.jpg)
As part of its program called Youth-Oriented Innovative Employment and Livelihoods towards Durable Solutions (YIELDS), Mercy Corps partnered with MSELECT in conducting market-systems research in urban areas of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. The research was conducted for existing non-tech start-ups and companies to identify barriers and gaps in providing quality services and products, creating gig economy and tech-based employment, and supporting MSMEs.
This provided the knowledge that helps Mercy Corps to maximize digital technology opportunities in the non-digital sector by identifying and working with interested companies who can grow, hire more employees, and provide needed local services. The main objectives were to investigate the technology development sector's ability to create new high-tech job opportunities, and evaluating the IDPs and Refugees' ability to utilize these job opportunities