USAID/Iraq Community Action Program - Making Change Happen: Celebrating Four Years of Program Implementation 2008-2012
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USAID/Iraq Community Action Program Making Change Happen: Celebrating Four Years of Program Implementation 2008–2012 Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development Implemented by ACDI/VOCA in Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninawa and Salah ad Din
ACDI/VOCA’s approach to the USAID/Iraq Community Action Program Build the capacity of ordinary citizens to actively participate in advocating and obtaining resources for priority community needs and instill a sustainable culture of participatory decision-making in local government.
“Each aspect of the USAID/Iraq Community Action Program is like a
road sign… We Iraqis are moving on the highway from authority to
democracy and these signs help guide us, though we ultimately must
choose our own path.”
—Diyala local government representative
Table of Contents USAID/Iraq Community Action Program Key Achievements. . . . . . . 3 The USAID/Iraq Community Action Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Stakeholder Participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Strengthening Local Government. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Economic Livelihood Improvement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Mobilizing Vulnerable Populations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Paving the Way to the Future. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Program Partners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Key Achievements
70
Local Councils mobilized
80
Community groups created
197
Public meetings held by
Local Councils for 8,750 people
391
Community projects completed
474
Small businesses established
with “kick-start” grants
2,148
Community activists and local
government members trained
2,651
Youth gained on-the-job experience
through apprenticeships
20,857
Short and long-term jobs created
$27.5 Million
Cost-share and leverage by public and private partners
The USAID/Iraq Community Action Program 4 | USAID/Iraq Community Action Program
Making Change Happen
The goal of the USAID/Iraq Community Action Program USAID/Iraq Community Action Program
is to enhance Iraqi civil society and local government’s ACDI/VOCA AoR
ability to meet citizens’ needs. Implemented by ACDI/
VOCA and funded by the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID), the four-year program is now in
its final year.
The program has sought to link citizen groups, non-govern-
mental organizations (NGOs) and government leaders in
vulnerable areas of Iraq to solve socioeconomic problems
through community-driven projects.
By helping give Iraqis the courage to speak out and dream
about a better future, the program empowers communities
to make those dreams reality in a manner that is sustainable
beyond the end of the program.
The program has had an impact on millions of Iraqis. It
is a program that inspires and changes. It’s about Sabira*,
a citizen advocate assisting vulnerable minorities. It’s about
Amir, a local government leader who believes in social
justice and public participation. It’s about Fatima, a young
lawyer practicing human rights law and earning the
The program mobilizes partner communities through the
recognition of her once-disapproving father. It’s about
formation of volunteer citizens groups who receive capacity
Nazar, a displaced farmer finding his voice and being
building training and funding from USAID. They learn
elected to represent his community. It’s about helping
how to identify needs and how to work with local govern-
Iraqis re-engage in a vibrant civil society. It’s about helping
ment to propose, plan and implement projects.
them rebuild their country and create a different future
for themselves and succeeding generations.
Objective Two: Local executive and representative govern-
ment in USAID/Iraq Community Action Program commu-
*Given ongoing security concerns in Iraq, only first names
nities better meet the articulated needs of the community
are given throughout this book to protect the identify of
beneficiaries, except for senior government officials. In some The program focuses on building the capacity of local
cases aliases are used or a person’s face is not shown directly. leaders to work with citizens to identify and prioritize
Additionally, as some projects are in the same communities, community needs and effectively advocate to provincial
the same person can benefit from multiple projects authorities. Government representatives train together with
citizens, help implement projects and learn how to hold
public meetings.
USAID/Iraq Community Action
Program Objectives Objective Three: Assist civilian victims of conflict under
the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund
Active in four provinces of northern Iraq—Diyala, Kirkuk,
Ninawa and Salah ad Din—the USAID/Iraq Community The Marla Fund is a vital component of the program,
Action Program works towards the above goal through the providing assistance to innocent victims of U.S. Forces-
following objectives: Iraq operations by helping them establish and expand
small businesses.
Objective One: Communities better articulate their needs
and mobilize resources within and outside the community
to solve common problems
ACDI / VOCA | 5
The USAID/Iraq Community Action Program
Community Action
Groups
A strong stable
democratic society
Non-Governmental Local Government
Organizations Leaders
What is the USAID/Iraq Active citizen participation ensures that all people are
represented by projects. This integrative method means that
Community Action Program vulnerable populations, including those who are displaced,
Methodology? religious and ethnic minorities, women, youth and the
disabled, have full access to all program opportunities.
The USAID/Iraq Community Action Program is founded
on the idea that citizen advocacy groups, NGOs and local To ensure sustainability, monitoring and maintenance play
government representatives working together to implement a large part of project design. CAG and local council (LC)
community projects help strengthen a democratic society. members are also trained throughout the entire program
The program mobilization process begins with community
“town hall-style” meetings. At these events citizens are
educated about the program and discuss priority issues.
