Pal Life, White Space, Concept Hub, Computer Land, and Al-Salam.

In a context where electricity shortages, unstable internet, and repeated displacement have made working remotely extremely difficult, access to reliable digital infrastructure has become essential for freelancers, students, and tech professionals in Gaza. Since mid-2025, Mercy Corps, through Gaza Sky Geeks (GSG) programme and with the support of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the “Sustainable Development of the Palestinian Economy (SPEC)” programme, has supported five coworking spaces across Gaza to help sustain access to online work, learning, and collaboration. 

The supported spaces: Pal Life, ATYAF, Concept Hub, Computer Land, and Al-Salam, serve as important community hubs where individuals can access reliable electricity, internet connectivity, and a professional environment to work and learn. Through this initiative, GSG provides operational support to these spaces, helping cover essential costs such as rent, solar energy systems, internet upgrades, and necessary equipment. These investments allow the spaces to remain accessible for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and students seeking opportunities in the digital economy. 

The impact has been significant; monthly user fees decreased by 25 percent, reducing the average membership cost from 600 NIS to 450 NIS per month, the capacity of the spaces increased by 20 percent, allowing more users to work simultaneously, while active users increased by 50 percent, improvements in connectivity increased internet bandwidth by 30 percent, and operating hours expanded by 22 percent, giving users greater flexibility to work. 

The support has also contributed to improving inclusion for women in the tech ecosystem. Before the intervention, none of the supported spaces had dedicated or women friendly areas. Today, two of the five spaces provide women friendly zones, creating safer and more accessible environments that encourage greater participation of women in Gaza’s digital sector. 

 

The female-only zone at AlSalam coworking space, providing a dedicated workspace for women | Deir Al Balah, November 2025, Mercy Corps. 

For the owners of these spaces, the support has been transformative. Mohammed Buhaisy, founder of Al-Salam Coworking Space, explains: 

“From the very beginning of my journey in establishing Al-Salam Coworking Space during the war, Gaza Sky Geeks has been my main source of inspiration and motivation. During a previous training with GSG, I was truly influenced by your mission and vision to help individuals find sustainable sources of income that enable them to live with dignity and to strengthen Palestine’s technological and economic sectors.” 

Similarly, Mohammad Halawa, founder of Concept Hub, highlights the role of the space in enabling freelancers to maintain their work. 

“Concept Hub has become a digital lifeline. In an environment where basic infrastructure is limited, stable electricity and reliable internet removed the constant fear of losing connection during meetings. This gave freelancers greater confidence and job security while allowing us to offer services at an affordable cost suitable for the current conditions.” 

For many users, these spaces provide more than just a place to work. They offer stability and a chance to rebuild professional lives. 

For example, Qusai, a 30-year old back-end developer, experienced repeated displacement after his family’s home in Gaza City was destroyed during the war. After months of instability and unreliable internet, he began using a GSG supported coworking space in early 2025. 

“After the war started, I stopped working for about seven months. We spent all of our time trying to get water, food, and basic supplies. It was a full-time job just to survive,” he recalls. 

Today, Qusai walks nearly 45 minutes each day to reach the space, where he now works six days a week. 

“Without this place, I do not think I could meet the expectations of my employer. My job would become much harder,” he says. 

As for Saleem, founder of Yafa Solutions, access to the Al-Salam Coworking Space helped him restart his company after the war forced it to close. His company focuses on creating employment opportunities for entry level developers in Gaza. When his employees reached out months later, they were not asking for aid but for the opportunity to work again. 

“They were not asking for charity. They were asking to get back to work,” he says. 

Access to a reliable workspace with electricity and internet allowed Saleem to restart operations and support his team again. 

“I tell my clients and the people here: you saved my family’s life,” he says. “Both the guys at Al-Salam Coworking Space and the clients. And it wasn’t charity. We were producing value and quality for them. Access to a good, affordable coworking space literally saved 27 members of my family.” 

Through initiatives like this, Gaza Sky Geeks continues to support the resilience of Gaza’s digital sector by ensuring that freelancers, entrepreneurs, and students have access to safe spaces where they can learn, collaborate, and connect with opportunities in the global economy. Building on the success of the five supported spaces this year, GSG plans to expand support to additional coworking spaces in the coming year, strengthening the ecosystem that enables Palestinian talent to work and innovate despite ongoing challenges.