Iraqi Youth Initiative
September, 2012
www.IraqiYouthInitiative.org
www.facebook.com/GoYouthIraq
@YouthIraq
@RayMendenilla
IYIHome@tijara-iraq.com
rmendenilla@tijara-iraq.com
@EnasKamil
ekamil@tijara-iraq.com
#YouthIraq
© SAP 2009 /
THE IRAQI YOUTH INITIATIVE PRSENTS!
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First Youth Employment Promotion training
course in Diyala province completed by 16
women participants. – September 2011
Poll: A nationwide market assessment of Iraq w...
Esra’a Farhan, age 18 from Najaf province, completed the
Youth Initiative training course" How to start a Business" and
received a $3,000 loan to start his own business as a
seamstress. Esra’a started a business that supports her
family and employs 1 seamstresses.
Poll: A nationwide market assessment of Iraq w...
Lina Ameer, age 26 from Basrah province, completed
the Youth Initiative training course" How to start a
Business" and received a $5,000 YEAF loan to start a
nursery school and kindergarten and has created jobs
for four employees.
Poll: Analysis methods utilized by the microfi...
Isra'a Ali Muhammed, 29 years old, is that Youth
Employment Promotion trainer in Salah ad Din
province. She has trained 227 Youth Initiative
beneficiaries at the SEDO. of that number 91 started
apprenticeships and 55 now have permanent jobs.
Poll: In designing the apprenticeship activity...
Khansa'a Fared, 24,
is from Dhi Qar
province started an
apprenticeship as
Field Land Surveyor
and is now a Project
Manager with Nour
Al Nassriya
Construction after
graduating from the
Youth Employment
Promotion Program.
Poll: Prior to the Youth Initiative the Traini...
Tara Ahmed, age 22 from Karbala province, graduated from
"How to Start a Business" Youth Initiative training course and
qualified for a $3,500 YEAF loan based on her business plan
to start a project of wedding provider and accessories maker,
5 jobs were created through this successful project
Poll: The Iraqi youth Initiative of USAID-Tija...
Enhancing Employment and Entrepreneurship Among Youth
Funded by the U.S. Ambassador’s Targeted Development Fund, IYI is implemented in 14 provinces of Iraq.
It comprises two key activities:
Youth Entrepreneurship Access to Finance
• An outlet to facilitate access to demand-driven
financial services previously unavailable to
youth in Iraq.
• 3,863 youth (3,339 men and 524 women)
trained on entrepreneurship.
• $5,653,300 disbursed to 1,661 youth
entrepreneurs (13% women).
Youth Employment Promotion
• An avenue for youth to gain better employable
skills through a training and apprenticeship.
• 1,735 youth (1,103 men and 632 women)
equipped with better employability skills.
• 3,036 positions pledged by 951 sponsors.
• 911 (33% women) placed in apprenticeship
positions.
The 6th week site visit to a youth beneficiary,
micro finance Loan is $2100, Accessories &
Make up. — in As Sulaymaniyah, Iraq.
10
Overview
Background, Design
and Implementation
Lessons Learned
Other Significant
Impacts
• History of program.
• Through the eyes of a new applicant.
• Monitoring, evaluating and working with Implementing
partners nationwide.
• Overcoming unforeseen setbacks.
• Base period adjustments and capacity building for
implementing partners.
• Utilization of fixed obligation grants.
• Impact of Youth Initiative on Implementing partners.
• Impact of Youth Initiative with the Government of Iraq.
• Possible impact of the Youth Initiative beyond Iraq.
USAID-Tijara Mission and Priorities
USAID-Tijara
2008-2011
Priorities
Promotes private sector growth and employment.
The USAID-Tijara program supports the economic development of
Iraqi communities by offering services that stimulate business
activities and promote greater access to financial services for
Micro Small and Medium Enterprises.
