On the 21st January 2009 the Kurdistan Regional Government enacted as part of the KRGs programs two roadmaps prepared by the Ministry of Sports and Youth. The roadmaps set the framework for the policy-making of youth and sport issues in the Kurdistan Region.

The English version of the Youth roadmap is now available and the Sports Roadmap will also soon be available in English. The Youth Roadmap, a strategic document on how to address youth related issues has been evaluated and revised by key actors of society working with youth and engaging in their problems. 

The process of drafting the Youth Roadmap has required an evaluation process by the Ministry of Sports and Youth regarding its work on how to tackle the challenges of the Kurdistan Region´s youth since the Ministry´s foundation in May 2006. The Roadmap is a strategically important document that pinpoints key factors to address and most and foremost brought forward the government´s decision to establish two new institutions, a regional Board for Youth Affairs and an Ombudsman for Children and Youth. The creation fo Sport confederation is the emerging body from the Sports Roadmap.

The Ministry of Sport and Youth applied a unique method for laying the foundation of the roadmap by issuing adds in the media, engaging NGOs and key actors of society to give feed-back on the needs and wants of the youth and their key issues to be addressed by the Kurdistan Regional Government. After compiling the incoming views the report was referred for consideration to various stakeholders. A two-day conference was held by the Ministry of Sport and Youth shortly after with among others 28 youth organisations participating. 

Addressing a number of goals the roadmap targets some challenges that the Ministry has a mission to fulfil until 2011 including the problems of illiteracy, the high level of unemployment, housing, migration, deficient education especially in regards to IT and the English language.

Another key goal is to activate youths and increase their interest in the democratic work and their role in decision-making organs. The roadmap states a recommendation of an at least 30% quota of people under 25 years among governmental employees and decision-making bodies.

The work of the Ministry of Sports and Youth is highly incorporated by the UN’s third millennium goals. Furthermore the Youth Roadmap aims to create a democratically oriented society where the youth have opportunities to promote their own interests and are active citizens who are aware of the environment, human rights and the individual and public responsibilities in society.

On 18th of June , the Minister of Sports and Youth Mr Taha Barwary met with the youth and student organisations, NGO working with youth, the joint governmental committee and the directors of MOSY in the Kurdistan Region and further discussed the work and implementation of the Youth Roadmap. They agreed to establish provincial and Regional boards consisting of all relevant bodies to work on the Roadmap. An action plan for implementation of the document has been prepared.