An open election is then held in each community in order
to form grassroots Community Action Groups. These
CAGs, as they are known, are formed by volunteer Iraqis.
CAGs and local government (LG) then partner to jointly
identify and prioritize needs based on citizen input.
Vital social, economic and infrastructure projects are
co-implemented next. Half the total cost is paid through
cost-share and leveraging contributions by Iraqi public
and private partners.
These community projects vary from health centers,
schools and bridges to small business grants and apprentice-
ship programs.
6 | USAID/Iraq Community Action Program
on topics such as advocacy, gender sensitivity, conflict The USAID/Iraq Community Action Program method-
mitigation and leadership. ology is a valuable tool for social mobilization and grass-
roots democratization. Three pillars—CAGs, LG, and
The program also partners with Iraqi NGOs in the imple- NGOs—provide sustainable and mutually reinforcing
mentation of specific projects in each province, reinforcing foundations for a new Iraq.
the vital civil society link between citizens and government.
The experience gained by USAID/ Iraq Community Action
Program partners will help Iraqi communities in the future
to advocate and meet priority issues without donor support.
“I can only express my deepest appreciation and gratitude
for the work and services the USAID/Iraq Community
Action Program has provided … which has brought us
close to each other and enhanced communication between
the community and the government.”
—Rashid, Salah ad Din Provincial Council member
ACDI / VOCA | 7
Stakeholder Participation 8 | USAID/Iraq Community Action Program
The Foundation of USAID/Iraq allowing for completion of the project. Citizen advocacy
can make all the difference.
Community Action Program
Projects is Community Buy-In Monitoring of Projects
The program has an integrative approach that fully involves All projects are regularly visited by program staff to ensure
both citizen and government stakeholders in the entire proper implementation. Also, CAGs form monitoring
project life cycle. committees to ensure local accountability and oversight
of community projects. These committees perform key
This starts in the project selection process as the public tasks such as project monitoring and community needs
speaks out about community priorities. After a project assessments. This ensures community project quality by
is approved, program staff work with CAGs and the allowing changes and improvements to projects under
government of Iraq to secure cost-share. implementation, and also ensures that the views and
perceptions of a diverse group of stakeholders are taken into
Cost-Share account for local development decisions.
As shown below, half of total funding for CAG projects
comes from the government of Iraq and local communities. Maintenance
A key part of stakeholder buy-in is long-term maintenance
One example of how committed citizens convinced the of projects. Program staff extensively train citizens and
Iraqi government to support a community priority through government officials in how to properly maintain projects.
cost-share occurred in Diyala province.
“The community has the right to participate in projects
When the budget for a public park project was too high throughout the entire cycle,” says a manager in the Kirkuk
for the program to support, the CAG advocated to the water directorate. “This includes from the proposal of the
Diyala provincial government for help. As a result, an project all the way to the monitoring process.”
additional $32,000 was allocated by the government,
Engaging
USAID/Iraq Community Action Program Communities
CAG Project Cost-Share and Leverage
The first objective of the USAID/Iraq Community Action
Government of Iraq Program is nurturing an active civil society able to identify
USAID $24,229,568 and advocate for priority community needs. It is about
$24,685,162 instilling democracy and citizen participation in decision
making at all levels of government, from the grassroots up.
Iraqis want peace. “We want to live a normal life, to
settle down with our families and live without fear,” says
Kawakib, a citizen activist. This is a shared sentiment
that bonds Iraqis of all ethnic and social backgrounds.
Since 2008 the program has been a vehicle for helping to
achieve this.
Across northern Iraq, the program has facilitated the
formation of 80 CAGs with 774 elected members. These
CAGs identify, prioritize and advocate about community
Community issues. Working in tandem with local government represen-
$580,170 tatives, CAGs co-implement vital social and economic
projects, funded by USAID and with 50 percent cost-share
from Iraqi public and private sources.
ACDI / VOCA | 9The USAID/Iraq
Stakeholder Participation
Community Action Program
CAGs were formed in open “town hall”-style meetings
where members were first elected during the beginning of
Community Action
the USAID/Iraq Community Action Program in 2008. Groups
At first, not many people attended. Jalal, a CAG member in
Ninawa, says that in the beginning, “the community’s idea of Project Prioritization
a democratic process was unclear.” But holding public meetings While town hall meetings facilitate election of CAG
started to change people’s understanding: “Now when people members, the USAID/Iraq Community Action Program has
hear there is a meeting they are eager to show up.” helped Iraqis learn that participatory democracy isn’t just
about electing representatives but also about decision making.
Now it is common for over a hundred people from all
different backgrounds to attend. In the first three years of Participants, led by CAG members, map out community
the program every CAG has held annual re-elections at resources and debate which projects are most crucial.
such meetings.