Advance private sector development throughout Iraq (18
governorates) by;
• Promoting microfinance and bank institutions to increase loan
volume and diversify clientele.
• Creating and supporting indigenous BDS providers.
• Assisting the Government of Iraq (GOI) in WTO accession and
in new customs Trade reforms through process and automation
implementation.
• Establishing an Improved Business and Investment Enabling
Environment.
• Creating job opportunities and access to finance previously
unavailable to the youth of Iraq.
USAID-Tijara Activities Across Iraq
Microfinance Institution
Supported by USAID-Tijara
USAID-Tijara Supported SME
Loans
Small Business Development
Centers in Operation
Small Business Development
Centers in Formation
WTO Accession Support
Business and Investment
Enabling Environment Activities
Youth Initiative Activities –
phase one
Iraqi Youth Initiative
The Youth Initiative is funded by the U.S. Ambassador’s
Targeted Development Fund and implemented by the
USAID-Tijara Provincial Economic Growth program. The
program focuses on creating both self-employment and
employment opportunities for the youth of Iraq by
providing:
• Business training to increase livelihood skills
• Access to finance in order to establish new businesses
• On-the-job experience to expand their technical skill sets
U.S. Ambassador,
Christopher Hill
delivers the 1st
loan check issued
to a young
entrepreneur
during the
National Launch
of the Iraqi Youth
Initiative in the
Najaf province.
(May 23, 2010)
The Youth Initiative consists of three focused activities.
• Youth Entrepreneurship Resource Center - a one-stop
repository for training and resources for young entrepreneurs
interested in establishing productive businesses and assisting
youth seeking gainful employment.
• Youth Entrepreneurship Access to Finance - an outlet to
facilitate access to demand-driven microfinance services
previously unavailable to youth in Iraq.
• Youth Employment Promotion - a venue for youth to gain
employable skills through a training, apprenticeship and
employment sponsorship efforts.
Iraqi Ministry of
Youth
represented by
Dr. Salma AlZubaidy attends
National Launch
of Youth
Employment
Promotion (YEP)
in Basrah.
(May 5, 2011)
DO YOU NEED COPIES IN BASRA IRAQ? :)
6th week visit to youth who started a
stationery business 2 jobs created! — in
Basra, Al Basrah.
BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE &
ELEVATOR SPEECH
13 (7 female) youth in Baghdad
received approvals for $34,000 in
microfinance loans to start new
businesses! — in Baghdad
ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM
RESULTS
Iraqi Youth
Initiative
Trained 3,863 participants in “How to Start a
Business” and provided business
counselling to write a business plan.
Disbursed loans totalling $5,653,300 to
1,661 youth entrepreneurs (Average loan
size $3,404).
Youth Entrepreneur Access to Finance Program
Life-of-Project Period Ending 07/31/2012
$169,599
3%
The winner of each category also received
a Showcase award crystal. Each winner
was chosen by a committee made up of the
Ministry of Youth, USAID/Iraq and USAIDTijara. Here we have the winner of the
Significant Female Entrepreneur. (Salon &
beauty center) business creating 4 jobs in
Karbala province)
$1,978,655
35%
$2,996,249
53%
$508,797
9%
US$ trade sector loans disbursed.
US$ mfg/process loans disbursed.
US$ service sector loans disbursed.
US$ agriculture sector loans disbursed.
Youth-Friendly Loan
Previously Unavailable
Aseel Allawi – 28 years / Tailor &
Female Attire / Babil province - loan
amount is $4000 , monthly income 4
jobs created.
Sabreen Khalil, 22 years old,
Basra province, accountant
apprentice with Cyrus Group.
FIND THE JOBS BEFORE YOU
LAUNCH THE TRAINING.
