LocationsSupport and future prospects
May 27, 2025
Marwa 35 years never imagined she would become the catalyst for a waste recycling initiative in Iraq. As she walked the streets of Diyala, watching garbage mounds grow taller each day, one persistent question occupied her thoughts: "Why aren't we harnessing this potential wealth?" This simple yet profound question planted the seed of an audacious idea in the young engineer's mind - one that would transform her city into a symbol of environmental innovation.
Marwa's research revealed a remarkable solution: worms could convert organic waste into valuable compost. She named her project "Douira" (Arabic means 'to re-cycle'), representing the continuous process of waste transformation into agricultural fertilizer. Though her journey was challenging, Marwa's unwavering determination, supported by her family, ultimately brought her vision to life.
The Great Challenge
When Marwa announced her project, she was met with skepticism and ridicule from the community especially when she explained her idea, which some dismissed as impossible. Though the comments saddened her, Marwa refused to give up. Instead, they fueled her determination to prove the project’s worth. Even her own family was hesitant at first, as the concept was entirely new and unfamiliar in Iraq. However, she refused to be discouraged and was determined to change the negative perceptions others tried to impose on her.
One morning day, Marwa opened the worm incubator and found the first batch of organic fertilizer fully processed. Tears of joy streamed down her cheeks as she held a handful of this "black gold" in her fingers, she explained: "Organic fertilizers are natural, safe, and a sustainable choice for agriculture. They enhance soil fertility, increase nutrient content, reduce acidity, and improve soil structure promoting better water absorption."
She describes the core concept of her project, which revolves around:
- Carefully sorting waste into dedicated, separate containers
- Placing it in a specialized incubator containing specific worm species, maintained in optimal humid conditions
- Each 1kg of worms produces 250g of organic fertilizer daily
- Separating the compost for agricultural use while recycling the worms for continuous production
Marwa said: "Using organic fertilizer is a crucial step toward a greener world. It's an excellent alternative to chemical fertilizers that damage soil health."
Despite financial and social challenges, her determination became the foundation for launching the project - which ultimately enabled its growth and success.
Support and Future Prospects
Supported by United Nations Development Programme’s Building Resilience through Employment Promotion (BREP) programme, in partnership with the Humanitarian Relief Foundation (HRF) with generous funding from the German government through KfW Development Bank, Marwa was able to expand her project. She began supplying organic fertilizer to farmers in Diyala, significantly enhancing soil fertility while delivering substantial economic and environmental benefits, with plans to scale "Douira" to new regions and develop additional organic fertilizer products, Marwa's future looks exceptionally promising.
Today, her project generates substantial profits while earning deep community respect. Residents view Marwa as a driving force for positive environmental and social change.
Her story transcends personal achievement, it's part of a larger UNDP-led initiative to rebuild Iraq by, creating greener environment and establishing sustainable stability
Marwa's journey demonstrates how unwavering determination can transform daunting challenges into impactful solutions. It stands as living proof that every green revolution begins with a single courageous idea.