Attachments
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1 This value comes from the sum of the answers to “Did you hire any new workers in the last 6 months? (Number of new workers)” at midline and endline. 2 The standard deviation for this variable is 6.5 workers, and the median value is seven workers. 3 Overall, the findings align with solid evidence in the literature in favor of cash grants increasing employment in SMEs (Muraközy & Telegdy, 2023; Kersten et al., 2017; Baird et al., 2018).
Purpose of this report Iraq's path to economic recovery after conflict necessitates robust support for its business sector and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are a powerful engine for employment creation, playing a crucial role in fostering long-term economic stability, resilience and the achievement of durable solutions for displaced persons. The Enterprise Development Fund (EDF) has been instrumental in this recovery process, providing targeted financial support to SMEs across various sectors to catalyze growth and job creation. The present report shows the findings from a panel survey of Iraqi SMEs that received financial support through the EDF. The aim is to break down and analyze businesses’ advances and drawbacks over the first year after aid disbursement. The conclusions provide valuable feedback for the program and are intended to serve as a foundation for targeted interventions and overall improvements.