Young Entrepreneurs in Kurdistan: Breaking Barriers and Driving Change 

1. Why did you start your business, and what difficulties did you face at the beginning?   

My journey with Football Friends began when I was still a student at the American University of Iraq, Sulaymaniyah (AUIS). I found out that I didn’t actually want to work in business. I was more interested in football, especially youth football, so I decided I would start a youth football team called Football Friends. I had already worked as a youth football trainer before, with Brazilian coach Clovis Ferreira in Sulaymaniyah. I started reading and doing research about how youth football works in different places in the world. In 2020, I launched Football Friends in Sulaymaniyah. 
Some of the difficulties I have faced are a shortage of suitable football training venues, a lack of qualified youth trainers to collaborate with, and a generally negative approach to youth coaching in Sulaymaniyah. I have observed an excessive focus on competitiveness and “elite training” in youth clubs, driven by poor coach education, and insufficient regulatory oversight. 
At Football Friends, we prioritize an inclusive environment where winning matters but not at the cost of enjoyment, as we believe youth football should be about creating positive experiences for kids. I’m currently based in Odense, Denmark, pursuing my UEFA C trainer license. I hope to return to Sulaymaniyah in the future, where I believe I can still make a meaningful impact. 

2. What are the biggest challenges for young entrepreneurs like you in the KRI today? 

I’m hesitant to mention this, but our football school still operates without an official license from the Ministry of Youth and Sports. I’ve contacted them multiple times to explain our situation, but they’ve neither provided clear guidelines for obtaining a license nor asked us to cease operations. 
Securing a license is important to us because we’re committed to doing things properly. Without proper oversight, anyone could set up a social media page and advertise a new football club, which risks creating numerous issues. 
Additionally, youth football coaches in Sulaymaniyah face severely limited coaching education opportunities. The AFC C License is offered only once a year with restricted spots. Without sufficient trained coaches, the city cannot adequately serve the thousands of children missing out on football. 
In Denmark, about 80% of kids aged 4-16 participate in organized sports regularly. No such data exists for Iraq, but it’s clear the participation rate is far below 80%. 

3. How do your family, community, and society view you as an entrepreneur, and how has that affected your journey? 

I’d like to think that those who were close to me could feel the excitement of creating something new. Many came to our training sessions to see for themselves what we were doing. There have also been those who maybe didn’t see the vision at first, but I never paid much attention to that. 
In the first months there was a lot of anxiety, I wasn’t sure anyone would want to trust me with their own child. But luckily it wasn’t the case. We must’ve done something right because in our second year we could barely keep up with demand from parents who wanted to start their kids at our club. The parents have been amazing, and I am so grateful for the trust and support they’ve given me over the years. That relationship is very important to me, and it is something I will never forget. 

4. How do government policies, funding programs, or business incubators (organizations that help new business startups) help or make things harder for your business? 

I chose not to pursue funding programs or join a business incubator for my football school. Having just completed an entrepreneurship course at AUIS with Pat Cline, the founding director of the AUIS Entrepreneurship Initiative and a respected business development consultant. The course, which was likely the most effective incubator-style program available in Sulaymaniyah then, made me feel equipped to move forward without those options. 
Instead, I focused on building the team and hiring good people. My strategy was simple: create an appealing team, attract sponsors, and feature them on our shirts, a common funding model for football clubs. That’s exactly what happened—we secured sponsors, displayed their logos on our shirts, and promoted them on Instagram. 

5. Have you received grants or loans from international organizations in KRI? How was the process, and was it useful? 

I decided early on that I didn’t want to follow the same path as other businesses, which often treated certain revenue streams like free money. Instead, I focused on building a sustainable business where income consistently exceeds expenses. 
To boost efficiency and reduce unnecessary costs, I worked on enhancing my skills and acquiring new ones. I honed my abilities as a salesperson, social media manager, and photographer while continuing to develop as a football trainer, all to strengthen my business. 

