Iraq: From Skills to Success: Empowering Entrepreneurs in Sharya Township through UNIDO Support

Country: Iraq Source: UNIDO In Sharya Township in the Duhok Governorate of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, entrepreneurship is becoming an increasingly important pathway for both internally displaced persons and host community members seeking to rebuild their livelihoods. Through the Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and funded by the Government of Japan, participants are gaining not only practical business skills but also the tools needed to turn their ambitions into sustainable sources of income. Among the top supported startups of UNIDO’s EDP training program are Dilbreen Khalid Alyas and Gulistan Shakir Yazdeen, whose journeys highlight the transformative impact of combining training with targeted equipment support. For Dilbreen, a 29-year-old entrepreneur originally from Sinjar, he and his family have been displaced since 2014. The program provided an opportunity to strengthen and expand his already existing business. Living in Sharya Township with his family of five, he has been managing a bakery, Dasin Sweets, to help support his household. Despite having an established customer base, he faced limitations that affected the growth and appeal of his business. “My biggest challenge was operating in an older building that was not very appealing,” he explained. “The tables and chairs were old and not presentable, so customers did not want to come in and sit down.” Through the program, Dilbreen received essential equipment, including a new refrigerated showcase for customers to see his products. He also received new tables and chairs, and even a popcorn machine, along with additional items that significantly improved his shop environment. “Now my business looks and feels new,” he said. “All of these materials have given my business a muc...

Original source: Relief Web