Following this often-lively exercise, community members
To date, volunteer CAGs have completed 391 projects vote on which projects will be proposed for the fiscal year.
aimed at improving local life, whether by expanding power Further public meetings are held.
supplies, establishing potable water networks or adding
classrooms to schools. This builds trust and reduces conflict The CAG is then responsible, using training it has received
among all citizens and government, who in planning, in project management, to co-implement the project in
building and monitoring projects together learn that a conjunction with local government.
strong civil society in action benefits everyone.
Projects are highly varied. Examples include: restoring
electricity grids, schools, hospitals, water and transportation
“CAGs raise awareness among people networks; building public spaces such as sports clubs and
about the need to rely on themselves. parks; agriculture-focused projects such as irrigation, seed
warehouses and nurseries; and livelihood training for youth
Citizens are learning that they have be and widows.
involved in the decision-making process.”
—Sabira, CAG member and director of a women’s rights In addition to CAGs, an important aspect of the program
center in a traditionally religious minority area in Ninawa is building NGO capacity.
The program has a formal partnership agreement with four
Democracy at Work NGOs, one in each province, who, with training and support,
provide business grants to innocent victims of conflict. Other
Democracy is a concept that’s best understood through NGOs, such as women’s rights groups, are also engaged.
experience. This is what CAGs are doing in northern Iraq,
where public participation in decision making is having Iraqis are learning that they can have a positive influence
a transformative effect on local communities. on the government, whether through citizen groups or
NGOs. This is part of the USAID/ Iraq Community Action
Under the old regime, government seldom listened to its Program legacy—the sustainable foundation of an active
citizens. CAGs are changing that. Khonawo, a CAG member civil society.
in Kirkuk, believes that progress in her community is the
result of new dialogue opened up with authorities. “Before
the establishment of our CAG there was a lack of communi- Training of CAG Members
cation with the local government, and thus it was not aware Besides gaining on-the-job experience through imple-
of citizens’ needs. Now interaction between citizens and menting projects, CAG members are trained extensively in
local authorities has drastically improved,” she says. subjects such as monitoring and maintenance, advocacy,
coalition building and conflict resolution. Based on these
trainings CAGs form subcommittees, such as monitoring
and evaluation committees, who then take on additional
10 | USAID/Iraq Community Action Programresponsibilities. CAG members also attend provincial-
level events and conferences, where they meet and network
with high-level officials.
“The most important thing I learned in training,” says
Nazar, a farmer and Salah ad Din CAG member, “was
respect and learning to listen to others.” He himself has
benefited from the program. “I believe in change; I have
now met people from other provinces, increased my
contacts and improved my social relationships.”
CAG Spotlight
Community Advocates Quratoo
The many networking events facilitated by ICAP, including
the women and youth caucuses, help solidify civil society Young men and women in Quratoo use
relationships. They ensure that citizens, whether on an their CAG to bring highly needed services
individual level or in groups, continue as empowered civil to a community in disputed territory
society advocates.
Much of Quratoo, in Diyala province, was destroyed in
With the anticipated completion of the USAID/Iraq years of conflict, and the land is now disputed between
Community Action Program in 2012, ACDI/VOCA is the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional
ensuring that CAG members, individually and in groups, Government, leading to neglect of public services.
continue as empowered civil society advocates. With
experience, training and a network of CAG and local In response, citizens, with facilitation from the USAID/Iraq
government colleagues, citizens are increasingly ready to Community Action Program, held elections to form a
lead without the program. CAG. According to Soren, the CAG chairman, the
program introduced new ideas to Quratoo. “We did
not know how the community can systematically demand
Types of CAG Projects its rights without clashing with the government.”
Transportation With activities such as public meetings, resource mapping,
Water & 1% partnership agreements and trainings, the Quratoo
Sanitation Economic CAG gained confidence. Aula, a female teacher, has been
12% (Income Generation)
re-elected to the CAG twice. “All my friends are proud
6%
Agriculture & Education
of me since I joined the CAG,” she says. “To them I am
Environment 29% their representative.” She uses her work at the CAG to
10%
“teach youth how to identify their needs.”
Over the four years since it started, Quratoo CAG has
been very successful thanks to the effort of its members.
Soren remarks that CAG members have gained greatly in
knowledge and cooperation with the local government.
He says that “attending training courses and monitoring
projects makes us feel proud and in power.”
