Entrepreneurship Trainings Bring New Opportunities for IDPs in Sharya

With the support of the Government of Japan, has launched a new series of the Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) trainings in Sharya Camp and Sharya Town, in the Duhok Governorate of Northern Iraq. These trainings are part of the project “Emergency livelihood support to internally displaced persons affected by camp closures and host community members for the development of an inclusive market system”that is providing emergency livelihood support to internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by camp closures, and to host communities, in order to foster a more inclusive market system in Iraq. By investing in IDPs and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills, UNIDO promotes self-reliance and strengthens the resilience of entire communities

Sharya Camp is home to over 9,000 displaced Yazidis who fled the Sinjar region during the Islamic State’s 2014 genocidal campaign. Conditions in the camp remain harsh with limited access to basic infrastructure and services, with many residents facing ongoing trauma, poverty, and uncertainty about their future. The town of Sharya is also predominantly Yazidi and hosts both long-term residents and displaced families. 

Between the 24th of August and the 3rd of September, two training programs were held in Sharya Camp and Sharya Town, each providing 65 hours of instruction to a total of 44 men and women. These trainings equipped participants with the practical skills and self-confidence to transform their business ideas into reality, and marked the beginning of series of further trainings opportunities to support aspiring entrepreneurs.

Like thousands of other IDPs across the Kurdistan Region in Northern Iraq, many participants face significant barriers to formal employment and stable income. For them, entrepreneurship offers one of the most sustainable pathways to rebuilding their lives and supporting their families.

Throughout 11 days, participants acquired skills covering key aspects of business development, including business planning, financial management, budgeting, marketing, and customer relations. The program also placed strong emphasis on soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, which are essential for sustaining a business in a competitive and often unpredictable economic environment. At the end of the training, participants had the opportunity to receive equipment support package consisting of tools, equipment, and materials tailored to their business ideas, enabling them to immediately apply what they’ve learned and help overcome one of the biggest challenges facing new entrepreneurs: access to start-up resources.

The active participation of women in both Sharya Camp and Town underscores the growing influence of women in business and entrepreneurship across the Kurdistan Region. Nearly 40% of the training participants were female, a remarkable figure considering the social and economic challenges women face in pursuing entrepreneurial ventures. Women that joined the program showed strong determination to build better futures not only for themselves, but also for their families and communities. Their involvement reflects a broader shift toward inclusive economic development and highlights the transformative potential of targeted training for displaced populations.

An example of this determination is Khairiya Rashak Chrko, the eldest daughter of a family originally from Sinjar that was displaced to Sharya Camp in 2014, Khairiya was one of 17 female participants in the program. Her father is the family’s sole wage earner, working as a day laborer without a steady job. Although Khairiya has been actively seeking employment, she has not yet been successful.

Reflecting on her experience, Khairiya shared, “the training gave me the skills to establish my own small business.” She added, “I feel confident now that I understand the key principles of marketing and how to build customer trust.”

Anwar Jundi Khalaf, is another participant in the program, that lives in Sharya Camp. Like most IDPs, his family has endured both the loss of loved ones and ongoing economic hardship. On Reflection, Anwar shared, “the program was a valuable opportunity to gain life and social skills and to build our capacities. I learned how to navigate the market, start a business, and formally establish it with proper planning and a clear vision for the future.”

A computer science graduate, Anwar explained, “I have sufficient theoretical and practical knowledge to work in the field” What he lacked, were business skills and motivation, which, the training successfully provided.

Dezheen Jamil Namr, a 20-year-old IDP living in Sharya Town, has not yet had the opportunity to find work or start a business, but shared her aspirations to establish a domestic poultry project. Drawing from personal experience, Dezheen explained, “I’ve gained valuable knowledge from my mother, who raises enough chickens to meet our family’s egg consumption.”

Recognizing a market opportunity and the chance to leverage her skills - newly acquired and otherwise Dezheen noted, “there’s strong demand for local eggs, so I plan to raise chickens and sell eggs in commercial quantities. This will help support both me and my family.”

The Sharya training program builds on UNIDO’s successful EDP model, previously implemented in other refugee and IDP-hosting areas. In these locations, participants like Dezheen have received the skills and resources needed to open shops, start farms, and expand family businesses. Their achievements demonstrate how displaced individuals, when provided with the right tools and support, can become active contributors to the economy and play a vital role in community recovery and growth.