ILO and Spain conclude project to enhance market access for Palestinian agricultural cooperatives

Jericho, the Occupied Palestinian Territory (ILO News)- The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Government of Spain marked the successful completion of their project, "Enhancing Cooperatives’ Access to Markets for Decent Work and Resilience in the Occupied Palestinian Territory", with a closing event at the Jericho Agro-Industrial Park (JAIP).

Launched in June 2024, the project strengthened agricultural cooperatives in the West Bank, particularly in Jericho and the Jordan Valley, by equipping them with advanced marketing strategies and digital tools to improve their access to markets. The project directly benefitted 10 Palestinian agricultural cooperatives by improving their marketing infrastructure, skills and digital capabilities to foster economic growth, job creation and community resilience.

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The closing event showcased the project’s successes, while also serving as a networking platform for cooperatives. It brought together key actors from the Palestinian market system to foster linkages with value chain stakeholders, further enhance market access, and facilitate discussion on strengthening cooperatives’ integration into the broader market ecosystem. Equipped with refined value propositions, brochures, business cards, and key talking points, cooperatives engaged with potential buyers and service providers, exchanging insights on financing mechanisms, supply chain support, and insurance solutions to strengthen their market position.

Representing the project’s donor, Ms Cristina Gonzalez, Deputy Director at the Spanish Special Commissioner for Social Economy within Spain’s Ministry of Labour and Social Economy, praised the importance of this initiative. “The success of this project demonstrates that even with a modest budget, strategic interventions can yield significant impact. The [project’s] student-led competition highlighted the power of youth innovation in driving cooperative growth. We commend the ILO for its effective implementation and commitment to maximizing resources for meaningful change. As a donor, we remain dedicated to supporting Palestine’s cooperative sector and expanding interventions that foster decent work, economic empowerment and sustainable development."

Mr Ventura Rodríguez García, Head of Office of the Spanish international development agency, the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID), emphasized Spain’s dedication to supporting economic empowerment in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. "This project has strengthened the marketing capacities, networking, and market positioning of 10 dairy and honey cooperatives in Jericho and the Jordan Valley,” he noted. “We look forward to expanding this strategy to other areas and sectors.”

Speaking on behalf of the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Ashraf Barakat, Head of the Jericho Agriculture Directorate, emphasized the project's important role in addressing marketing gaps and empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). "This project has significantly enhanced the market access of agricultural cooperatives, contributing to sustainable growth and job creation in Palestine," he said.

Ms Rasha El Shurafa, ILO Officer-in-Charge in Jerusalem, reaffirmed the ILO’s commitment to cooperative development and digital transformation as key drivers of economic stability and social cohesion. "By equipping cooperatives with essential skills and market opportunities, we strengthen their capacity to create sustainable jobs and contribute to economic resilience,” she stated.

The event showcased the project's key components and achievements, reflecting the enhanced marketing capacities of beneficiary cooperatives – particularly in digital marketing – and how their access to markets has improved thanks to targeted interventions.

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Speaking at the event, Mona Jaber, a member of the Jericho and Jordan Valley Beekeepers Cooperative - Aqbet Jaber, highlighted the significance of the occasion: "Showcasing our honey production and new digital platform at this event was a milestone for us. We are excited about the opportunities to expand our reach beyond local markets and connect with new buyers through e-commerce."

The event concluded with the official launch of three cooperative websites developed under the project, marking a significant milestone towards strengthening Palestinian agricultural cooperatives in Jericho and the Jordan Valley, and equipping them with modern marketing tools to foster economic resilience and long-term sustainability.