frise_nosprojet_uk

Micro and Small Enterprise support programme in the rural sector

 

kurdistan_tpe  Sector: Support to Small Enterprises
Location: Dohuk Province, Kurdistan, Iraq
Local partner: Dohuk International School
Start of partnership: 2008

 

Context and Considerations

Since 2003, over 2 million Iraqis have fled their homes because of the insecure and violent situation. Many of these “internally displaced persons” have settled in the autonomous Kurdistan region, in northern Iraq. Their social and professional integration is difficult. This rural region has immense agricultural potential, but deprived of agrarian skills, the refugees have difficulties integrating the local labour market. On the contrary, Kurdish populations in the Dohuk province make a living from agriculture and possess the necessary skills.

Solution Proposed

 IECD, with the support of the French Ministry of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Joint Development, has partnered with Dohuk’s International School, situated in Kurdistan, Iraq, in order to implement an economic development programme in the rural sector. The objective is to develop employment opportunities for the internally displaced individuals as well as for the original inhabitants of the region. The project aims at fostering initiatives for the villages’ development.

In order to promote local agricultural development, the project relies on the village committees’ mobilization and addresses itself directly to the region’s and inhabitants through 3 main activities:

- Rehabilitating local infrastructures, buying equipment and preparing agricultural fields;

- Offering trainings in 8 villages in agricultural production techniques and rural business management,;

- Offering personalized monitoring in 3 pilot villages for individuals who wish to create or strengthen an agricultural business. This is done by supplying the necessary production tools or drafting commercial plans.

Impact and Results

The project started in the spring of 2009 in 3 pilot villages: the necessary equipment is available and functional. The first season, during which several practical trainings have been organised, is about to end. 

 During the next 3 years, the project will benefit at least 800 persons and their families in 8 Kurdish villages in northern Iraq. The refugee families are progressively integrating the Kurdish civil society. They are contributing to the creation of economic activities which will generate employment opportunities.