Quratoo CAG Project Achievements:
Public Spaces • 6 projects (agriculture, electricity, health and
14%
water sectors)
Health Electricity
7% 21%
• $550,000 funding
• 17,470 beneficiaries
ACDI / VOCA | 11The USAID/Iraq
Stakeholder Participation
Community Action Program
CAG Results
• 80 CAGs established
• 93 percent of CAGs have advocated for and
“In my view, the main achievement of the received project approvals from government
USAID/Iraq Community Action Program authorities
has been the spirit of confidence built in • 98 percent have helped organize a public meeting
people to be able to communicate with with government authorities
the government … Through partnership • 5,713,655 citizens represented by CAGs
conferences, through public meetings
• 774 current CAG members including 141 women,
and through individual actions, we have 66 youth and 131 displaced returnees
gained the confidence to raise the voice
• 1,130 CAG members trained since 2008
of the people directly to the government
whenever needed.” • 118 electricity or water network projects
completed
—Jumay, Kirkuk CAG member
• 90 school projects completed
• 52 public spaces projects completed
• 29 health care projects completed
12 | USAID/Iraq Community Action ProgramNetwork CAGs veterinary laboratories, plant nurseries, floodgates and
canal rehabilitation. Citizens and government have learned
the power of networking together to achieve great results.
A Special Type of CAG to
Solve Regional Issues
Many problems are too complex for a single community
to address. For example, while the majority of people in
Diyala and Salah ad Din provinces rely on agriculture for
their livelihood, outdated farming methods, low soil quality
and poor irrigation practices lead to reduced output.
In response, a group of CAG members from across each
province formed two network CAGs focused on agriculture.
The Diyala and Salah ad Din networked CAGs have a
partnership agreement with directors and other officials
from their respective provincial agriculture directorates.
These agricultural network CAGs enable farmers to
collectively identify and communicate their needs directly
to the local government and the directorate of agriculture,
who then advocate on their behalf to the central govern-
ment. This collaboration has led to successful implementa-
tion of projects such as soil improvement, plant tissue and
ACDI / VOCA | 13The USAID/Iraq
Stakeholder Participation
Community Action Program
Training Strengthens Iraqi NGOs
“When I write a project proposal now,” says Dayla, the
director of Al-Murshed Center in Kirkuk, “I think more
about its feasibility and try to make it as realistic as possible.
I take into account our vision and mission, our staff and
our beneficiaries.” She adds that USAID/Iraq Community
Action Program training has also helped her greatly improve
their documentation process.
The director of Haraa Humanitarian Organization in
Diyala, Muthar, says that his staff ’s competence is increased.
“In project management, organization and recordkeeping
we are significantly improved”
Turning Desperation into
Creativity
The counterpart NGOs use their increased capacity to
Counterpart NGOs professionally assist innocent victims of war through
training and small business grants.
The USAID/Iraq Community Action Program partners
with four Iraqi NGOs so they can work as counterparts in One such victim, Madiha, is now managing a construction
the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund program. The materials shop with a grant provided by the program
Marla Fund helps innocent civilian victims of war who through Al Murshed Center. Her husband was badly
have been hurt either by terrorist activities or accidently by injured after being mistakenly detained and cannot now
United States military forces. work. Thanks to the grant and training provided by the
NGO, her business is successful and Madiha is “very proud
These NGOs carry out operations in identifying potential to be contributing to her family’s economic well-being for
beneficiaries for Marla Fund assistance, then implement the first time.”
projects and provide follow-up monitoring and evaluation.
Mentoring, business development and other training is Another NGO beneficiary, Suhail, was nearly killed in
provided by program staff to the NGOs during the entire crossfire between insurgents and U.S. military forces. But
process, building their capacity. he has now “turned desperation into creativity” and runs
a profitable car lubricant shop.
“NGOs are the voice of the citizens.
They are the link between the community Counterpart NGO Results
and the government.
They help develop our country, they Counterpart NGOs have successfully:
encourage people to work harder towards • implemented 20 small business grant projects
improving their lives and they raise • created 36 long-term jobs
communities’ awareness on different (22 male and 14 female)
matters that need attention.” • benefited 147 innocent victims of war
—Dayla, counterpart NGO director
14 | USAID/Iraq Community Action ProgramCounterpart NGO Spotlight
Samira, Director and Founder of Amal Al-Watan
Lending Each Other a Hand: Iraqi-founded NGO Helps
War Victims Get a New Start in Life
Samira likes helping people. She especially likes helping the disadvantaged, such
as women who have been innocent victims of the war. This is why she founded
the Iraqi NGO Amal Al-Watan, which means “hope of the nation” in Arabic.
“I started this NGO to be able to serve poor people, and especially to serve
Iraqi women,” said Samira, who is a returned refugee of 43 with two sons.
“I want to make the voice of women reach officials at the local, national and
international levels.”
One of the women Samira has helped is Yatar. Widowed two years earlier when her husband was accidently killed by an
American sniper as he went to visit his sister, Yatar sought help from Samira’s NGO. Amal Al-Watan, with support from the
USAID/Iraq Community Action Program through the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund, helped Yatar open a household
appliance store. With her son, Yatar runs the shop.
“Our lives have changed for the better,” she says. “We have a shop now, which was always my dream.”
Personal Experience Fuels Dedication
A war victim herself, Samira is particularly suited to directing an NGO dedicated to helping those affected by conflict. Following
the fall of the previous regime and widespread violence that erupted in Ninawa, Samira fled to Syria with her family in 2003.
