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. Young people are at risk of becoming radicalised due to the presence of the Islamic State and a lack of job or educational opportunities. Despite the challenges, huge investments have been made in energy, infrastructure and tourism, creating major opportunities to boost the region’s economy. SPARK’s programmes focus on vulnerable youth, countering violent extremism, providing higher (vocational) education scholarships and developing SMEs.
Programmes in this location
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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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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,…
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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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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…
“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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518Scholarships Provided
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64Jobs Created
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383Youth Trained
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1028Received Student Service