Partnership for Empowerment – YDRC × Drosos Foundation

Partner & Funder: DROSOS Foundation
Duration: 36 Months (2025–2028)
Total Budget (Requested from DROSOS): $594,464.29
Target Area: Five marginalized areas in Hebron Governorate
Target Group: 1,000 disadvantaged youth (ages 17–35), with a focus on women and vulnerable groups

Project Summary

Partner to Empower is a strategic three-year initiative launched by HYDRC in collaboration with the DROSOS Foundation to tackle youth unemployment and economic marginalization in Hebron. The project adopts a transformative approach rooted in local partnerships, institutional development, and the Positive Youth Development (PYD) model.

By establishing five Economic Empowerment Units within community-based organizations (CBOs), the project decentralizes service delivery, ensures sustainability, and empowers 1,000 youth with skills and access to opportunities in employment, entrepreneurship, and freelancing.

This intervention responds to alarming youth unemployment rates (39%+) in southern Hebron, especially among women, and offers scalable solutions grounded in grassroots action.

Strategic Pillars of Intervention

1. Strengthening Local CBOs

The project invests in five local CBOs to transform them into sustainable service providers in the field of economic empowerment.

Key Outputs:

• 50 hours of institutional capacity-building training
• 150 hours of tailored coaching
• 5 operational toolkits for CBOs
• 5 fully equipped Economic Empowerment Units
• Each CBO will serve as a local hub for youth services during and after the project.

2. Empowering 1,000 Disadvantaged Youth

HYDRC will deliver customized, hands-on training, mentorship, and opportunity access for 1,000 youth, using a peer-led, community-based model.

Key Outputs:

• 3 annual Training of Trainers (TOT) programs for 60 youth
• 50 practical training cycles (15 hours each)
• 20 business start-up grants and 50 internship placements
• 300 one-on-one coaching sessions
• Graduates of TOT programs will deliver sessions within their communities—creating a multiplier effect.

3. Exposure, Networking & Real-World Opportunities

The project connects youth to real economic opportunities by bridging them with the private sector and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Key Outputs:

• 2 Business Bazaars to showcase youth products/services
• 2 Career Days connecting youth with employers
• 4 expert meetups and 6 enterprise site visits
• Launch of an online platform for mentoring and networking

These activities enhance visibility, build confidence, and create practical linkages to employment and markets.

Sustainability and Scalability

The project embeds sustainability through:

• Building CBOs as independent service hubs
• Integrating services into the Hebron Innovation Space
• Generating income via facility rentals and service fees
• Supporting CBOs to access new grants (target: 3 CBOs funded independently)

This model provides a strong foundation for future replication across the West Bank, positioning HYDRC as a national leader in youth economic empowerment.

Key Expected Results

• 1,000 youth trained in employment, business, or freelancing
• 20 businesses launched and 50 internships completed
• 300 coaching sessions delivered
• 5 operational Economic Empowerment Units
• 200 youth expand their professional networks
• 3 CBOs secure external funding to sustain services post-project