Young Developers for Social Change
Last June, TYO joined forces with STEMpire to inspire the youth in Palestine to develop digital solutions for pressing issues in mental health, education, and entrepreneurship. The 3-day MindLink Hackathon, held at our Innovation Hub, brought together 30 Palestinian youth from different backgrounds to discuss ideas that could bring real positive and sustainable change. The two winning teams are now receiving training and mentoring to refine and advance their projects, before launching day in October.
“The collaboration between the participants was extraordinary. They showcased their talents and demonstrated that with the right tools, the youth of Palestine are capable of driving meaningful change,” Hend Jarrar, Entrepreneurship Programs Manager at TYO.
“Their ability to innovate, even in the face of challenges, has been inspiring. They display so much creativity and passion, and they are already making a difference,” Mona Demaidi, founder of STEMpire.
Collaboration & Innovation in Challenging Times
Youth in Palestine confront numerous challenges in their daily lives and lack opportunities for relevant education, stable employment, psychosocial support, and community leadership. Particularly in Nablus, youth have lived through numerous crises over the last few years, and the psychological pressure they endure takes away from their future. But where resources are scarce, technology serves as a scalable means to bridge this gap and holds the potential to transform the lives of youth and their communities.
That was the motivation behind the MindLink Hackathon. “We thought ‘How can we make the local youth part of the solution? How can we have them leading the process, thinking critically and creatively to fix the issues and not being imposed solutions?” Mona reflected.
In the context of heightened tensions and instability across the country, this initiative put a special emphasis on mental health, focusing the discussions on its importance for educational and entrepreneurial success. The participants were incredibly motivated and the energy in the room was inspiring. “We were gathered in the Hub working together to improve things, despite all the challenges outside that we cannot control. It was a true lesson in resilience,” Mona reflected.
In the end, all six teams developed prototypes to tackle diverse issues in our community – there were: a mental health app designed to offer support in areas with limited access to services; educational platforms tailored to the needs of Palestinian students; and tools to help local business owners and entrepreneurs navigate through economic challenges. “We could see the positive impact immediately. The Hackathon facilitated connections between professionals in different fields, and fostered a collaborative environment where ideas were visibly flourishing,” TYO’s Entrepreneurship Program Manager, Hend, observed.
The Winning Teams
Among the projects developed during the Hackathon, two stood out: Afya and Sandbag.
Afya is an app that connects small-scale organic farmers directly with consumers. The idea came from Malek, who just recently returned from a time abroad, and observed the struggles faced by small farmers in his hometown, Beit Furiq. “We wanted to give farmers the power to reach customers directly, empowering rural communities and ensuring that organic products thrive in Palestine,” Malek shared his vision. The team’s innovative approach addresses both economic and health challenges, providing a digital bridge between producers and consumers, increasing market access for local farmers and raising awareness about the health benefits of organic products.
And Sandbag is a virtual platform designed by three female entrepreneurs to make education in Palestine more engaging and inclusive. Dana, one of the developers shared their vision: “We believe in creating a tool that not only keeps students engaged but also fosters a more connected learning environment.” The app helps teachers come up with more interactive in-class activities and also allows parents to track their children’s progress. Their ultimate goal is to enhance students’ focus, well-being, and passion for learning, contributing to a positive shift in education.
Now, these young entrepreneurs are working closely with mentors at TYO and STEMpire to refine their projects, ensuring sustainability and long-term impact. The mentorship is a vital component of TYO’s program, as it helps youth turn their ideas into actionable solutions that can drive real change. TYO’s programs put youth at the forefront of the discussion but also empower them with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to make informed decisions about their futures and drive economic development for themselves and their communities. As Malek said, “We’re not waiting for change to happen to us; we’re building it ourselves.”