As the insurgency waned, Samira returned to her birth city, Mosul, in 2007. In December of that year, she was kidnapped and
tortured by terrorists. After three months, a nearby military operation gave her an opportunity to escape captivity. This horrible
experience has fueled Samira’s determination to work in human rights.
Since her NGO was founded in 2008 it has held training courses for women in computers and sewing; coordinated with private
companies and the government in order to get economically disadvantaged people long-term jobs; and distributed food
donations to the needy. In 2011, following an evaluation of NGOs in Ninawa, the USAID/Iraq Community Action Program
chose to partner with Amal Al-Watan to help further build its capacity.
Samira and her staff are now utilizing the training and on-the-job experience they gained as a counterpart NGO under the
program to plan a small business loan program of their own for women and other vulnerable populations.
“The women in our community lack full rights,” says Samira. “They are half the community, they are the wives, the sisters, the
mothers. They need to have opportunity in all fields of work.” Amal Al-Watan is helping address this by giving loans to women,
as well as disabled or otherwise vulnerable men, to start their own businesses.
As Samira puts it, “Women can be managers and head government ministries because many are good leaders. But they need
support and a chance to achieve this goal.” Samira’s dedication and work with Amal Al-Watan, especially her utilization of
training and capacity building provided by the USAID/Iraq Community Action Program, means that many more Iraqi women
have that support.
“I strongly believe that NGOs can solve the conflict that exists in our community.
Spreading the value of love among all Iraqis can help resolve ethnic tension and violence.”
—Samira, counterpart NGO director
ACDI / VOCA | 15Strengthening Local Government 16 | USAID/Iraq Community Action Program
Serving the People: USAID/Iraq participation and effective local government beyond 2012.
Seventy local councils in Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninawa and Salah
Community Action Program ad Din have partnership agreements with community
Partners Learn to Follow the action groups through ICAP. An additional local council in
Mosul also participates in trainings.
Arabic Adage that “The Master
of the People is their Servant” Since the USAID/Iraq Community Action Program began,
these local councils are demonstrably more open to citizen
The second objective of the USAID/Iraq Community outreach. Over 95 percent of the USAID/Iraq Community
Action Program is making local government more respon- Action Program partner local councils have held public
sive to communities’ priorities. meetings to seek public input for planning services.”
The move from central authority to decentralized democ- “The new Iraq must be built on engagement of citizens,”
racy takes time. “Changing the dictatorial way of thinking says Salam, a local council member from Diyala. “It will
is a huge but necessary challenge,” says Sami, a Kirkuk be civil society who will be the decision makers. Even after
local government official. the program ends, the social capital being founded will
remain. From the ground on up, democratic leadership is
But change is happening. Officials are more aware and being born.”
educated, according to Ali, a mayor from Ninawa.
“Decisions are made with the contribution of the commu-
nity. We hold monthly meetings with the people and Capacity Building
make them part of the process.”
Training of government representatives is a cornerstone of
The USAID/Iraq Community Action Program local the USAID/Iraq Community Action Program. Whether
governance program focuses on building the capacity of in formal settings or in informal workshops, local council
local government representatives to work in collaboration members, other officials, and often citizens are trained
with citizens to meet priority community needs in a extensively in an interactive, participatory manner to
democratic and transparent way. facilitate network building, mutual trust and collaboration.
Small-group discussions and breakout sessions allow for
The governance program is built around joint activities— everyone’s opinion to be heard.
such as project co-implementation, on-the-job training,
partnership conferences and public meetings—that provide
learning-by-doing and link together government representa-
Formal Training
tives and citizen advocates. Such activities also build trust • Up to 50 participants from different regions of Iraq
between Iraqis, legitimize the government and help democ- attend large formal trainings on topics such as project
racy grow. cycle management, citizen outreach, transparency
and advocacy.
Local Councils On-the-Job Workshops
Local councils are Iraq’s first tier of government. They have • Small training workshops are held at the individual
power under Iraq’s provincial authority laws to recommend local council level in order to reinforce topics learned
and oversee development projects. Under the USAID/Iraq during formal trainings. These allow councils to apply
Community Action Program, local councils are the primary theoretical concepts at a local and practical level.
government representatives to receive capacity building.
They are learning to partner with citizens in order to • Training focuses the importance of building a truly
effectively plan and carry out development projects of participatory democracy.
enduring impact. • Iraqis are motivated to be engaged and take personal
responsibility for their local area development, whether
With the anticipated completion of the USAID/Iraq or not they are supported by the USAID/Iraq Commu-
Community Action Program, ACDI/VOCA is working to nity Action Program.
ensure that local council members support civil society
ACDI / VOCA | 17The USAID/Iraq Community
Strengthening Local Government
Action Program
Local Council “The USAID/Iraq Community Action
Program brings people from many back-
Employee Spotlight grounds and ethnicities together. At first,
Ali it was hard for us to communicate. Now
we can accept each other for what we do,
not who we are.
