Social Enterprise Incubation
One modality of the Agribusiness Incubator is focused on Social Enterprises in Iraq. As the first incubator in-country for local Iraqi NGOs, it launched in December 2020, with the support of SIDA. The incubator includes weekly group sessions and extensive one-to-one sessions with each participant on topics related to the social enterprise model, problem identification, and solution creation. The incubation continues until March 2021 where two of the participating 14 NGOs will be receive seedfunding up to 17K USD.
In Iraq, the training included in the incubation is important since the Social Enterprise model is a relatively new model in the country. The Iraq Response Innovation Lab proposed that capacitating local NGOs with knowledge and training around this model is the best way forward to support the NGO’s work on creating social impact. With a better understanding of business models and enterprise structure, these NGOs will be able to implement their projects and build sustainable revenue sources from their business models. All projects are focused on positively impacting vulnerable populations and sustainable revenue models.
