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Group of women in a meeting, presentation on screen. ABOUT US. Team discussion underway.

About Us

DREAMED stylized orange logo on a black background for brand identity.

At UNIDO, we are dedicated to nurturing sustainable industrial development and cultivating inclusive job opportunities on a global scale. Through our PLaCED initiative, operating under the SME Competitiveness, Quality, and Job Creation Division, we are unwavering in our commitment to addressing the unique needs of the most vulnerable groups impacted by conflict. Our firm belief lies in empowering these individuals through tailored industrial interventions, laying the groundwork for inclusive and lasting business ecosystems.
 

Our approach is centered on creating an environment that fosters a diverse and inclusive job market, ensuring that no one is left behind. By concentrating on the advancement of inclusive business ecosystems, our goal is to dismantle barriers and establish clear pathways for those affected by conflict to rebuild their lives and make meaningful contributions to their communities. Through PLaCED, UNIDO stands resolute in its dedication to championing the Leave No One Behind (LNOB) principle and advocating for the critical Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus. We envision a future where industrial development serves as a catalyst for positive change and empowerment for all.

People repair phones; following North Iraq, with refugees and host communities.
Tailored Approach

Our approach is tailor-made to the needs of beneficiaries and to existing opportunities to improve livelihoods and Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) development. Projects take into account the local resource endowment, business opportunities and skills needed by the local economy and matched with the career aspirations of the beneficiaries. 

Group of men holding certificates with white shirt in public space.
Social Cohesion

PLaCED projects promote social cohesion by ensuring that projects address the needs of individuals affected by conflicts, including persons with disabilities, refugees, internally displaced individuals, returnees, and various other vulnerable groups. Within post-crisis-affected areas, the scarcity of employment and livelihood opportunities among both the displaced and host communities can perpetuate social instability, compelling us to address these challenges comprehensively.

Young man repairing a phone at a repair shop, smiling and confident
Entrepreneurship and Technical Skills Training

UNIDO delivers quick impact entrepreneurship and technical skills training. The duration of the trainings ranges from 90 to 120 training hours for entrepreneurship trainings, and from 48 to 120 hours for skills training, depending on the competency levels to be achieved. ​The entrepreneurship training covers topics on soft and life skills and how to set up and manage the livelihood and business activity of their choice.

Man grinding metal with sparks flying while wearing safety glasses, gloves.
Equipment, Tools and Supplies

In a post-conflict environment, business financing support including loans and grants is often either absent or not available to the displaced people. To address this issue, PLaCED projects include a component to provide equipment, tools and supplies to the trained beneficiaries to help facilitate establish their livelihood and business activities. 

The team is currently looking into a possibility of combining our training programs with regular cash transfer schemes such as basic income support administered by a partner organisation.

Instructors teaching a class with students using laptops and white board in classroom setting
Capacity Building for Governments, Universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training Institutions

We capacitate our project partners (governments, local training institutions; Business Development Service (BDS) providers, either by developing/updating skills training curricula, conducting Training of Trainers, and refurbishing equipment and tools. This allows trainers and training centres to continue their activities beyond the project ensuring sustainability.

PLACED is Centered on 5 Pillars

Four people working on electronics with text in the background, workshop setting.

Tailored Approach

Our approach is tailor-made to the needs of beneficiaries and to existing opportunities to improve livelihoods and Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) development. Projects take into account the local resource endowment, business opportunities and skills needed by the local economy and matched with the career aspirations of the beneficiaries. 

Group of men holding certificates with white lab coat ABOUT US and logo.

Social Cohesion

PLaCED projects promote social cohesion by ensuring that projects address the needs of individuals affected by conflicts, including persons with disabilities, refugees, internally displaced individuals, returnees, and various other vulnerable groups. Within post-crisis-affected areas, the scarcity of employment and livelihood opportunities among both the displaced and host communities can perpetuate social instability, compelling us to address these challenges comprehensively.

Young man smiling, holding phone, working with repair tools, repair shop background.

Entrepreneurship and Technical Skills Training

UNIDO delivers quick impact entrepreneurship and technical skills training. The duration of the trainings ranges from 90 to 120 training hours for entrepreneurship trainings, and from 48 to 120 hours for skills training, depending on the competency levels to be achieved. ​The entrepreneurship training covers topics on soft and life skills and how to set up and manage the livelihood and business activity of their choice.

Man grinding metal with sparks flying at a workbench in workshop.

Equipment, Tools and Supplies

In a post-conflict environment, business financing support including loans and grants is often either absent or not available to the displaced people. To address this issue, PLaCED projects include a component to provide equipment, tools and supplies to the trained beneficiaries to help facilitate establish their livelihood and business activities. 

The team is currently looking into a possibility of combining our training programs with regular cash transfer schemes such as basic income support administered by a partner organisation.

Instructors present and collaborate with students during a training session with laptops.

Capacity Building for Governments, Universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training Institutions

We capacitate our project partners (governments, local training institutions; Business Development Service (BDS) providers, either by developing/updating skills training curricula, conducting Training of Trainers, and refurbishing equipment and tools. This allows trainers and training centres to continue their activities beyond the project ensuring sustainability.

Smiling woman in blue shirt, in front of a wooden structure ABOUT US

Target Beneficiaries

The projects are designed to address the distinct requirements of the target beneficiaries, encompassing a spectrum of individuals affected by conflicts, including persons with disabilities, refugees, internally displaced individuals, returnees, and various other vulnerable groups. Past initiatives have successfully engaged with these diverse communities, as well as vulnerable individuals within host communities such as unemployed youth and women. Additionally, our support extends to local governments, micro and small enterprises, and training institutions within these host communities, ensuring a comprehensive approach to our assistance efforts. 

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