At the local council, we have started to
select projects without paying attention to
whether it is a Kurdish or Turkmen region,
or if it is a disputed area . We look at the
project as means to serve the community
and no more.”
—Sami, Kirkuk local council member
The Talkef local council in Ninawa is constantly busy—
and Ali sometimes seems to be everywhere at once.
Twenty-eight years old, Ali has been working at the
LC since starting with an internship supported by the
USAID/Iraq Community Action Program. When his
term was over, he was offered a full-time job.
Although paid a low salary, Ali loves his job. “Helping
others is interesting and I love to bring services that
help other people,” he says.
He has his sights set on the future—and possibly a
seat on the Talkef council. Ali sees himself as a part of a
new generation of “successful officials who really want Local Government—
to serve the country.”
Citizen Partnership
Partnership Agreements
Local councils and mayors sign partnership agreements with
CAGs. These agreements bring together local government
and citizens to engage in sharing information, training and
project activities. The agreements:
• Establish the working relationship between citizens
and local government in community development.
• Enable citizens to voice their concerns and negotiate
which priority projects will be supported.
• Allow the local council and mayor to democratically
and transparently respond to the community.
18 | USAID/Iraq Community Action ProgramJoint Local Council—
CAG Members
To cement the citizen-local governance bond, each local
council nominates two of its members to serve on the
community’s CAG. These joint local council-CAG
members serve as a liaison between the two groups.
Joint activities such as advocacy to provincial government
are a crucial step in building mutual trust and account-
ability. “The agreement was critical to success of the project
we prioritized,” explains Saleh, a CAG member from
Hawija. “It meant that we already had a relationship with
the local council and other important community members,
giving us the necessary contacts to convince the mayor to
accept the project.”
Provincial Partner-
ship Conferences &
Public Meetings
Building Linkages from the Local
to the Provincial Level
From 2010, the USAID/Iraq Community Action Program
has annually held provincial partnership conferences
(PPCs) to further facilitate democratic partnerships at local
and provincial levels. local council members. Iraqis, no matter their position,
are realizing the value of civic engagement.
The conferences provide a forum where local government
and citizen groups can meet directly with provincial-level “Our issues did not get resolved until the PPC was held in
officials. This allows governors, ministry officials and 2010,” says Mahdi, a CAG member. He explains that a
provincial council members to learn about their communi- project stalled due to bureaucratic delays for months after
ties’ priority service needs and networking between citizens being prioritized by the community, but the problem was
and officials. resolved at special sessions set up during the conference.
“Thanks to the PPC, for the first time a major part of our
district has electricity access,” says Mahdi with a smile.
Major Achievements of the PPCs
Have Been:
• Building partnerships between government counterparts “Public meetings are a tool for building
in disputed territories in order to improve dialogue partnership in the decisionmaking process,
and services which when officially adopted will lead
• Introducing resolutions to require local councils to to better identifying and meeting of
hold public meetings for citizen participation community needs.”
These innovative conferences bring high-level politicians —CAG member, Diyala
such as governors into direct contact with citizens and
ACDI / VOCA | 19The USAID/Iraq Community
Strengthening Local Government
Action Program
Public Meetings
Under the old Iraqi regime, the public was not encouraged
to voice their support, or lack of support, for the existing
level of essential public services.
With support from the USAID/Iraq Community Action
Program, Iraqis are now standing up for their rights in
forums such as public meetings hosted by local councils.
At the events, communities are able to directly question
government officials and express service priorities. Local
councils then follow-up by incorporating this citizen input
into their district development plans which are submitted
to the provincial government. about the participatory processes. Now, many meeting halls
are packed.
A major breakthrough occurred following the 2011 PPCs,
when Diyala and Kirkuk provincial councils, in response to Local government representatives are gaining experience
dedicated advocacy by local council and CAG members, integrating citizen’s articulated needs into their work, which
passed resolutions mandating public meetings as part of the not only enhances their legitimacy in the eyes of public but
normal development process. also demonstrates to provincial authorities the importance
of local council contribution.
Although Iraqis were initially wary of attending public
town hall meetings, they have since become enthusiastic Public meetings are thus an important tool for building
partnership and trust into the decision-making process,
leading to a more stable, democratic Iraq.
