Trade Her Story
From handmade in Jerusalem to sold worldwide: AI branding, e-commerce, export and shipping training for 25 to 30 women artisans.
- Status
- Ongoing
- Years
- 2026–27
- Category
- Inclusion & empowerment
- Funded by
- Government of Canada
25–30
women entrepreneurs
19
group sessions of four hours
76
hours of group training
7–9
hours of 1:1 support each
About this project
Trade Her Story advances the economic empowerment of 25 to 30 Palestinian women entrepreneurs and artisans in East Jerusalem by strengthening their capacity to access and compete in international markets. Participants receive practical training, mentorship and technical support to turn their handmade businesses into export-ready enterprises, using digital tools, AI applications, business formalization, export compliance and international market links.
The program runs online and in Arabic from 26 October 2026 to 28 February 2027: 19 group sessions of four hours each (76 training hours), plus 7 to 9 hours of 1:1 support for every participant. Each woman builds her brand with AI tools, opens a live online store, formalizes her business, learns the export paperwork, ships a first international order and tells her story to the world.
Support alongside the sessions
- 2 to 3 hours of 1:1 technical support per participant to build and launch her online store
- 5 to 6 hours of 1:1 business coaching per participant
Key dates
- 26 October 2026: first session
- 15 December 2026: online stores ready
- 20 January 2027: last group session, international orders open
- 28 February 2027: program ends
Handcrafted in Jerusalem. Ready for the world.
Questions about the program: tradeherstory@jhfoundry.org
Program journey
26 Oct – 16 Nov
Step 1: AI tools for your brand
7 workshops: brand identity, product photography, product video, bilingual copywriting and social media content, all with AI tools.
18 – 25 Nov
Step 2: Selling online
3 sessions: how online marketplaces work, Amazon Handmade and Etsy compared, listings and pricing.
2 – 7 Dec
Step 3: Business formalization
2 clinics: registering the business, issuing receipts and annual reporting, the legal foundation for selling and exporting.
9 – 16 Dec
Step 4: Export documentation
3 sessions: certificate of origin, "Handcrafted in Jerusalem" labelling, HS codes, customs declarations and hands-on practice.
11 – 20 Jan
Step 5: Shipping and logistics
4 sessions: packaging and labels, customs and courier integration, returns and international payments, and a simulated real shipment.
Showcase
Step 6: Your story, told to the world
A documentary-style story video, short story videos and a 30-day social media campaign (filming is optional).
Expected results
- A cohort of 25 to 30 women entrepreneurs, each with a baseline profile, a product portfolio and a tailored learning path
- An AI-enhanced product portfolio for every participant, with bilingual product descriptions ready for platform upload
- 25 to 30 live international online stores, fully set up and ready to receive orders
- Practical knowledge of business registration and receipt issuing, the legal foundation for selling and exporting
- Working knowledge of export documents, including certificates of origin and "Handcrafted in Jerusalem" labelling
- A working relationship with an international shipping partner, so each woman can process orders, produce customs documents and receive cross-border payments
- A "Handcrafted in Jerusalem" digital brand identity, story videos and an international campaign that bring visitors to participants' stores
Funded by
Government of Canada
