The BEIT project — which stands for Building Equitable and Inclusive Transformation — is pushing forward major efforts to fix Iraq’s housing shortage and improve job opportunities. This week, the project held its second Steering Committee Meeting in Baghdad, where officials talked about the progress made and what comes next.
Dr. Mohamed Mohsen Al Sayed from the Ministry of Planning opened the meeting by saying the project is an important step toward providing affordable and decent housing for Iraqis. He explained that the BEIT project brings together the Ministry of Planning, other government bodies, and international organizations to tackle the housing crisis in a serious and practical way.
The project is funded by the European Union and carried out by the Ministry of Planning along with UN-Habitat, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the International Trade Centre (ITC). Together, they are working to make housing more affordable, create jobs, improve working conditions, and support a stronger, greener construction sector.
Ali Al-Naseri from the EU Delegation said the European Union is supporting an approach that brings together social protection, decent work, and climate-friendly growth. He stressed that the goal is not only to improve governance but also to make sure that communities are part of Iraq’s recovery.
Real progress in 2025
The past year saw major achievements. One of the biggest was the launch of the Iraq National Housing Policy in October, created with support from UN-Habitat. This policy shows the government is serious about providing sustainable and affordable housing across the country.
The next big step is putting the policy into action. That includes building 200 pilot housing units in Mosul and Ramadi. These homes will follow green, affordable standards and show how modern housing can help close Iraq’s large housing gap.
Housing projects also create jobs — and that’s where the ILO comes in. In 2025, more than 700 officials, workers, and employers received training on better working conditions, worker safety, and labour rights. Thousands more learned about workplace safety through the ILO’s national “Safe Work” campaign. The ILO also finalized a roadmap for the National Public Works Programme, held Iraq’s first conference on heat stress in the workplace, created a task force on child labour, and launched the National Forum for Social Dialogue.
On the construction side, the ITC is helping Iraq improve the way the sector operates. This includes reforms to attract investment, upgrading procurement systems, and studying the construction market to help small and medium-sized businesses grow. ITC also launched a tool called “AuditmyBEIT,” which helps measure a building’s energy use. This tool will support Iraq’s shift toward clean energy. The ITC is also training people in solar power, thermal insulation, and building upgrades to help develop climate-resilient construction skills.
Working together for real, lasting change
The Steering Committee meeting gave all partners a chance to review progress and agree on the next steps. The shared goal is clear: build affordable homes, create decent jobs, strengthen the construction sector, and support a more climate-resilient and inclusive economy.
All partners reaffirmed their commitment to expand pilot housing projects, improve construction standards, and keep pushing for fair and safe work conditions across Iraq.
About BEIT
The BEIT project is funded by the European Union and carried out by UN-Habitat, the ILO, and the ITC. Its main aim is to support Iraq’s growth by creating decent job opportunities and advancing affordable, sustainable housing — while helping strengthen the country’s construction sector for the future.
