Women's Economic Empowerment Matters (WEE Matters) Project

Implementing Organization: Hebron Youth Development Resource Center (YDRC)
Duration: 26 months 
Target Areas: Area C and H2 of Hebron
Direct Beneficiaries: 800 women (ages 18–50)
Indirect Beneficiaries: Over 150,000 community members

Project Summary

WEE Matters is a multi-pathway, community-based initiative designed to empower marginalized women in Hebron through integrated interventions in economic empowerment, employment readiness, and civic engagement. Implemented by YDRC in collaboration with five local community-based organizations (CBOs), the project addresses structural, social, and economic barriers limiting women’s participation and rights in Palestinian society.

Aligned with ACA’s goals, WEE Matters promotes active citizenship, inclusive economic growth, and community resilience—particularly in under-resourced areas experiencing high unemployment and entrenched gender inequality. The project is grounded in the Women’s Economic Empowerment Framework and the Positive Youth Development (PYD) Approach, integrating skill-building, mentoring, safe spaces, and grassroots mobilization to create sustainable change.

Partner Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)

Future Youth Arms Forum – Durra
Shyokh Sport Club – Shyokh
Tanweer Association – Beit Umar
Bani Naem Association – Bani Naem
Nisa Al-REEF Association – Yatta

Strategic Pathways of Intervention

1. Small Business Empowerment

200 women will participate in business development training focused on ideation, planning, and marketing. Using the business model canvas, participants will develop feasible micro-business plans. Pitching events will be held in two rounds to select 10 winning projects for seed funding and mentorship. This pathway helps women transform ideas into income-generating, scalable ventures.

2. Employment Development

400 women will complete employability training including CV writing, interview preparation, communication skills, and career orientation. Career days and internship placements will connect participants with real job opportunities. Activities are supported by pre/post assessments and ongoing follow-up to track labor market outcomes.

3. Civic Engagement & Advocacy

200 women will receive training in civic participation and community activism. They will design and lead 10 social initiatives addressing local needs and promoting gender equality. A media campaign—amplified through YDRC’s Masader FM—will feature talk shows, digital storytelling, and community events such as the Women’s Summit and the 16 Days of Activism.

4.Capacity Building & Sustainability

All five partner CBOs will receive tailored institutional development support including:

• Strategic planning workshops
• Visibility and communication toolkits
• Staff capacity-building sessions
• Each CBO will host a dedicated safe space for women, with a female community advocate appointed per location to support local leadership and outreach.
• A mapping exercise will identify two additional CBOs for future scale-up and replication.

WEE Matters Project Achievements
Despite its early suspension in January 2025, the WEE Matters project successfully delivered tangible and lasting impact for hundreds of marginalized women across Hebron through integrated interventions and community-led initiatives. Below is a summary of key achievements:

Small Business Empowerment

• 5 business training courses conducted in Dura, Beit Ummar, Shyoukh, Yatta, and Bani Naem.
• 80 women trained on business model development and planning.
• A Pitching Event was held with 16 participants presenting business ideas.
• 5 women-led businesses were awarded seed funding (exceeding the initial target of 4).

Employment Development

• A Career Day was organized on September 28, 2024, with 123 women participating from various localities.
• Internship planning was completed, but implementation was halted due to project suspension.
• Civic Engagement & Community Initiatives
• 104 women trained on civic participation and community engagement across 6 locations.
• 8 social initiatives implemented, tackling issues like health, inclusion, and economic empowerment.
• 5 podcast episodes produced as part of the "TUSAHEM" talk series, covering topics such as employment, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and motherhood.

Awareness & Advocacy

• Two public campaigns launched: “تتمكن لنتمكن – Empower to Empower” and “Women Lead”.
• 15+ digital posters designed and published across social media.
• 3 success story videos produced (2 released).
• 2 newsletters published and shared with over 550 subscribers.

Institutional Capacity Building

• A 3-day capacity-building workshop (January 2024) delivered to 24 staff members from HYDRC and partner CBOs on leadership, GBV, advocacy, and communication.
• 5 community advocates were appointed to lead activities in each location.
• Equipment purchased: 2 laptops, 1 camera, 1 printer, and office furniture to support safe spaces.