Korea International Cooperation Agency provides US$ 7.6 million to empower Palestine Refugee Youth in UNRWA Vocational and Technical Training Centres

04 October 2024

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has signed a project agreement with UNRWA providing US$ 7.6 million in 2024-2026 to support Palestine Refugee youth, including people with disabilities, to actively participate in the West Bank labour market, especially in the digital and new technology sector.

The three-year project aligns with KOICA’s priority to support Palestine by using youth employment programmes to develop human resources and to help fragile groups as a means of peacebuilding. The project aims to make available for all Palestine Refugee youth in the West Bank appropriate and relevant vocational and technical training in a conducive learning environment. Palestine Refugee youth studying at three UNRWA vocational training centres in the West Bank will receive increased access and support for economic participation through the UNRWA Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) programme.

Reiterating UNRWA’s appreciation for the approval of the grant support from KOICA, Director of Partnerships Karim Amer said: “Amid the rapidly deteriorating socioeconomic situation in the West Bank and the increasing lack of access for Palestine Refugee youth to livelihood opportunities, this generous support from KOICA will bring hope to the Palestine Refugee community by increasing youth economic participation through the robust UNRWA TVET programme.

Explaining the decision of KOICA to collaborate with UNRWA through a multilateral development cooperation project to empower Palestine refugee youth through vocational and technical training, Minjong Kim, Country Director of KOICA Palestine Office, said: “KOICA believes that educating the future generation of Palestine is essential to achieve economic growth and a resilient society. We are implementing various technical and vocational education projects across Palestine and partnering with UNRWA in this context. I’m pleased to see our new partnership contribute to providing quality education.”

The Republic of Korea is a steadfast and greatly valued partner of UNRWA. Apart from the KOICA project grant, the Government of Korea provided more than US$ 12.5 million in financial contributions since beginning of 2024 in support of the human development and emergency life-saving humanitarian assistance provided by UNRWA to Palestine Refugees across the Middle East.