discrimination policies
self-employment programme
non-traditional roles for non-traditional roles
for young women
2.1 -
Traditional Provide internship and
roles and Incorporate best practices Create financing products work-experience
attitudes into government employment specifically targetted at young programmes for young
practice women. women in non-
traditional roles
Support the promotion of

Provide additional training for
non-traditional roles to young
young women
women
Develop a Gender-
Training for teachers to Develop acceptance of Sensitive Employer
change attitudes changing roles brand
Review educational curricula Provide gender-specific

and materials career guidance
23
6 2 5.1, 5.2, 5.5
Incorporate best practices Empower workers' rights

into government employment organisations to monitor and
2.2 - practice support enforcement Public ranking of
Ineffective companies' adherence
enforcement of Build awareness in the to legislation
Review curricula with respect
legislation community of rights and
to gender-sensitivity
(Article 25) obligations
Coordination between
ministries responsible for
youth and women
Public ranking for
Provide legal aid for female
Introduce clear penalties for companies adherence
workers
breaking this law to the legislation
Mainstream gender-sensitive
education
24
6 5 5.2, 5.3 2.1, 3.9
Establish two-way
2.3 - Opacity of employment promotion Awareness raising campaign
the role of service on the role of women in
women and employment
Strengthen women's
underemploym
business networks
ent
Review the classification of Organise forums for
unemployment statistics unemployed young women
Organise regular projects for
Tracking graduates to identify unemployed and
ongoing needs underemployed young women
building their capacity
Use community networks to
identify young women who
would like to work
25
Problem 3 Exclusion from Entrepreneurial Opportunity
3.1 -
No recommendations
Occupation
9 9 1.2, 3.1 3.11
3.2 - Economic Create incentives for

performance sustainable youth Document real Focus on economic stimulus
and structure employment in emerging entrepreneurial experiences projects
sectors
Study good practices
Wide-reaching macro- from similar business
economic policy review environments Review aid policies with
Regular youth-focused
respect to no-harm and
market assessment by
Subsidise youth economic no-harm policies are
student volunteers
entrepreneurs in key adopted <1.3>
industries
26
6 5 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 3.4
Conduct in depth assessment Invest in services to

Oversee the merging of
of capacity of existing compete with NGO
duplicated services
3.3 - Lack of services sector
affordable
business Provide quality,
development affordable and youth-
Provide support for
services Undertake review of needed focused Business
privatised, youth focused Build capacity among civil
services and which services Development Services
business development society and government to
should be free or privatised including business
services provide needed services
counselling, incubation
and training
Increase social
responsibility activities
Effective guidance of youth Effective guidance of youth
and refocus towards
towards high potential sectors towards high potential sectors
provision of Business
Development Services
27
8 4 3.3, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 5.2, 5.4 3.10
Establish a Youth Enterprise Sharing of youth-specific Develop commercial

fund good practices between MFIs credit rating system
Support research into new
Develop youth-specific funding models
Facilitate microfinance Encourage person-to-person
credit financing
schemes (P2P) lending
products
Creation of innovative
Ease regulations financing schemes for youth
business Creation of a fund for Support research into
youth to launch community investment funds
Provide youth specific innovative businesses managed by professionals
Introduce compulsory programmes to support
financial education in schools access to micro- and
commercial-finance
3.5 - Lack of Cost Band Time Band Pre-requisite Factors Dependent Factors
access to
markets 4 3 1.4, 3.1 3.11
Review bureaucratic Supporting enterprises in the Organisation of

regulations and requirements development of product supplier events to Support civil society
considering excemptions for quality, marketing and pricing promote products
youth strategies
28
International market access
Establish and build up local
programmes for youth
market infrastructure
businesses
5 2 5.4, 5.5 3.4, 3.11
Training the trainers in youth

