Iraq, positioned in the Middle East and nestled between the Persian Gulf, Iran, and Turkey, spans from the Persian Gulf's shores in the south to the Arabian Peninsula's deserts in the north. Classified as an upper-middle-income nation, Iraq has a population of around 42 million. The country is currently embarking on a renewed phase of state-building and long-term socio-economic development.
Our partnership
The European Union's strategic priorities in Iraq focus on maintaining security and stability, diversifying the economy, creating jobs, and reconstructing the social contract between citizens and institutions. These goals are underpinned by efforts to ensure continuous improvements in democratic processes and governance, enhance the environment for business and investment, promote equitable and sustainable employment, and develop robust human capital.
To facilitate the achievement of these objectives, the EU has implemented a Multiannual Indicative Programme for Iraq, allocating EUR 114 million for 2021-2024. Iraq also benefits from various regional and thematic EU programmes.
Moreover, the Team Europe Initiative for Iraq coordinates the efforts of the EU and its Member States, including Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, and Sweden. This initiative focuses on improving access to finance, supporting business development, and creating a conducive environment for investment.
- 8 MARCH 2022
- 31 OCTOBER 2024
- 1 DECEMBER 2023
- 1 JUNE 2014
Our flagship initiatives
- Job creation and economic diversification
This strategy focuses on creating jobs via private sector development, improving the enabling environment for investment and formalising the labour market to address the underlying factors of fragility and migration, while also generating viable job perspectives for young people and displaced communities. As Team Europe, this initiative backs the emerging efforts to diversify the economy of an oil rentier state, aiming to bolster macro-fiscal stability. It extends the EU's proven approach to agriculture and value chain development, alongside ongoing efforts to foster a conducive environment for investment.
The Team Europe Initiative 'TAEUFIQ: Team Europe for Iraq' (Taeufiq, echoing the Arabic term for success), targets fostering diversified, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth in Iraq. The initiative is designed to enhance livelihoods and create decent employment opportunities (increasing both the quantity and quality of jobs) across the country. Presently, TAEUFIQ encompasses 19 core projects, with a combined funding of EUR 177 million.
- Human development and social contract
This goal focuses on developing the essential human capital required for sustainable economic growth and addressing fragility by supporting education, skills training, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), as well as integrating displaced populations into national education frameworks. It also seeks to bolster the social contract by continuing to enhance social safety nets, which are crucial for mitigating poverty and social unrest, thereby building resilience against future crises. This includes the equitable integration of displaced individuals and refugees into national systems.
Our flagship programme on reconstruction of cultural heritage in historical urban centres is dedicated to the rehabilitation of buildings and public infrastructure within the historic quarters of Mosul and Basrah. It focuses on the revival of cultural and creative industries by supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which in turn facilitates skill development, job creation, and livelihood enhancements for the local community, especially among the youth. Additionally, the programme offers technical training on heritage site reconstruction, delivered through Iraqi training centers, and provides broad support to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.
- Digital participatory governance and democracy
This objective aims at strengthening national institutions and addressing endemic corruption to improve the management of national resources. It also seeks to bolster capacities for effective migration management and to find lasting solutions for displaced populations, thereby contributing to reconciliation, stabilisation, and peace-building efforts.
The Multiannual Indicative Programme for Iraq is further complemented by the Regional Indicative Programme, which emphasises migration and connectivity. Additionally, it is supported by thematic programmes focused on Human Rights and Democracy, Civil Society, and Peace Stability Conflict Prevention.