Creating opportunities and promoting decent work for all in Iraq

Since 2019, the PROSPECTS partnership—funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and led by the ILO, IFC, UNHCR, UNICEF, and the World Bank—has worked across eight countries, including Iraq, to improve the lives of refugees and host communities. By expanding socio-economic opportunities, strengthening rights, and promoting inclusion in national systems, the partnership supports pathways toward self-reliance and social cohesion.

This factsheet presents the results achieved during Phase 1 (2020–2024) of ILO PROSPECTS in Iraq, where efforts focused on expanding access to decent work for displaced populations, host communities, and youth. The ILO partnered with national institutions, social partners, NGOs, and the private sector to modernize vocational training, enhance employment services, promote green jobs through infrastructure projects, strengthen entrepreneurship through training and access to finance, and support cooperative development. These achievements were shaped by active engagement with internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and host community members.

Looking ahead, Phase 2 (2024–2027) builds on these foundations while placing greater emphasis on bridging policy reform with community-level initiatives. By strengthening the links between education, training, and the labour market, the project aims to create more inclusive and sustainable employment opportunities. With continued collaboration across PROSPECTS partners, ministries, employers, training institutions, and civil society, the ILO remains committed to advancing livelihoods and resilience for all in Iraq.