Governance Program
“It’s not just about the projects,” said one
Results
CAG member at a PPC, “but about
• 86 formal trainings building human capital.” A provincial
council member said “Conferences such
• 1,541 local council members
as this help eliminate the differences
• 71 local councils mobilized
between the public and officials in terms
• 95 percent of local councils have hosted of decision-making.”
public meetings
• 197 public meetings in 2010 and 2011 attended
by 8,750 people
• Public meetings made mandatory in Diyala
and Kirkuk provinces
• 7 provincial partnership conferences held
• Citizens directly voicing their concerns and
priorities about community development to
their government representatives
• Local government effectively incorporating
community priorities into provincial level planning
20 | USAID/Iraq Community Action ProgramSpotlight
Q&A with Dr. Amir, Local Council Chairman
The chairperson of Daquq Local Council, Dr. Amir, is a
dedicated partner of the USAID/Iraq Community Action
Program who is committed to effective and responsive local
government. The Daquq Local Council was one of the councils
that in 2011 helped influence the Kirkuk provincial council to
institutionalize public meetings. He is also a married man with
three children who comes from a town known for its tea and mosques. He has a doctorate in sociology and is a keen soccer
player who recently won a “sharpshooter” award for scoring the most goals for his team.
Since you’ve been in the LC what have you learned?
Dr. Amir: How to respond and engage to citizens needs—I’ve learned how necessary it is to hold public meetings to involve
citizens in the decision-making process so that projects can be prioritized based on community needs. Also, myself and the
other Daquq LC members have learned that we don’t represent a certain group, political party or a belief, but represent all
groups in our society.
What have you found the most challenging?
Dr. Amir: The transition process from a dictatorial system to a democratic system requires a very challenging period of change
from centralization to decentralization. We are currently in this most difficult stage.
What’s your opinion on public meetings?
Dr. Amir: Public meetings have opened new ideas and concepts and have created a collaborative spirit among society. Through
coordination with the CAG and other citizens, we are holding public meetings often to identify community service projects,
whether for funding from USAID, the government or from other resources.
I’m very impressed by the transparency among different peoples such as Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen, and among government
officials. Today, officials in charge don’t have the authority or right to make a decision alone, but must make it in coordination with
community representatives. This real participation by the government and the citizens leads to openness and increased legitimacy.
What have you gained from USAID/Iraq Community Action Program trainings and events?
Dr. Amir: I’ve learned many concepts about public participation, collaboration, advocacy, negotiation and communication. All
of this I apply in my daily work, whether it is conducting visits to villages to mediate conflicts or in dealing with the provincial
government.
Has your relationship with the provincial council improved?
Dr. Amir: My interaction with the provincial government has improved thanks to the program trainings and events. Currently,
when I go to the provincial council to represent my community, the committee heads and other members take my requests
seriously as they know they are based on citizen input.
Anything else you want to add?
Dr. Amir: There is a famous saying in Arabic “The master of people is their servant,” and this is what I try to be, a servant of
the people. I also wish that ACDI/VOCA and other USAID partners continue their support and efforts to improve Iraq. One
of the significant tasks is supporting local government to be able to respond to their citizens and develop our society. Thank
you for all your support!
ACDI / VOCA | 21Economic Livelihood Improvement 22 | USAID/Iraq Community Action Program
Improved Livelihoods Ruzicka was herself killed in Baghdad in 2005 by an
insurgent’s car bomb.
Improving Iraq is not just about politics—it requires
economic development. With USAID backing, ACDI/ In northern Iraq, the fund is administered by ACDI/VOCA
VOCA programs have helped Iraqis attain financial and is the third objective of the program—supporting
independence by setting up their own businesses and innocent victims of war. The fund allocates both personal
creating job opportunities. and community grants aimed at creating small businesses
• Through the Marla Ruzicka Iraq War Victims Fund, and provides training and capacity building to grantees in
474 small-business grants have been made that have order to ensure sustainability of the projects.
changed the lives of 2,764 innocent war victims, people
whose stories are often inspiring. Recipients are identified by CAG members and local
government partners of the USAID/Iraq Community
• The Apprenticeship Program for Youth has given 2,717 Action Program. After being accepted in the program,
young Iraqis an opportunity to gain job skills and beneficiaries undergo a training program where they learn
experience—and many the ability to find full-time how to manage a small business. This includes book-
employment. keeping, business cycle management, marketing and how to
• Investment conferences encourage private investment access microfinance and Islamic bank loans. Past successful
and business development in Iraq. beneficiaries participate in the training, giving practical
examples of how they utilized their small business loan to
• Finally, CAG projects provide short- and long-term jobs improve their lives.
and facilitate economic development in communities.
Following training, beneficiaries receive a small business
Marla Ruzicka Iraqi “kick-start” grant of up to $8,000. These grants received
from the Marla Ruzicka Fund aren’t compensation, but
War Victims Fund are support to help victims resume their lives.
Boosting Personal Initiative: Improved Livelihoods
Small Businesses Help Civilians Samad’s life has improved significantly since he received
his small business grant and training from the program,
Restarting their Lives which he used to open the filling station in 2009.
Driving north from Tikrit in Salah ad Din province,
travelers notice a sign: “Marla Petrol Station.” This small “I feel so good and happy now that I have a job that ensures
gas station, named after a young American advocate of my life,” he explains. Samad adds that he is “working on
innocent war victims’ rights, is run by Samad. expanding the station into a larger yard that integrates
selling oil and other car-related products.”
