7 July 2021, Hiroshima, Japan - On 5 July 2021, UNITAR's Division for Prosperity launched a training programme for Iraqi youth entrepreneurs and is seeking applications from enthusiastic and motivated candidates. The “COVID-19 Response and Recovery Programme: Mobilising Resilient Entrepreneurs to Address Food Insecurity, Public Health, and Unemployment – For Youth in Iraq” is part of UNITAR’s commitment to aid Iraq’s recovery from COVID-19. One hundred and fifty young entrepreneurs and innovators will learn how to create new businesses or scale existing businesses that address the numerous challenges created by the pandemic, such as food insecurity, public health, and unemployment. The programme is open to Iraqi youth innovators and social/commercial entrepreneurs, aged between 18-40.

Enthusiastic and motivated candidates from the public, private, academia, media, and civic sectors, especially women, with deep interest and experience in business and entrepreneurship are strongly encouraged to apply. Fluency in English and access to the internet are needed to participate effectively in the programme, along with a strong desire to learn by doing.

This initiative will run in two phases, both of which include self-paced online courses and webinars. Participants will also work on their own projects. The first phase, open to 150 selected applicants, focuses on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and innovation. Twenty-five top performers will then continue to the second phase, in which they will further develop into leadership skills, strategy, and innovation.

To complete the programme, participants will work on capstone projects to create a business model and pitch. The young entrepreneurs will also learn how to use tools like Business Model Canvas and Lean Canvas to create viable solutions to social issues through ideation, experimentation, and prototyping.

Participants will also receive regular guidance and feedback from coaches and successful entrepreneurs from Iraq and around the world.

The programme uses design thinking, contemporary leadership, and management practices to enable entrepreneurs to solve challenges and mitigate the risks that come with creating a business in Iraq.

Currently, around 60 percent of Iraq’s population is under the age of 25, and youth entrepreneurship can be a promising source of revenue and growth for the nation. Building their own business has the potential to be a valuable source of income for socio-economically disadvantaged youth (especially women) who cannot find formal employment or are prohibited from doing so. Supporting entrepreneurs in the present climate is especially meaningful because now more than ever, small businesses are unlikely to survive beyond infancy.