The semi-autonomous region in the north of Iraq has seen over 2.5 million Syrian and Kurdish people displaced within its borders as a result of recent wars. Mosul, federal Iraq's third-largest city, home to Kurds and Arabs, was recently recaptured from the Islamic State, which as a result of their violence and raids, more than 500,000 Iraqis fled the city and are now slowly returning. Young people are at risk of becoming radicalised due to the presence of the Islamic State and lack of job or educational opportunities. SPARK’s programmes in federal Iraq and Kurdistan Region of Iraq, support youth from all over the country to access higher and vocational education and developing SMEs, to have better economic inclusion and rebuild their conflict-affected and war-torn communities.
Programmes in this location
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active programmeAccess to Education for Employment
SPARK, the Islamic Development Bank and the Sheikh Abdullah Al Nouri Charity Society support Syrian youth in Syrian Interim Government…
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![https://spark.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IMG_6867-e1572023132493.jpg]()
active programmeHigher Education Services (HES)
SPARK is the largest provider of scholarships for Syrian refugees in the Middle East. The HES programme started by responding…
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![https://spark.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2018-06-23_Raneem-Faisal-Teenah-textile-company-Irbid-JO_d1_0025-1-scaled-e1580389097303.jpg]()
active programmeJobs and Perspectives
Finding a stable job or starting a business is a huge challenge for young people in the Middle East, especially…
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active programmeNetworks of Change (NoC)
Networks of Change (NoC) builds trust and resilience of youth in the Kurdistan Region in Iraq. Though intensive training, awareness…
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active programmeTadamon
The Tadamon programme, supported by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) aims to contribute to the immediate and medium-term efforts to…
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![https://spark.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021_Mohammed_Mamoun_IsDB_Jordan_01-1-scaled.jpg]()
active programmeTech for Inclusivity
With a grant from Google.org, SPARK and its local partners will boost the digital skills of refugees in Lebanon, Iraq…
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![https://spark.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/2018-06-27_Midya-Qasim-Qasim-Syrian-Business-Management-Bayan-Uni-Erbil-KRI_0248-e1571139031347.jpg]()
inactive programmeBoosting Your Beliefs (BYB)
Creating alternative narratives for youth amidst calls for extremism and radicalisation lies at the core of the BYB programme. Young…
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![https://spark.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IMG_6729-e1571754780600.jpg]()
inactive programmeDeradicalisation, Training, Teachers (DTT)
With a war being fought against so called Islamic State just miles away, young people living in Erbil and Halabja,…
“We use Ai technology to the max”
Three young Iraqis founded the country's first agritech startup. The country's ailing date palm industry is being revitalised through the company's use of Ai technology to offer a variety of palm tree care services.
- Location
- Iraq
- Services
- SME Coaching
“To the kids, I’m some sort of hero!”
Awjalan Fatimi, a 24-year-old IT graduate, lives in Darashakran refugee camp, near Erbil. He founded the camp's first-ever gaming centre, receiving 40-80 keen, young gamers per day. The centre provides a safe place for young people to meet, relax and game.
- Location
- Iraq
- Services
- Scholarships
“Successful online campaigns put my business on the map”
Huda Hassan is an online campaigner and business student who started a clothing brand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her brand, Jamanaa, is turning the Kurdish cultural identity into an international trend. With her brand, Jamana, she is building a supportive ecosystem between other Kurdish, women-led startups.
- Location
- Iraq
“I can face anything in this life with self-confidence”
Sitting serenely amongst the chaos of the bustling newsroom, 21-year-old Payam Sarbast is unique. She is the youngest news reporter at Rudaw, one of the fastest growing news channels in the Middle East, while just a year ago she had no job, no work experience and no confidence.
- Location
- Iraq
Opening pathways to employment
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741Scholarships Provided
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64Jobs Created
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532Youth Trained
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1058Received Student Service
