Burqin is a Palestinian municipality located southwest of Jenin in the West Bank. Its Women’s Club is well known in the area, as it has become a vital economic and social hub for the community, providing opportunities for women to participate in agricultural production and income generation.
This club was founded in 2005 by a group of 15 women who started their activity in a small rented room. They began to produce and market their own food, while supporting each other to develop their professional skills.
In 2008, the Club moved to a larger and more suitable space, which allowed them to expand their activities and services. Since then, this club has continued to grow and achieve decisive achievements for these women and, consequently, for the local economy of Burqin. However, the current context, marked by the conflict in the region, has forced these women to move again and give up this space to the local Health Directorate. Now, they continue their activity with determination, but they do so from a smaller and less suitable place.
The promotion of the agreement
This Women’s Club has experienced a decisive boost by participating in the agreement that we have been developing in this region since 2023, in collaboration with our local partners Agricultural Development Association (PARC) and Rural Women’s Development Society (RWDS), and with funding from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
As a result, the women in this Club have been able to expand their operations and improve their livelihoods. With the aim of promoting sustainable agriculture and supporting female employment, the women of Burqin are taking advantage of this opportunity to strengthen their economic activities and reduce their operating costs.
One of the most decisive contributions made within the framework of the agreement has been the installation of solar panels at the Club. In addition, the Club has been equipped with modern food processing machines (ovens, mills, etc.) that now operate thanks to the energy produced by these panels, with the consequent savings and sustainable approach that this entails. In this way, these women are not only managing to increase their production capacity, but are also exploring new business opportunities related to the preparation and packaging of thyme and pickles for sale, for example.
In addition, thanks to this initiative, these women have also received seedlings of various vegetables, such as eggplants, cucumbers and peppers, through which they can plant and care for their own crops to produce pickles and other foods for local sale. This push is proving decisive in enabling these women to participate directly in agricultural production, becoming more self-sufficient and capable of managing their own businesses.
School canteen management
The Burqin Women’s Club has been diversifying its sources of income over the years, offering multiple opportunities for its members to generate income. One of the Club’s most successful initiatives is the management of school canteens.
The women prepare food, including cakes, snacks and drinks, which they sell in six school canteens. These foods are either homemade, baked by the women themselves or purchased from local suppliers. The school canteen business provides the women with a reliable and consistent source of income, while also allowing them to engage with the local community.
A model of success
The Burqin Women’s Club is a clear example of how targeted support from an initiative like our partnership, in this case, can empower women and promote sustainable economic growth in rural communities. By focusing on renewable energy, agricultural production and gender equality, the initiative has enabled women in Burqin to expand their businesses, reduce their operating costs and have greater control over their economic future.
Despite the challenges they face, including limited access to resources and displacement, the women of Burqin continue to thrive. With continued support and investment in their cooperative, they have the potential to not only improve their own lives, but also contribute to the broader goals of sustainable development in Palestine. The success of the Burqin Women’s Club demonstrates the transformative power of grassroots initiatives and the importance of empowering women through economic and professional growth opportunities.