Sponsor independent review enterprise development
Sponsor business plan
3.6 - Skills and of entrepreneurship
Build capacity in competitions
training programmes
understanding and working
with microfinance
Improve effiicency of school- Provide quality,

level enterprise training affordable and youth-
Add entrepreneurship and (including TVET colleges) focused Business
related skills into the school
Development Services
curricula at the primary and Establish a mechanism for including business
secondary levels the review of counselling, incubation
entrepreneurship and training <3.3>
programmes
29
2 7 5.2, 5.3 3.4, 3.10, 3.11

3.7 - Closed
networks Offer support for youth
enterprise and youth
Support the foundation of business development
peer-support networks for
young entrepreneurs Development of a
women's enterprise
network
4 4 3.4

3.8 -
Bureaucracy, Establish a Youth Watchdog
legislation and Introduce a new business to assess existing legislation
regulations regulation system and propose changes
focused on youth
Establish a monitoring
Introduce specific rules and
system to monitor
incentives for youth
improvement and progress in
businesses
improving the system
30
5 7 2.1, 2.3, 5.3 3.4
Establish business
Organise campaigns to
3.9 - Culture Incentives to start a business networking clubs with
promote youth enterprise and
and attitudes in marginalised areas membership open to
support young entrepreneurs
youth
Motivational business-
Campaign against work in
focused capacity building for Establish
illegal settlements
apathetic youth entrepreneurs'
volunteer mentor
Introduce business and Research and development programme
entrepreneurship elements at of business ideas which
all education levels capable youth can take up
3.10 - Capital Cost Band Time Band Pre-requisite Factors Dependent Factors
or technology
intensity 7 8 3.1, 3.4, 3.7
Increase in Establish community projects

Improve access to finance for
specialisation and sub- with community ownership of
youth
contracting of smaller capital and technology
elements of production
Reduce technical Advocate for the removal of
requirements on certain non-tariff barriers on
products Palestinian imports
31
Provision of capital and
technology at favourable rates
4 6 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7
3.11 - Government Youth Organisations Private Sector International

Competition
Infant industry support
scheme
Youth entrepreneur incentive

and excemptions schemes
32
Problem 4 Education and Training
4.1 -
No recommendations
Occupation
4.2 - Gap Cost Band Time Band Pre-requisite Factors Dependent Factors
between
education and 4 5 4.4, 4.8, 5.2
the labour
market Government Youth Organisations Private Sector International
Thorough review with respect

to the education-work gap at
all education sectors
including higher education,
secondary, primary and
TVET
Provide accurate and
Establish an education Training teachers and forthcoming Undertake and disseminate
taskforce between the trainers in how to focus on information about findings of youth employment
ministries of labour, national market needs private sector needs assessment
economy and education and from the labour market
higher education to
continuously check market
needs and match those
needs with changes in
curricula and educational
activities and methods
33
Provision of systematic
career guidance
Develop curriculum Provide support and Provide technical

guidelines including good Provide systemic, long-term
coordination mechanisms assistance, support
practices support to the government
and participate actively in the and participate in
taskforce
government taskforce government task force
Implement system to ensure
there is no excess of
graduates entering the
market
4.3 - Economic
No recommendations
structure
4.4 - Over- Cost Band Time Band Pre-requisite Factors Dependent Factors
academic
courses 4 5 4.6, 5.2, 5.3 4.2
Integrate entrepreneurship Provide

into curricula at all levels. Increase the appreciation and apprenticeships
remove the stigma attached
Require apprenticeship and to non-academic disciplines
internships elements in the
majority of courses
Incentivised non-academic Pilot programmes to activate

programmes enterprise clubs
34
Establish enterprise clubs in
schools and universities
4.5 - Cost Cost Band Time Band Pre-requisite Factors Dependent Factors
5 3 5.3
Urgently activate, establish

and regulate a functioning Establish a watchdog to
and transparent student assess and monitor the
scholarship scheme covering scholarship and loan
places in universities both in schemes
the oPt and abroad Provide educational
scholarships
Revisit and re-establish a Initiate and promote
properly functioning student community funding schemes
loan scheme to provide scholarships and
loands to prospective
Nationally regulate costs and students
fees at universities
35
5 5 4.1, 5.2, 5.4 4.4
Raise awareness of labour

