EUDiF is complementing ICMPD’s work in Iraq with a new Capacity Development Lab (CDL) project in the Kurdistan Region, in partnership with the Sulaymaniyah Governorate.
Engaging diaspora in Iraq Kurdistan
Iraq and the Sulaymaniyah Governorate are seeking to better integrate young talent into the labour market and strengthen school‑to‑work transitions. To achieve these objectives, the National Youth Vision 2030 and the Kurdistan Region Vision 2030 emphasise the persistent need for greater youth inclusion, tailored support and practical resources for sustainable development for youth and adolescents.
At the same time, the long established Kurdish-Iraqi diaspora in Europe has widely spread networks, strong community structures and significant talent abroad. Thanks to these assets, it can translate international expertise to local needs – an area where we at EUDiF play a facilitation role.
Local institutions lead the way
“From skills to startups: mobilising diaspora for youth entrepreneurship in Sulaymaniyah” has emerged from a bottom up approach, rooted in Slemani’s local context. Implemented with the Governorate of Sulaymaniyah, who is mandated with local planning, coordination and implementation in line with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) strategies, it moves beyond short term or fragmented employability and entrepreneurship support interventions. The project aims to enhance youth employment and self employment opportunities through coordinated public action in partnership with universities and sector actors and enriched by diaspora expertise.
“A project to activate the role of Kurdish experts in the diaspora in developing youth in Slemani will play a fundamental role in connecting young people to the land and engaging them in one of the most vital sectors of the green economy: agriculture. Enhancing youth capabilities through new technology, AI, robotics and advanced digital communication systems will connect farms to regional and international markets. This will strengthen the region’s position in environmental and renewable energy initiatives, as the only city in Iraq with a climate change and renewable energy action plan and ultimately reduce rural-to-urban migration within Kurdistan while also encouraging reverse migration from abroad to Kurdistan.”
— Dr. Haval Abubaker , Slemani Governor, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Co-design at the core
Collaboration is embedded throughout the project cycle via participatory mappings, creative workshops, hackathons and innovation clinics. Peer exchanges will enable teams from the Governorate and related institutions to learn from practical examples of programme design, inclusion strategies, labour‑market linkages and effective diaspora‑engagement mechanisms, drawing on Middle Eastern and international experiences.
All activities will be delivered by Kurdish-Iraqi diaspora experts, reinforcing trust, credibility and a sense of shared purpose within the diaspora community. Across formats, local government, youth, sector actors and diaspora professionals will come together to co‑create solutions tailored to the needs of the young people in Sulaymaniyah.
Skills circulation for youth innovation
At the heart of the initiative is a commitment to skills circulation, bringing together local young talent and diaspora expertise to spark new ideas, strengthen youth capabilities and create pathways into meaningful employment and entrepreneurship. Kurdish Iraqi diaspora experts with backgrounds in entrepreneurship, leadership and development will be involved as mentors, facilitators, reviewers and thematic leads.
“The potential in Sulaymaniyah is remarkable: talented young people, committed institutions and real opportunities to create social and economic value. This project brings the right stakeholders together to co-design sustainable solutions that local institutions can continue to lead. By supporting unemployed youth to understand, develop and launch start-ups, we can help them build their own livelihoods while contributing practical solutions to the challenges facing their communities”
— Farzan Najmeddin, Diaspora expert in Entrepreneuship
Thanks to diaspora guidance, young participants will gain clearer understanding and preparation for labour market expectations. Three main sectors were selected, where diaspora experts will contribute to pilot initiatives such as:
- Cultural heritage and creative entrepreneurship micro labs, where youth explore how local identity and cultural knowledge can inspire viable sources of income.
- Green agriculture youth innovation clinics, linking sustainability with modern agribusiness opportunities.
- Digital skills and AI hackathons, enabling young people to use digital and AI tools to explore realistic service-based income avenues.
Continuous focus on youth
In co-designing the project, EUDiF built on lessons from initiatives in Armenia and Lebanon, where diaspora-led mentorship programmes successfully supported women and youth entrepreneurs. Drawing on existing knowledge of youth-diaspora engagement, EUDiF provides methodological guidance and facilitates implementation, informed by in-house research such as “Learning by doing”: heritage tourism in the digital era and youth entrepreneurship and heritage tourism.
By adding to the growing collection of youth-focused diaspora engagement initiatives, this project strengthens the CDL portfolio and underscores EUDiF’s commitment to inclusion and youth empowerment. Serving both as a knowledge hub and facilitator, EUDiF ensures that diaspora-driven innovation continues to shape sustainable opportunities for young entrepreneurs.