Partners Convene in Brussels for EPISODE: Advancing Digital and Social Entrepreneurship in Palestine
Brussels, Belgium – January 24, 2025 – The EPISODE project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme – KA2 Capacity Building in the VET sector, achieved a significant milestone as project partners convened in Brussels for a two-day meeting on January 23-24. Representatives from UNIMED, ALL DIGITAL, An-Najah National University (ANNU), Birzeit University (BZU), and BuildPalestine gathered to reflect on the project’s progress, share updates, and strategically plan the concluding phase of the initiative, set to end in June 2025.
The meeting featured a productive meeting with the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), where partners presented key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. The EPISODE team showcased the pilot implementation of the Digital Social Entrepreneurship course and discussed strategies for long-term sustainability and broader dissemination to maximize the project’s impact. This was a unique opportunity, as EPISODE partners could visit EACEA and be welcomed there by EACEA staff members with key roles in the programme implementation.
Empowering Future Changemakers in Palestine
EPISODE’s innovative curriculum is designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs, educators, and early-stage startups with the digital skills and tools necessary to tackle societal challenges and create scalable, impactful solutions. The blended learning approach incorporates cutting-edge technologies and hands-on mentorship, fostering resilience and growth within Palestine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Digital Social Entrepreneurship course, which has already engaged more than 50 participants from both BZU and ANNU, has completed foundational modules and is on track to conclude by March 2025. Initial feedback has highlighted high levels of engagement and satisfaction among participants, underscoring the program’s relevance and impact.
Key Outcomes of the Meeting
- Monitoring and Evaluation:
Both BZU and ANNU have taken the lead in monitoring and evaluating the course implementation, ensuring it aligns with participants’ needs and objectives. The universities will provide ongoing feedback to fine-tune the curriculum and enhance its delivery. - Dissemination and Outreach:
Plans for dissemination events are underway, including active participation in ALL DIGITAL Weeks (March 17–April 4, 2025) and Open Education Week (March 3–7, 2025). These events will showcase the achievements of EPISODE and advocate for the adoption of its curriculum by institutions across the region. - Sustainability:
The partners explored strategies to ensure the course remains accessible and impactful beyond the project’s conclusion. Discussions focused on integrating the course into educational institutions and empowering educators, trainers, and entrepreneurs to continue driving social impact.
Looking Ahead
As EPISODE enters its final phase, the consortium is committed to amplifying its achievements through strategic outreach and collaborative efforts. The upcoming dissemination activities will celebrate the project’s successes while paving the way for broader adoption of its tools, methodologies, and innovative approaches.