6. What changes or support do you think are needed to help businesses grow in the KRI? 

Youth football clubs in Sulaymaniyah urgently need support. The dedicated staff at the Ministry of Youth and Sports understand the city’s heritage and culture, but they require assistance to ensure more children can play organized football on proper fields. 
A key priority is improving access to coach education. Sulaymaniyah has far too few qualified coaches for the number of young players. I tried enrolling in local coaching courses without success, ultimately pursuing my UEFA License abroad. Not everyone has that opportunity, so this must change. 
Additionally, regulatory bodies need to strengthen supervision and oversight. Currently, youth football is often driven by social media hype, with some clubs creating viral social media content to attract high-paying clients by promising pathways to European football. I’ve also observed coaches misrepresenting their qualifications to build their reputation. Greater accountability is essential.

1. Why did you start your business, and what difficulties did you face at the beginning?   

As an artist, I was always wondering where colors come from. Becoming a biologist opened my eyes—I discovered that a single tube of painting pigment contains more than 20 chemicals. This number doesn’t even include the packaging, which is usually plastic and non-recyclable. I always say that art should heal, not harm—and it was harming me without me even being aware of it. So, I wanted to change that by making colors from natural sources.  

2. What are the biggest challenges for young entrepreneurs like you in the KRI today?

There are definitely challenges, especially as a woman working in the art field. Appreciation for art here is very limited, so it’s always difficult to educate people about its value and importance.  

3. How do your family, community, and society view you as an entrepreneur, and how has that affected your journey?  

Thankfully, my family is very supportive. Their encouragement made me who I am today. It helped me build confidence and keep going without giving up.  

4. How do government policies, funding programs, or business incubators (organizations that help new business startups) help or make things harder for your business?  

I participated in one incubator, and I gained a lot of knowledge. It helped me understand my business better—I learned how to start, what to do, and how to grow.  

5.
Have you received grants or loans from international organizations in KRI? How was the process, and was it useful?  

Yes, I participated in the Orange Corners Incubator, cohort 7, and I was one of the winners of the fund after pitching my idea. After the program ended, the support I received was quite helpful and really helped me get started.  

6. What changes or support do you think are needed to help businesses grow in the KRI?

We need more business gatherings where people can network with each other. As well as more collaboration, and programs that support small businesses to grow would make a big difference.

1. Why did you start your business, and what difficulties did you face at the beginning?   

Since childhood, I’ve dreamed of starting my own business in the food and confectionery industry, not just to work in the field, but to build and grow a brand I could proudly promote as a Kurdish brand. After earning my degree in Business Administration, I decided to take the first steps toward that dream, applying my academic knowledge to bring my vision to life.  

2. What are the biggest challenges for young entrepreneurs like you in the KRI today?

Entrepreneurs face a lot of challenges and hardships when they first start out because there aren’t a lot of experienced entrepreneurs around them who can guide them in this field. Some of the challenges I faced are: 

- Difficulty finding reliable sources of information and a general lack of useful data on entrepreneurship work. 

-Limited access to suitable workspaces. 

-Complicated government laws and regulations that make it harder to start new businesses. 

3. How do your family, community, and society view you as an entrepreneur, and how has that affected your journey?   

My family, community, and friends have had a positive impact on the growth of my work. In the early stages, they played a key role in helping me introduce my business to their networks and those around them. 

4. How do government policies, funding programs, or business incubators (organizations that help new business startups) help or make things harder for your business?   

Government policies have often created challenges for me in the process of starting my own business. In short, government procedures and institutions tend to hinder rather than support entrepreneurs. 

Some of the main difficulties include: 

- Lack of financial support and tax incentives for new independent businesses. 

- Inconsistent access to basic services such as water and electricity. 

- Sudden changes in laws and regulations that create uncertainty and instability. 

5. Have you received grants or loans from international organizations in KRI? How was the process, and was it useful?   

No, I have not received any loans or grants from international organizations, nor have I benefited from such support to develop my business. This is largely because these organizations do not openly promote their services or announce opportunities in a way that makes it clear where or how to apply for financial assistance. Such support processes are crucial for new businesses, as they help encourage and empower young people who are considering working independently. 

6. What changes or support do you think are needed to help businesses grow in the KRI?  

For young people like us who are just starting to create new jobs, support from the government, organizations, and banks is essential for developing our independent businesses. Each of these institutions can play a vital role in making our work easier by providing long-term loans, resources, and opportunities for growth.