Project profile — Pathways for Inclusive Development and Participation of Young People

This project aims to support young Iraqi men and women, boys and girls between the ages of 10 to 24 in developing essential life and employment skills, finding meaningful work, and becoming agents of change in their communities. Through this initiative, UNICEF works with the Government of Iraq’s Ministry of Youth and Sport, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, national and international non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to provide equitable learning opportunities and skills development. It also supports the transition from “learning to earning” by linking them with job opportunities through job matching, internships and apprenticeships, mentoring, and seed funding for young entrepreneurs. The project also aims to support young people as agents of change in their communities by promoting active citizenship , supporting youth-led innovative initiatives and amplifying their voices on key issues that impact them.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased and more equitable access to relevant learning environments, employability, and civic engagement opportunities by young girls and boys (10- to 4 years) ; and (2) ensured equally safe, inclusive, and quality skills development and engagement opportunities for young girls and boys (10 to 24 years) through strengthened national and sub-national capacities.

Results achieved at the end of the project (October 2024) include: (1) trained 2,592 young people (1,182 girls and 1,410 boys) in life skills, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and employability through structured skills-building packages; (2) selected 1,012 participants (607 girls) for the Youth Advisory Groups in Basra, Baghdad and Anbar. These young people actively engaged in volunteering, civic engagement, and peer-led initiatives; (3) involved 1,993 young people (908 girls) in designing and leading community-based initiatives that addressed gender-related challenges such as discrimination, unequal access to education and employment, and social exclusion; (4) trained 60 government staff (27 women) on gender dynamics and the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), strengthening institutional capacity to deliver inclusive and gender-responsive youth programming; (5) established 3 innovation labs in government-supported youth centres in Baghdad, Basra, and Anbar, providing safe, inclusive spaces for youth, particularly girls, to access structured training and mentorship opportunities; (6) supported 450 youth (including 248 girls) with seed funding, mentorship, and apprenticeship opportunities to launch youth-led social and business entrepreneurship projects across the three governorates; and (7) engaged 1,993 youth (908 girls) in community-based initiatives promoting gender equality and social inclusion through peer education, advocacy campaigns, and digital outreach.