law and set realistic
4.6 - expectations about salaries
Support the creation of a and career paths
Expectations national career guidance
of youth and service Inform youth about labour Provide accurate and
from youth
market needs and potential forthcoming
information about
Assess the needs of youth private sector needs
from the labour market
Encourage youth to <4.2>
Provide academic counselling investigate opportunities
and career education earlier
in the secondary school Heavily invest in the provision
system of career and academic
couselling at the secondary
and university levels
4.7 - Cost Band Time Band Pre-requisite Factors Dependent Factors

Infrastructure
and 10 6 5.2, 5.3
Investment
Provide better incentive

systems for teachers, in
36
particular, revisiting the low
salary structure
Focus solely on addressing

the salary structure in the
short term
5 4 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 4.2
Support the creation of a Contribute to career and

national career guidance academic guidance and
service <4.6> education
Create a skills database to

4.8 - Lack of
inform the private sector
services
Delegate repsonsibility for about the availability of skills
youth resources centres to in the labour market
civil society and provide Build up existing services and
continuing support Take responsibility for and service-infrastructure
activate youth centres,
transforming them into youth
resource centres
Establish cash for training Provide training to young

and work mechanisms women focused on non-
(temporary placement traditional roles
opportunities)
Pilot and support innovative
37
service delivery, information
kiosks
38
Problem 5 Barriers created by failures in the system
5.1 -
No recommendations
Occupation
1 1 5.3 1.3, 2.2, 2.3, 3.4, 3.7, 4.2, 4.4, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 5.4, 5.5
5.2 - Lack of a Participate in the

Review and participate in the
comprehensiv review and
enhancement of this action
e national enhancement of the
plan
youth strategy youth action plan
and in
particular a Adopt the newly created Participate in the review and
national youth youth employment action enhancement of the youth
employment plan action plan Provide accurate and Participate in the review and
strategy forthcoming enhancement of the youth
Review, develop and information about action plan
strengthen capacity of CSOs private sector needs
and state-actors with
responsibility for youth
Improve data collection Introduce and pilot youth- Focus activity on

sensitive employment providing emerging
Incorporate youth perspective programmes sector opportunities
39
and needs into
macroeconomic policies
1 3 2.3, 3.3, 3.7, 3.9, 4.4, 4.5, 4.7, 4.8, 5.2, 5.4
Support the creation of a Carry out youth-employment

national career guidance impact analysis of macro-
service <4.6> economic policies
5.3 - Poor
representation Activate the inter-ministerial
of the youth in education taskforce with the
politics participation of youth Take responsibility for and Provide accurate and
organisations activate youth centres, forthcoming
transforming them into youth information about
Mainstream youth resource centres <4.8> private sector needs
employment at all levels of from the labour market
government <4.2>
Develop a media strategy to

focus on youth employment Assess specific needs of
marginalised communities
Establish dedicated data-
collection unit
40
6 5 5.2, 5.3, 5.5 3.3, 3.4, 3.6, 4.6, 4.8, 5.5
Support, fund and monitor the Support and monitor the

creation of an independent newly created independent
5.4 - Lack of
educational commission educational commission
dedicated
services Mainstream youth Identify youth service needs,
employment at all levels of review existing coverage and
government <5.3> support main-streaming of
youth employment in
Provide dedicated, youth- government
sensitive services
Esblish and build up school

