100 Youths Join Workshop on Innovation

Local entrepreneurs also shared experiences and challenges they faced in different projects, such as opening a modern cinema, establishing a digital marketing company in Erbil, and developing humanitarian, artistic and commercial projects in Basra.

Graphic Facilitation and Recording was one of the new techniques of focus. "I learned to work on graphic facilitation recently; it is fascinating how vast amounts of details can be turned into simple graphs,” noted Graphic facilitator Shadan Khalid, 19. “I am considering applying this method in my college studies."

Reflecting on the workshop series, volunteer mentor Alaq Khalid, 20, observed: “They were genuinely very positive and enriching. Along with the fun and energetic atmosphere, we have seen many ideas come to life as nearly completed projects and we are very excited about the upcoming stages to finalize and hopefully execute many of them.”

UNDP Iraq and Zain Iraq will soon call for applications to receive final project proposals that will be presented to potential donors and investors. Participants will then be able to present them in the Innovation for Development Camp, which will be held by the end of November 2015 in Baghdad.

(Source: UNDP in Iraq)