The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Enterprise Development Fund (EDF) is an innovative livelihoods approach to contribute to economic recovery and private sector revitalization in Iraq through tailored support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The EDF aims to restore and develop essential economic infrastructure by providing financial capital to SMEs (2–30 employees) in primary and secondary economic sectors. By targeting key sectors and providing necessary funding, the EDF encourages rapid but also large- scale job creation. The goal of EDF is to support SMEs so as to enable them to recover and expand their businesses after the 2014–2017 conflict, as well as to facilitate rapid job creation that meets decent work criteria.  

In late 2020, IOM will undertake a round of EDF specifically targeting women-owned and women staffed businesses, to increase the representation of female business owners among IOM’s grant recipients. To better inform the EDF round focusing on the proposed groups, IOM undertook a study to advise the different stages of the EDF process and adapt it specifically to the women’s needs.