The Riyada Initiative

The Riyada initiative, launched by the Iraqi government, aims to empower youth by providing training and support for entrepreneurship. University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa was the first university in Karbala, Iraq, to collaborate and be part of this initiative. In 2024, over 53,000 individuals were trained, with 8,130 participants benefiting from loans. The initiative registered 424,749 participants, creating 10,000+ job opportunities. Its key goals include equipping youth with skills for the labour market, encouraging entrepreneurship, fostering innovation, and boosting Iraq’s economy. The programme offers training, mentorship, and government-backed loans to support small businesses, ensuring long-term sustainability. Riyada also promotes collaboration between the public and private sectors to drive economic growth and employment.

Achievements of the Initiative at University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa

The University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa witnessed wide participation in the “Riyada” initiative, achieving the following milestones:

  • Number of training courses held at Warith Al-Anbiyaa University: 22 courses.
  • Letters of appreciation were received by the university from the Office of the Prime Minister’s Advisor, Dr Hussein Falamrz.
  • Number of participants in the training courses: 440 trainees.
  • Number of successful projects qualified: 187 projects.

These figures reflect the strong engagement with the initiative and its success in achieving its goals, as more than 40% of participants were able to develop viable and sustainable projects.