Social Enterprise Incubator

Supporting Iraqi youth access to employment

 

The Agribusiness Incubation has helped identify the need to support Social Enterprises in their development in Iraq. The IRIL launched a program to do just that, and it’s the first in Iraq that utilizes the participation of local Iraqi NGOs. 

The Social Enterprise model is relatively new in Iraq and is still developing within the unique context. Through the work of the Agribusiness Incubator, the IRIL saw an opportunity to merge the concept with the existing capacity of local NGOs to enable more social impact in the local economy. The focus of the Social Enterprise Incubator is to increase the understanding of business models and enterprise structure, to allow for the participation of NGOs to implement their projects and be sustainable without the constant need of relying on large donors. 

The Social Enterprise Incubator has launched under the GoGreen Umbrella.

Services

The intent is to equip innovative start-ups with the necessary knowledge and skills to become successful entrepreneurs, such as bookkeeping and business planning. The support includes ongoing one-on-one business advice and mentorship, training, and networking through seminars/events. Additionally, the innovators will have access to the fully equipped Response Innovation Lab office to use as their own and organize events, workshops, training, meetings, and exchange with peers. The Incubator offers the following services:

  • Business coaching

  • Mentoring

  • Training

  • Space

The Incubator utilizes a network of partners and experts to tailors technical expertise to the need of each start-up. By the end of the incubation, the innovators will have the business skills to scale further and pitch for funding at the IRIL Innovation Pool Fund and beyond.

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Facts and Figures

  • 10 hours of Group Learning sessions 

  • Over 60 hours of Mentoring 

  • 2 funded projects in 2 governorates 

  • 2 Social enterprises launched under the selected NGOs 

  • 12 Participating NGOs from 5 different governorates in Iraq 

  • Total of 30K USD in pool funding 

  • The live event for winner announcements and Facebook campaign with over 37.7K Reach and 15.5 K engagement 

Projects

Homemade

HomeMade employs women in Erbil who produce local food at an economical price point, in a convenient location, and for the local population.  

Hawaa Studio

Hawaa Studio is increasing the equity of women photographers to male photographers at events where gender segregation is still prominent.

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