Repairing Trust and Building Business in Iraq

Rawd Muwafaq, a Yezidi man from Bashiqa, a small town in the northern Nineveh Plains region of Iraq, faced difficult situations after ISIS took control of parts of Iraq in 2014. Forced to flee for their lives, Rawd and his family spent four years in displacement, uncertain if they would ever return home.

In late 2018, after the liberation of their town, the Muwafaq family returned to Bashiqa, only to find their house burned to the ground. The town’s economy was in ruins, with many choosing to emigrate due to the persistent instability and lack of job opportunities. Yet, despite the destruction, Rawd was determined to rebuild his life in his hometown.

Rawd Muwafaq works in his grocery story in Bashiqa, Iraq. With a grant from the Shared Future project, funded by USAID and implemented by CRS, Rawd was able to purchase refrigerators and other supplies for his store.

Photo by Baraa  Abosh/CRS

Rawd worked tirelessly, taking on various jobs until he finally managed to open a small grocery shop. But he aspired to do more—to increase his income and expand his business to better serve his community.

The USAID-funded Shared Future project was launched in late 2018 to support young people like Rawd who have returned from years of displacement. The project focuses on repairing trust among ethnic and religious groups and supporting people in starting or expanding businesses.

In late 2022, Rawd saw an opportunity for growth and applied for the livelihood component of the Shared Future project. His successful application marked a turning point in his journey. During the project, Rawd participated in a three-week training where he learned about emotion management, resilience, communication skills, conflict resolution, leadership and inclusive citizenship.

“During the training and activities, I discovered that the ideas I had about certain people were completely wrong,” Rawd says. “I learned not to judge people without knowing them.”

After completing the foundation training, Rawd advanced to technical training, where he acquired essential business skills, particularly in budgeting.

“I learned how to calculate monthly profits and save,” he says. “I also learned how to deal with demanding clients.”

With USAID’s support, Rawd received $2,000 which he used to purchase two refrigerators and to stock his shop. Nowadays, Rawd says he’s proud to own a business and earn a stable income. He says it has given him a reason to stay in his hometown and his home country.

“My experience with the project was great,” Rawd says. “I met new people, learned many things, and gained valuable experience.”

A year after participating in the project, Rawd says he increased his income by 70%, and he hopes to open another shop in the future.

Shared Future is a seven-year project supporting communities who have returned from years of displacement. The project focuses on repairing trust among ethnic and religious groups and supporting young people to earn income in Iraq. The project is funded by USAID and implemented by Catholic Relief Services, Caritas Iraq, and Iraqi Al-Amal Association. 

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