Work for Work campaign reaches milestone with comprehensive results presentation to media and stakeholders.

Young campaigners from Ranya, Chamchamal, and Halabja stood before an audience of over 15 media outlets and community stakeholders this week, presenting the achievements of their six-month “Work for Work”campaign. The event, held at the Civil Development Organisation (CDO) office in Sulaymaniyah, marked a significant moment in their mission to close the gap between education and employment across the three cities.  Three campaigners – Sham from Halabja, Mohammed from Chamchamal, and Zhivan from Ranya – led the presentation. Sham, an English language graduate from Charmo University, opened the press conference by stating, “We wanted the public to see what young people can accomplish when we work together systematically. Too often, youth unemployment is talked about as a problem without solutions. We came here to show concrete results.” Her words set the tone for a session focused on evidence, action, and collaboration. 

Direct Impact: numbers that reflect change

The campaign engaged more than 5,000 young people across Halabja, Ranya, and Chamchamal. Over 300 high school students received career guidance, helping them make informed decisions about their futures. At job fairs organised by the campaigners, around 100 employment opportunities were created. 

Workshops on CV writing and interview preparation supported 50 young people in developing the skills needed to enter the job market. Meanwhile, 40 structured internships were arranged in partnership with local companies, giving youth real-world experience. The team also supported 50 young entrepreneurs in promoting and marketing their products more effectively. In parallel, three workshops were organised with university Career Development Centres to strengthen institutional links between education and employment.

System-Level Changes: beyond the numbers 

Alongside these tangible activities, the campaign contributed to broader institutional change. Employer perceptions of youth shifted noticeably, with companies beginning to view young people as capable and valuable contributors. There was also growing commitment from local government actors to uphold volunteer rights, a key issue for young people trying to gain experience.

Coordination between universities and the private sector improved, creating new channels for collaboration. Importantly, the campaign also gathered and shared data on local market demand across academic fields, providing students with evidence-based insights into which sectors are growing and which are saturated. “Now we know exactly which fields have opportunities and which ones are oversaturated,” said Mohammed from the Chamchamal team. “This helps students make better decisions.”

Three-City Collaboration Model Highlighted

A key strength of the campaign was its three-pronged strategy brought together universities, government bodies, and the private sector. Rather than working in isolation, the youth teams built partnerships across these sectors, creating momentum that no single effort could have achieved alone. 

Zhivan, a nursing graduate from Duhok University now based in Ranya, told the media: “We were able to achieve all of this in a short period of time and with a small amount of budget, imagine what we can do if we all continue working and supporting each other in a longer time aiming our youth and society development.”

Broader Implications for Youth Programming

What set this campaign apart was not just the results, but how carefully they were tracked and documented. The team recorded what worked, what didn’t, how long each activity took, and how much it cost. This structured, transparent approach created a practical model that others can adopt. “We want other youth to be able to replicate this anywhere,” said Mohammed.

Looking Forward: Media as Partners

The press conference concluded with the campaigners inviting media outlets to serve as ongoing partners in amplifying youth voices and highlighting employment solutions.

“Today was about showing what we’ve accomplished,” Zhivan concluded. “But it’s also about inviting everyone – media, government, employers, families – to be part of what comes next. Youth are ready to lead, and we need partners who believe in our potential.”

The extensive media coverage generated by the press conference is expected to raise awareness about both the specific achievements of the “Work for Work” campaign and the broader potential for youth-led solutions to employment challenges across Kurdistan.