MATCHING IMPACT
Photo: US Ambassador Hill and USAID
Mission Director Crowley attend briefing
on Youth Initiative activities in Najaf
province. (May 2010)
33%
# of women starting
apprenticeship
positions through
the Youth
Employment
Promotion program
Photo: YEP class with 18 women
participants in Salah ad Din province
The Youth Employment Promotion
(YEP) program has developed a
network of 951 local community
business sponsors with 3,036
identified employment positions
across 12 provinces.
Since the YEP program was
launched in May 2011, 1735
participants have been trained and
911 participants have been placed
in apprenticeship positions.
TARGETS BY June. 2012
•Train 5,600 youth in entrepreneurship and employmentrelated skills.
•Facilitate creation of 1,661 youth entrepreneur businesses
and 3,200 jobs created through the YEAF loan program.
•Promote sustained jobs creation of at least 50% for 900
apprenticeship participants.
We were fortunate to get
this 16 yr old youth to
play the Iraqi National
Anthem. — in Baghdad.
Youth
Entrepreneur
Access to
Finance
(YEAF)
Youth
Employment
Promotion
(YEP)
Youth
Initiative
Youth
Entrepreneur
Resource
Center
(YERC)
Youth Initiative Director
Youth Initiative
Deputy Director
Field Operation Manager
Musab Alkateeb
Advisor Business
Development
Program
Coordinator
FC
Erbil
Aladdin Fathi Ali
Advisor
Microfinance (Capacity)
Program
Coordinator
Program
Operations
Coordinator
FC
Kirkuk
FC
Diyala
3- FC
Baghdad
2- FC
Basrah
Doug Treadwell
Advisor Monitoring
& Evaluation
Program
Coordinator
FC
Saladin
FC
Anbar
FC
Sulaiy
maniyh
Habte Asfaw
Advisor
Microfinance (Analysis)
FC
Thi Qar
Program
Coordinator
FC
Karbala
FC
Babil
FC
Najaf
FC
Wasit
FC
Muthana
ENGLISH NOT REQUIRED!
province
FC Name
Dates
Dates of covering
activity Type
7/15/2011
7/16/2011
Friday
Saturday
7/17/2011
Sunday
7/18/2011
7/19/2011
Monday
Tuesday
7/20/2011
Wednesday
7/21/2011
7/22/2011
7/23/2011
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
7/24/2011
Sunday
7/25/2011
7/26/2011
Monday
Tuesday
7/27/2011
Wednesday
7/28/2011
7/29/2011
7/30/2011
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
7/31/2011
Sunday
Weekly activity report
vetting and orientation
attendance Sheet
MFI visiting Day
Weekly indicaters
Update of weekly indicaters and
pictuers highlighting the week
Profiles Day
Weekly activity report
vetting and orientation
attendance Sheet
MFI visiting Day
Weekly indicaters
Update of weekly indicaters and
pictuers highlighting the week
Profiles Day
Weekly activity report
vetting and orientation
attendance Sheet
Top Recruiter = 50 points
2nd Place = 30 points
3rd Place = 20 points
total
Daily
Activities
Youth
Initiative
Filed
Coordinators
Recognition & Competition
NO INVOICE = DOES NOT COUNT
SBDC MONHTLY TARGETS /Province
Description
YEAF (Entrepreneurs)
YEP (Apprentices)
Total
 Number of courses / Month
3
2
5
 Average Class size
15
10
-
 Total Trainees Joining / Month
45
20
65
20%
20%
20%
36
16
52
 Phase 1 (Training/Training) /Month
(36 * $125) = $4,500
(16*$300) = $ 4,800
$9,300
 Phase 2 (BRP/Apprtice Placement) / Month
(36 *$ 100) = $3,600
(12*$100) = $ 1,200
$4,800
 Phase 3 (Disbursem/Appar fee) / Month
(18 * $150) =$2,700
(12*$300) = $3,600
$6,300
 Phase 4 (Site Visit/Jobs Sustain) / Month
(18*50)+(18*75) = $2,250
(8*100) = $800
$3,050
$13,050
$ 10,400
$23,450
 Dropout rate
 Completed Class size / Month
 Monthly Total Grant Utilization Rate
Results Oriented Invoicing & Documentation Process
Get your Partners Organized
Sample Monthly Schedule 2011
Tuesday
Monday
Sunday
Blue = SBDC
Thursday
Wednesday
1
2
8
9
Gray = Grants component
Green = Youth Initiative
Purple = Field Coordinator
5
Deadline for receiving the hard copies of
invoices & documents for activities
completed in the previous month
(Responsible party: SBDC)
12
19
Deadline for receiving the hard copies of
invoices & documents for activities
completed at the current month.
