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 much more modern and comfortable environment, which my customers enjoy. ” The training also introduced him to key business strategies that reshaped his approach to maintaining a business. “Before this training, since raw materials were cheap, I was selling my products at a lower price, ” he noted. “The training helped me to realize that I can increase profits by increasing the cost of my products, regardless of the low cost of raw materials, ” he added. “This helped me a lot in increasing my profit. ” Dilbreen further emphasized improvements in professionalism and outreach. “I learned how to work more professionally with customers, employees, and suppliers, ” he said. “I also learned how to attract customers through marketing instead of just waiting for them to come in. ” By applying these lessons, particularly through social media promotion, Dilbreen has seen a steady increase in customers and orders. “Many customers have complimented the improvements, and now people enjoy coming in to sit and enjoy our products. ” This growth has had a direct impact on his family’s wellbeing. With increased income and a more stable business, Dilbreen is better able to meet household needs and plan for the future. Looking ahead, he aims to expand his shop and diversify his offerings. “My general plan now is to increase the size of my business and offer more products, ” he said. “Success for me is to have a great product people enjoy and full customer satisfaction. ” While Dilbreen focused on enhancing an existing business, Gulistan represents a new generation of entrepreneurs building their enterprises from the ground up. A 26-year-old IT university graduate from the Sharya Township host community, she lives in a household of ten members and has long aspired to open her own stationary business. Before joining the program, financial and resource constraints limited her ability to move forward. “I had a very old and unreliable laptop and was not able to afford a laminator, heat pressing machine, copy machine, and other items I needed, ” she explained. “Although I wanted to open a stationary business, I did not have the tools. ” Through the training and subsequent support, Gulistan received a new laptop, a laminator, a heat pressing machine, a copy machine, and products that allowed her to launch her business. “Now, since the training and the items I received, I am able to run my own business in a professional way, ” she said. Located near a school, her shop provides photocopying, heat pressing, laminating, and other services and products that are in high demand, positioning her business for steady growth. Beyond equipment, the training provided Gulistan with essential knowledge in business management and customer engagement. “The most important thing I learned is general business management and how to improve customer relations and bring in more customers, ” she said. She has already begun applying these skills by promoting her services through local communication channels. “I am part of several local WhatsApp groups and use them to advertise and promote my business, but I plan on creating TikTok and Instagram accounts, as these social media apps are popular in Kurdistan, ” she added. “These platforms will be important to promote my business more professionally. ” For Gulistan, the impact of the program extends beyond income generation. It has fundamentally changed her sense of independence and self-reliance. “I love to be self-sufficient and depend on myself, ” she said. “Opening and running my own business is empowering because I do not need to depend on my family or ask them for money. ” When asked what advice they would give to those who are interested in starting their own businesses but feel hesitant, Dilbreen and Gulistan both shared their perspectives. Dilbreen emphasized the importance of taking risks and learning from experience, particularly for others in similar situations. “Many people may be scared to start a business because it is something they have not done before, ” he said. “But if you do not try, you will not know if you will be successful, so it is worth the risk. ” Gulistan also shared her perspective on opening and managing a business. She highlighted the importance of confidence and persistence, particularly for women entrepreneurs. “I advise people who want to own their own business to believe in themselves, ” she said. “It is important, especially for women, to be self-sufficient and professional in whatever business they are interested in pursuing. ” Both Dilbreen and Gulistan emphasized the critical role of the training and support they received. Reflecting on his experience, Dilbreen noted, “I would really like to thank UNIDO for this wonderful opportunity. This support is helping not only individuals who took this course, but also our community by providing new products and services. ” Similarly, Gulistan expressed hope for the future of the program and her community. “The training from UNIDO was excellent, ” she said. “I hope that this type of training continues and gives others an opportunity to make their dreams come true. ” Their stories demonstrate how the EDP program, implemented by UNIDO and funded by the Government of Japan, is creating meaningful opportunities for both internally displaced persons and host community members in Sharya Township. By combining skills development with access to essential equipment, the program enabled participants to translate knowledge into practical business success. Importantly, it promotes equal opportunities for both men and women to participate in and benefit from economic activities. Through supporting top performing participants with the resources needed to grow their businesses, the program is fostering sustainable livelihoods, strengthening local markets, and contributing to a more inclusive and resilient economic future.

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