Kurdistan Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It empowers young people, advances education and promotes sustainability, and it convenes World Youth Summit-Kurdistan 2026.
When people feel connected to their communities, recognised for who they are and supported in their journey, the foundation for progress is set.
The Foundation contributes to Kurdistan’s growth through three pillars: Belong, Build and Become. Its work runs through six entities, Volunteer.KRD, Jobs.KRD, Climate.KRD, Empower.KRD, 10 Problems 10 Solutions and the Youth Hub, reaching young people across the Region. It also holds an official Guinness World Record.
A sustainable, inclusive and empowered society across the Kurdistan Region.
To deliver programmes that empower individuals, protect the environment and build capacity through education, employment and community engagement.
Fostering inclusion and social cohesion.
Developing capacity and empowering people.
Inspiring active, responsible citizenship.
Each platform works with young people across the Region all year, and each brings that work to the summit.
The Youth Hub is the largest and most advanced youth centre in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq: an inclusive place to learn, connect and grow, with spaces for training, events, start-ups and community projects.
At the summitThe home of the summit and most of its sessions.
Empower.KRD delivers training and educational support for young people, families and adults. Its projects include Innovation for Hope, a free Kurdish text-to-speech tool for visually impaired people, the E-Halsangandn app with the Ministry of Education, the Kurdistan Debate championship, and the qutabxanekem.krd learning platform.
At the summitShapes the Education and Digital Transformation tracks.
Jobs.KRD tackles unemployment across the Kurdistan Region, with a vision of a future where everyone finds meaningful work and contributes to the Region’s growth. Its training covers starting a business, CV writing, interview preparation, digital skills and personal development.
At the summitBrings employers and young jobseekers to the Future of Work track.
Volunteer.KRD connects motivated people with causes and projects that need their help, strengthening social bonds and civic responsibility. Its Volunteer Club brings volunteering onto university campuses, starting at the University of Duhok.
At the summitSummit volunteering runs through the Volunteer.KRD app.
Climate.KRD protects the environment, responds to climate challenges and promotes sustainable development across the Kurdistan Region. Its work includes recycling bins across the Region, the 100 Schools Campaign for safe water and green spaces, and the Kurdistan Biodiversity Center.
At the summitLeads the Climate and Sustainable Development track.
A youth-driven initiative that helps young innovators identify challenges in their communities and develop practical solutions. Monthly cohorts work on real issues across different sectors, turning ideas into projects with mentorship and financial support.
At the summitLeads the flagship National Action Lab and the Global Space on day two.
The largest and most advanced youth centre in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq: a place where people come to learn, connect and grow, personally and professionally.