Develop competency based
councils to improve
skills recognition system
accountablity
41
3 7 5.2, 5.4 1.3, 1.5, 2.2, 3.3, 3.6, 3.9, 4.8, 5.4
Setup website and database

to share ideas and pool
5.5 - Support, fund and monitor the knowledge and resources
Competition creation of an independent
among NGOs NGO monitoring commission Initiate regular
communication focused
meetings Launch a youth think
tank
Undertake and disseminate
findings of regular market
Encourage NGOs to research
specialise by managing
opportunities Actively promote new ideas
that cannot be implemented
due to capacity issues
42
Appendix A:
Meaning of Items in Recommendations Section Tables
Problem:
The main problem to be addressed connected to the problem analysis
Contributing factor:
The element of the problem that the recommendations address connected to the
problem analysis by the identifying number (eg. 3.2 or 1.4)
Cost Band:
An estimate of the cost, where 1 is almost zero and 10 is in the millions of dollars
Time Band:
An estimate of the time needed to implement all of the recommendations, where 1
is almost immediate and 10 is 3-5 years
Pre-requisite Factors:
Contributing factors to this and other problems that are important or required to be
solved before this contributing factor can be addressed comprehensively
Dependent Factors:
Contributing factors to this and other problems that depend on this factor being
addressed
Government:
Includes the executive (including ministries), legislature and the judiciary as well as
educational institutions or other government run institutions.
Civil Society:
Includes community-based organisations, national NGOs and international NGOs
that are working in the oPt.
Private Sector:
Includes micro, small, medium-sized and national companies, private institutions
and foundations
International:
Includes international NGOs, foreign governments, bilateral and multilateral donors
and international institutions.
43

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Palestinian Youth Employment Action Plan

a White Paper prepared by STEP FORWARD and Sharek Youth Forum

It is also acknowledged, however, that governments alone cannot be expected to address

Objectives of this White Paper

1.2 Economic Structure

Economic Activity by Sector (% of Workforce, 2006)

Source: Adapted from "Palestine in Figures", 20071, PCBS, 2009

Transport, storage &

Source: Adapted from "Palestine in Figures", 20071, PCBS, 2009

It is also important to note that while 14,508 industrial enterprises exist, a

1.3 Dependency on foreign aid

1.4 Lack of access to markets

1.6 Technological Development

1.7 Import restrictions

1.8 Land seizure

1.9 Cost of living

2.1 Traditional roles and attitudes

Total Em ployees by Age Group and Gender

Source: Adapted from Labour Market Statistics, 200911, PCBS

2.2 Ineffective enforcement of legislation (Article 25)

2.3 Opacity of the role of women and underemployment

3. Exclusion from Entrepreneurial Opportunity

Contributing Factors & Barriers to Entry

3.2 Economic performance and structure

3.3 Lack of affordable business development services

3.4 Lack of access to finance

West Bank and

3.5 Lack of access to markets

3.6 Skills and training

3.7 Closed networks

3.8 Bureaucracy, legislation and regulations

Comparison of Bureaucracy in 2008

West Bank and

Source: "Doing Business", http://www.doingbusiness.org/CustomQuery/ (accessed 21/07/2009), World Bank, 2009

3.9 Culture and attitudes

3.10 Capital and technology intensity

4 . Education and Training

4.2 Gap between education and the labour market

4.3 Economic structure

4.4 Over-academic courses

4.6 Expectations of youth

4.7 Infrastructure and Investment

4.8 Lack of services

5 . Barriers created by the failures in the system

5.3 Poor representation of the youth in politics

5.4 Lack of dedicated services

5.5 Competition among NGOs

Recommendations are sorted by general responsibility for their implementation.

These points are summarised in Appendix 1.

Cost Band Time Band Pre-requisite Factors Dependent Factors

Government Youth Organisations Private Sector International

Conduct major macro- Conduct regular labour

7 7 5.2, 5.5 1.5, 1.9

1.3 - Government Youth Organisations Private Sector International

Cost Band Time Band Pre-requisite Factors Dependent Factors

3 7 1.1, 1.2, 1.8 1.5, 3.5

1.4 - Lack of Government Youth Organisations Private Sector International

10 3 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.7, 1.10, 5.5

Support and improve the Advocate for and improve

Cost Band Time Band Pre-requisite Factors Dependent Factors

1 7 1.1 1.2, 1.4

Research and implement Hold the State of Israel to

7 5 1.1, 1.2, 1.3