The Association of Palestinian Local Authorities (APLA) held a discussion session to review the draft operational manual for the Women’s Business Incubator in Qibya. The session was presented by Dr. Bashir Shaheen, the consultant responsible for preparing the operational manual, and was attended by representatives from Qibya Village Council, Ruwwad Foundation, and Makani Incubator.

During the session, participants reviewed and discussed the draft operational manual, the incubator’s management plan, and its operational mechanisms to ensure its readiness and launch within a clear and sustainable institutional framework. The session also included discussions on several proposals aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the incubator’s management and achieving its objectives in supporting women’s entrepreneurship and promoting women’s economic empowerment at the local level.

The session comes within the framework of APLA’s efforts to strengthen the capacities of Local Government Units (LGUs) in developing sustainable development projects by providing the necessary technical, financial, and institutional support for managing local economic development initiatives with a community impact. The incubator also seeks to provide a supportive environment for women by nurturing start-up businesses, developing entrepreneurial skills, and contributing to women’s empowerment.

The Women’s Business Incubator in Qibya is one of the pioneering projects implemented by APLA under the programme "Empowering LGUs through Local Economic Development Grants", funded by the French Consulate General in Jerusalem. The programme aims to enhance the capacities of LGUs through competitive grants supporting Category “C” municipalities and village councils in implementing projects and initiatives in the fields of local economic development, environmental protection, women’s empowerment, job creation, and cultural heritage preservation.