Key People, Key knowledge for Iraqi Women

“Key People, Key knowledge for Iraqi Women” is a project conceived and leaded by MEDITER. The project was implemented with the collaboration of  several international and local partners such as: The Municipality of Mosul, University of Mosul, Women Empowerment Organization in Erbil, Mosul Chamber of Commerce, Ninawa Governorate and University of Rome “Tor Vergata” CEIS (Centre for economics and international studies).

Key People, Key knowledge for Iraqy Women” is a project conceived, leaded by MEDITER and funded by the EU Commission. The project was implemented with the collaboration of  several international and local partners such as: The Municipality of Mosul, University of Mosul, Women Empowerment Organization in Erbil, Mosul Chamber of Commerce, Ninawa Governorate and University of Rome “Tor Vergata” CEIS (Centre for economics and international studies).

The project started in January 2014, lasted 36 months. Most of the activities were implemented in north of Iraq and in particular in the Urban area of Mosul and of the Governorate of Ninawa. However, after the ISIS invasion the project was relocated in the city of Erbil, Kurdistan. 

The project targeted 100 women working in Local Authority, women members of local NGO and SME. The final beneficiaries – at the end of the project – were about 10.000 people, prevalently women who were affected by a gradual process of social inclusion based on transfer of skills, business creation, business consulting, networking, mentoring, microcredit activities, co-management services, survey of needs in the area, creating dialogue with social stakeholders.

The goal of the project was helping a social inclusion of women in Iraq, to support the female leadership inside the local enterprises (SME) and of the NGOs and, through them, giving an answer adapted to the risks of economic, political and cultural marginalisation of the territory of North Iraq.

According to Mediter, a strategic key of sustainable development lies in its capacity to connect local institutions and enterprises, NGOs and associations, encouraging a shared strategic plan at a regional level.

That’s why the project also aimed at strengthening relations and synergies between Local Authorities and other actors, to enhance stability and equal opportunities for economical development and social and cultural growth.

Despite all the difficulties that the project faced, by the end of the project there were raised the capacities of 100 women on creating and managing SMEs, NGOs; Was produced the research study by the collaboration of University of Mosul and University TorVergata of Rome on the actual socio-economical of women in the region of Ninawa; There were created and legally registered and still functioning 5 NGOs and 4 SMEs ; There was established one business incubator that still provides support to young entrepreneurs; and there were organized 2 cooperation activities linking Iraqi institutions and universities with EU organizations and EU universities.