Chapter 2: Government as Knowledge Brokers to Nurture Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: The Case of Baghdad as a Creative City

Post-conflict societies face unique and pressing challenges as they work toward economic recovery and long-term stability. War, political upheaval, and societal fragmentation often leave behind weakened institutions, damaged infrastructure, and a fragile economy. In such settings, fostering entrepreneurship can play a critical role in driving economic regeneration, creating jobs, and promoting social cohesion (Brück et al., 2013). However, entrepreneurship does not develop in isolation; it requires a supportive ecosystem – a network of institutions, organizations, and individuals that collaborate to provide the resources, knowledge, and conditions necessary for new ventures to flourish (Spigel, 2017).

Entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) are seen as crucial platforms for enabling innovation and economic growth (Isenberg, 2010). In post-conflict cities, the creation of such ecosystems can facilitate not only economic recovery but also peacebuilding and social reconstruction. However, building these ecosystems in contexts where infrastructure is damaged, trust is eroded, and social networks are fragmented requires efforts, particularly from the government.