Supporting youth entrepreneurship through small scale micro-financing and enhancing managerial skills in Sinjar district

Donar: Expertise France 

As part of ongoing efforts to support economic recovery and promote social stability in Sinjar District, the Iraqi Institution for Development (IID) implemented a specialized project aimed at supporting youth entrepreneurship through small-scale micro-financing and managerial skills development. The project targeted young people aged 21–29, ensuring balanced participation of 8 young women and 7 young men.

The initiative was designed in response to the significant economic and social challenges facing youth in Sinjar following years of displacement and instability. It focused on empowering young people to establish income-generating small businesses, enabling them to improve their livelihoods and strengthen self-reliance.

The project began with community sensitization and a local labor market assessment. An online application form was then launched through social media platforms, attracting more than 600 applicants from Sinjar. Applications were reviewed through a transparent and structured scoring mechanism, followed by individual interviews to assess business feasibility and vulnerability criteria. Ultimately, 15 beneficiaries were selected based on sustainability, relevance, and demonstrated need.

To ensure strong foundations for business success, the project delivered eight specialized training sessions covering small business management, accounting systems, market studies, marketing strategies, risk management, financial planning, customer communication skills, and personal business development. Post-training evaluations indicated a significant improvement in beneficiaries’ managerial and entrepreneurial capacities, enhancing the sustainability prospects of their businesses.

Upon completion of the training phase, formal grant agreements were signed with beneficiaries. Each participant received a total of USD 1,830, disbursed in two installments under a documented and verified distribution process. These micro-grants enabled the launch of diverse businesses, including commercial, service-oriented, and agriculture-related activities aligned with local market needs.

To ensure sustainability, the Monitoring and Evaluation team conducted regular field visits to track progress, provide technical and operational mentoring, measure performance indicators, and gather beneficiary feedback. Complaint and feedback mechanisms were also established to maintain transparency and accountability. Follow-up results confirmed that all supported businesses were operational and generating income.

Beyond economic impact, the project contributed to strengthening social cohesion by organizing periodic meetings among beneficiaries to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and encourage collaborative initiatives. Particular emphasis was placed on supporting women-led entrepreneurship and promoting inclusive participation within the local community.

The project successfully achieved the following results:

- Creation of sustainable income opportunities for 15 young women and men.
- Enhanced business development and management skills among beneficiaries.
- Support for women-oriented economic initiatives and household-level enterprises.
- Strengthened social cohesion through shared activities and information exchange.

This intervention demonstrates a practical model linking economic empowerment with community stabilization, highlighting how investing in youth entrepreneurship can serve as an effective pathway toward recovery, resilience, and long-term social integration in post-conflict environments.