Gaza City — In a war-ravaged city where rubble is the most abundant resource, two sisters have turned destruction into opportunity. Amal and Layla Al-Masri, 16 and 18, won the Grand Prize at the International Youth Eco-Innovation Challenge in Berlin this week for their startup, Rubble Reborn, which converts demolition waste into high-strength, low-cost bricks.
Their process uses a patented low-energy kiln to stabilize and bind the debris, producing bricks that meet Palestinian building codes. Each batch replaces 1.2 tonnes of virgin materials, cutting carbon emissions by 35%. The sisters began experimenting in their family’s backyard after Israeli airstrikes in May 2024 leveled entire neighborhoods, leaving 1.8 million tons of concrete and steel in their wake.
| Material | Traditional Brick | Rubble Reborn Brick |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0.25 per brick | $0.18 per brick |
| CO₂ Emissions | 0.4 kg per brick | 0.26 kg per brick |
| Durability | 25 years | 30 years |
The International Youth Eco-Innovation Challenge, hosted by the UN Environment Programme, selected Rubble Reborn from 1,200 entries across 89 countries. The prize includes $100,000 in seed funding and a six-month accelerator program with Siemens Energy.
Key Points
- ✅ Sisters Amal (16) and Layla (18) won the International Youth Eco-Innovation Challenge
- ⚡ Rubble Reborn recycles 50 tonnes of war debris monthly into bricks
- 💡 Their bricks cut CO₂ emissions by 35% and cost 28% less than traditional bricks
"We wanted to show that even in the hardest places, we can build something good," said Layla Al-Masri. Their factory, operating in a repurposed bomb shelter, employs 12 local workers, including three displaced families. So far, they’ve produced 15,000 bricks used in rebuilding two schools and five homes in northern Gaza.
📋 By The Numbers
- 1.8 million tonnes — War rubble generated in Gaza since 2021
- 1,200 entries — Submitted to the International Youth Eco-Innovation Challenge
- $100,000 — Prize money awarded to Rubble Reborn
Israeli authorities have blocked cement imports into Gaza since 2021, citing dual-use concerns, leaving residents to rely on smuggled or repurposed materials. Rubble Reborn’s bricks offer a legal alternative. "We worked with civil engineers to ensure our bricks meet Israeli standards," Amal said. "We’re not breaking any laws—we’re solving a problem."
💡 Pro Tip
Local governments in conflict zones should fast-track certification for low-cost, eco-friendly building materials made from war debris to accelerate reconstruction while reducing environmental harm.
The sisters now plan to scale up production to 200 tonnes monthly and expand into the West Bank. They’re also training 50 displaced women in brick-making to provide stable incomes. "This isn’t just about bricks," Layla said. "It’s about giving people a way to rebuild their lives."
- First — Amal and Layla began experiments in October 2024 using debris from a demolished apartment block.
- Second — By March 2025, they secured a $20,000 grant from the Qatar Charity to build a prototype kiln.
- Third — In June 2025, they registered Rubble Reborn as a formal business with the Palestinian Authority.
Their innovation comes as Gaza’s reconstruction stalls due to funding shortages and import restrictions. The UN estimates $40 billion is needed to rebuild what war has destroyed since 2021, but less than 2% has been funded. Rubble Reborn’s bricks could reduce that bill by cutting the need for imported materials.
- 📊 Gaza’s war debris could meet 40% of its annual brick demand if fully recycled
- 🔍 Smuggling networks for cement and steel have flourished, but Rubble Reborn offers a transparent alternative
- ⚠️ Without international funding for scaling, their impact remains limited to small-scale projects
The International Labour Organization reports Gaza’s youth unemployment stands at 75%. Rubble Reborn now employs 12 people, with plans to hire 50 more in the next 12 months. "We’re not just making bricks," Amal said. "We’re making jobs."