(Responsible party: SBDC)
26
6
7
The YI program
coordinators check,
verify invoices &
documents for
accuracy.
(Responsible party:
YI)
The Grants component 's"auditing process period"
spans three working days, which begins with receipt of
reviewed invoices and documents by the YI component.
(Responsible party: Grants component)
13
14
15
16
21
22
23
20
The YI program
coordinators check,
verify invoices &
documents for
accuracy.
(Responsible party:
YI)
The Grants component 's"auditing process period"
spans three working days, which begins with receipt of
reviewed invoices and documents by the YI component.
(Responsible party: Grants component)
27
28
29
30
Saturday
4
Deadline for receiving the Monthly Report of Deadline for receiving the Tracking
the previous month (Responsible party: FC). Sheet for activities occuring in the
previous month (Responsible party:
SBDC).
Friday
3
10
11
Deadline for the Grants component to
process the grant payment for invoices
which have been received on the 5th. This
process takes between 14 -21 days, which
means the SBDC's can expect the payment in
the current month. (Responsible party: Grants
component)
17
18
24
25
Deadline for the Grants component to
process payment for invoices and
documents which have been received on the
19th of the current month. The SBDC's
should expect payment before the 15th of the
following month. (Responsible party: Grants
component)
Grant Utilization Rates (Eye Openers)
KNOW WHERE YOU STAND
All guidance can
be found in the
Youth Initiative
SOP
Lessons Learned
• Overcoming unforeseen setbacks.
• Wearing multiple hats (client, project, prime/sub-prime contractor)/
Lessons Learned
• Social Media Explosion! … A bit late…
• Fostering partnerships is an uphill battle.
Lessons Learned
• Base period adjustments and capacity building for implementing partners.
• Orientation session made a big difference.
Lessons Learned
• Utilization of fixed obligation grants.
• Women mentoring women = Increase in women participation
Lessons Learned
• Plan ahead and plan to adjust.
• Web portal DMS created but unfortunately never utilized.
• Results oriented program can be a nightmare to manage (grants)
Lessons Learned
With a mere $2,900 this young
entrepreneur starts an internet cafe in
Wassit province Iraq. She is the first
women owned Internet Cafe in Wassit! —
in Kut al Hai, Wasit.
Other Significant
Impacts
• Impact of Youth Initiative on Implementing partners.
• Impact of Youth Initiative with the Government of Iraq.
• Possible impact of the Youth Initiative beyond Iraq.
More than 20 media outlets came to the Showcase to
meet our young women entrepreneurs. Sameera Jasim,
27, from Babil province started as an apprentice with Al
Karwan Nursery and Kindergarten after graduating from
the Youth Employment Promotion Program.
Little Birds Fashion Youth Group displays
traditional attire from each province of Iraq at
the USAID-Tijara’s Iraqi Youth Initiative
Showcase Awards Ceremony May 2012.
1
Youth of Today are the Leaders of Tomorrow…
Have an Impact on your Tomorrow… Today…
Iraqi Youth Initiative
September, 2012
www.IraqiYouthInitiative.org
www.facebook.com/GoYouthIraq
@YouthIraq
@RayMendenilla
IYIHome@tijara-iraq.com
rmendenilla@tijara-iraq.com
@EnasKamil
ekamil@tijara-iraq.com