Thematic Areas
Explore the sectors Jawtana focuses on to drive community impact.
Thematic Areas
At Jawtana, we believe that tackling complex challenges requires a singular foundation: providing language and knowledge resources that empower communities to lead their change. We embed this approach into every thematic area, ensuring our work is not only relevant today but sustainable for the future.
The Kurdistan Region is already feeling the profound impacts of climate change, with rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall. Projections suggest a 25% reduction in rainfall by 2050, further exacerbating water scarcity, while damming in neighbouring countries is expected to reduce river flows by up to 50% by 2030. These risks disproportionately affect rural communities and vulnerable groups, leading to food insecurity and economic displacement.
We work to make climate knowledge accessible in Kurdish, from technical vocabulary to farmer-friendly guides on sustainable agriculture. By localising research, creating climate-focused learning materials, and strengthening institutional capacity for climate adaptation, we help communities understand risks, adopt smart solutions like greenhouse farming, and build resilience in the face of environmental change.
For education to succeed, it must be relevant, inclusive, and rooted in a learnerās language and context. Yet, across Kurdistan, a significant mismatch persists between the classroom and the real world. Graduates often lack the critical thinking and soft skills needed for the job market, and challenges like insufficient instructional time hinder progress.
We address this by developing Kurdish-language curricula, training educators in modern, learner-centred methods, and creating digital and physical resources aligned to local realities. Our work bridges the gap between theory and practice, ensuring learners of all ages gain the skills, confidence, and critical thinking to thrive in a changing world.
Kurdistanās young population holds immense entrepreneurial potential, but high unemployment and a lack of access to resources block many from starting or growing a business. Youth unemployment is an alarming 37.2%, with a significant gender disparity. Complex regulations and a lack of capital further hinder the transition to a modern, private-sector-led economy.
We translate and localise business resources into Kurdish, build sector-specific training programs, and connect aspiring entrepreneurs with mentors and networks. By supporting green, inclusive, and innovative business models, we help create jobs, diversify the economy, and ensure women, rural youth, and other underrepresented groups can participate fully in economic growth.
Digital technology offers powerful tools for learning and innovation, but only if people can access them in their own language and with the right skills. While the Kurdistan Region has a more developed internet infrastructure than the rest of Iraq, a significant digital divide persists between urban and rural areas. Government initiatives like "MyAccount" and "KRDPASS" highlight the ongoing need for a digitally literate population.
We develop digital platforms, AI-powered language tools, and e-learning systems that put Kurdish at the centre of the digital experience. We also run training programs to improve digital literacy, enabling individuals and institutions to use technology confidently, creatively, and responsibly. Our goal is to ensure the digital transformation in Kurdistan is inclusive and equitable.
Lasting change requires strong systems and supportive laws. Too often, language, education, and knowledge issues are treated as secondary in policymaking. A lack of a clear formal language policy in the KRI can lead to conflicts over linguistic rights, while bureaucratic inefficiencies hinder institutional reforms.
We work with public authorities, universities, and civil society to integrate Kurdish language, open knowledge, and inclusive learning into institutional strategies and legal frameworks. Through evidence-based advocacy, policy proposals, and public engagement, we push for reforms that protect linguistic rights and expand access to education, ensuring the progress we achieve is embedded in Kurdistanās governance for generations to come.
Thematic Areas of Our Work
1. Climate Change and Environmental Resilience
2. Pedagogy and Education
3. Business and Entrepreneurship
4. Technological Transformation and Digital Literacy
5. Policy and Institutional Reform
Join the Mission
Support inclusive access to learning and development in Kurdistan.