Iraq-Resilience building through employment generation in crisis affected communities of Iraq (Phase IV)

completed

In total, around 6 million people in Iraq were considered internally displaced by the rise of the Islamic State (IS) from 2014 onwards. Since September 2017, a large proportion of the internally displaced population, as well as some of the refugees from abroad, have begun to return. However, the high influx into the liberated areas is putting a strain on the economic and socio-economic situation of these regions. Tensions between internally displaced persons, returnees and residents are correspondingly high, with competition for employment and earning opportunities playing a particularly critical role. Due to the severe lack of employment opportunities, there will continue to be a high need for support and many Iraqi internally displaced persons and returnees will be dependent on support for the foreseeable future. The aim of the FC measure is to create short, medium and long-term income opportunities for internally displaced persons, returnees and needy residents in the liberated areas in Iraq. The measures are being implemented in the governorates of Anbar, Diyala, Nineveh and Salah-al-Din. The project focuses on classic cash-for-work measures for short-term income generation. This involves the employment-intensive rehabilitation of smaller infrastructure and private houses as well as municipal infrastructure. In addition, vocational training and job placements are carried out through on-the-job training. This should lead to more sustainable employment effects and strengthen social cohesion and resilience among the population overall. The project also supports sole proprietors or SMEs through grants for the replacement of destroyed business equipment and material goods (asset replacement). Young entrepreneurs are also supported through mentoring and management training.