Business consultancy for the sustainable operation of Innovation Hubs in Iraq
The Promoting Employment in the Digital Economy in Iraq (ProDIGI) project aims to enhance workers’ skills for employment in the digital economy, promote collaboration for job creation, and increase awareness of the digital economy as a driver of employment-focused growth.
Building on the previous ICT for Youth project, ProDIGI continues to strengthen Iraq’s innovation ecosystem through the development of innovation hubs. These hubs – operated by local NGOs – provide co-working and maker spaces, training in start-up entrepreneurship, digital and technical skills (e.g. app development, blockchain, digital fabrication), and incubation/acceleration programmes.
Innovation hubs such as Mosul Space, Makers of Baghdad, Innovation House, and Five One Labs were established and developed under ICT for Youth. Some are already progressing towards sustainability, while others still require additional support.
This consultancy will support selected hubs in improving the sustainability of their operations by offering tailored business development advice.
Disciplines
- Skills and Economic Development
Companies
Dorsch Impact GmbH
Client
GIZ, funded by BMZ
Duration
From 2023 to 2024
Location
Baghdad, Sulaymaniyah, Erbil and Mosul , Iraq
Project Activities
a. Desk Study & Sustainability Strategy Review
Conduct a desk study on the local context (private sector, public sector, academia, etc.) for hubs in Baghdad, Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, and Mosul.
Review existing sustainability strategies to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
b. Online Stakeholder Interviews
Conduct interviews with key stakeholders in the tech ecosystem, selected in coordination with the ICT project.
Identify challenges and opportunities facing each innovation hub.
c. Workshop Preparation & Implementation
Prepare and facilitate one two-day workshop per hub (minimum four hours per day).
Engage with hub staff to understand operations, services, and organisational structure.
Collaboratively identify practical measures to enhance operations.
d. Documentation & Recommendations
Document key findings, insights, and workshop outcomes.
Develop tailored recommendations for each hub, covering income generation, organisational restructuring, public sector partnerships, and improved working conditions.
e. Discussion of Recommendations
Conduct one follow-up online meeting with each hub to present and discuss the recommendations.
Collect feedback to ensure alignment with each hub’s needs and local context.
Contact
Dorsch Impact GmbH
Essen (Headquarter)
Baumstraße 25
45128
Essen
Phone +49 0 201 2016-0
Fax +49 0 201 2016-282
E-Mail info@dorsch-impact.de
Contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
We are committed to making a positive impact and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This project contributes to the following SDGs:
Companies