Samad was driving on the highway six years ago with his
cousins when he accidently ventured too close to an
American military convoy. Soldiers opened fire, hitting
Samad several times and causing him to crash his vehicle.
“I named my gas station after Marla
His injuries left him unable to work as a driver, and he Ruzicka when I came to know who she
was reduced to selling cigarettes on the street. was, how she came to Iraq to help those
affected by war … to provide assistance
Hope came in 2009 when Samad’s local mayor, a partner
in the USAID/Iraq Community Action Program, informed
and aid innocent victims, especially
him about the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund. women, in order to ensure a free and
decent life for them.”
The Marla Ruzicka Fund was created by the United States —Samad, Marla Fund beneficiary
Congress as a result of a young woman’s persistent efforts
on behalf of noncombatant war victims, especially Iraqi
civilians injured by Coalition Forces after 2003. Marla
ACDI / VOCA | 23Economic Livelihood Improvement
Marla Fund Spotlights
Ahmed
Ahmed, a married 32-year-old father of two girls, was driving
his taxi in Ninawa province in September 2005, when a
firefight erupted around him between American military
and armed gunmen. He attempted to drive away but was
shot several times. Ahmed escaped his burning car but had
to spend six months recovering from severe wounds.
Unable to pay for a new taxi and struggling to find a viable
job, Ahmed suffered economic, physical and psychological Ahmed has also used profits from his business to pay for new
hardship from the incident. treatments for his wounds, and his health has improved.
In 2009, after hearing about the USAID/Iraq Community “Thanks to the grant offered to me, I was able to make my
Action Program and the Marla Fund, Ahmed received training life and my family’s life much better,” explains Ahmed.
on how to run a business and opened a mobile phone retail
shop using his Marla Fund “kick-start” grant. He concludes that the Marla Fund has made a “massive
difference” in his life and thanks USAID for supporting him.
One year after receiving the grant, Ahmed was able to
establish a bigger shop at a better location, doubling his Wadha
customers and revenues. By 2011, his monthly income
averaged more than $625. Wadha, born in Salah ad Din province, lives in a house full of
children and grandchildren and surrounded by corn and bean
Ahmed credits previous experience working at a mobile plants, cows and chickens.
phone shop and the small business training provided by the
Marla Fund for his success. Tragedy came to this place normally filled with life with the
accidental killing of one of her sons in 2005. Wadha was
With two daughters to support, the income from the shop devastated. “I lost my mind and tried to leave home because
has been invaluable for Ahmed. “If I had not received the every corner reminded me of him.” Yet Wadha knew she
grant,” he explains, “it would have been very difficult to send had to support her other children.
my daughters to school.”
In 2009 she learned of the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims
Fund through which she received assistance. “The grant saved
Marla Fund Results us from the catastrophe that almost doomed us,” reports
Wadha. After receiving training provided by Marla Fund staff
on how to operate a small business, Wadha decided to open
• Project awards are up to $10,000 per individual
a shop in front of one of the area’s schools. “I knew the
and $99,000 per community project.
students needed many supplies, but before my shop there
• Projects are given to improve the health of were no places for them to go.”
innocent victims injured or disabled as a direct
result of fighting or terrorist activities. The business was immediately successful—so much so that
Wadha has since opened two other shops.
• 474 small business grant projects
• 2,764 beneficiaries While she will never forget the tragedy of her innocent
son’s death, Wadha says that, “God took my son and gave me
• 33 community projects
much more.”
• 4 counterpart Marla Fund NGOs have imple-
mented 20 projects
24 | USAID/Iraq Community Action ProgramApprenticeship
Program for Youth
Salwan, 25, was unemployed for a year after graduation.
“I felt I had nowhere to go and that I was a burden to my
family,” he says. He’s not alone. According to the United
Nations, youth unemployment in Iraq is nearly 30 percent.
Rowayda, 26, sits next to Salwan. She has been unemployed
for two years. “It is difficult to find something to spend
your time on, and it is worse when you see that your family
needs your support but you can do nothing because you
don’t have a job,” she says.
Into the Workplace: Apprentice-
ships Help Young Iraqis Acquire
Job Skills and Experience
The USAID-funded Apprenticeship Program helps Iraqi
youth break the cycle of unemployment. Since 2009, six finding employment. Despite this, nearly 40 percent of
phases of the program have been implemented, helping apprentices are females.
some 2,700 young men and women with paid placements
for four or five months in various organizations and When apprentices, especially young women, begin to work
businesses. they are able to change not only themselves but also slowly
change the perceptions of those around them. Thanks to
During their apprenticeships, youth receive training on the Apprenticeship Program, Iraqi youth are gaining
technical, professional and networking skills, as well as valuable and practical on-the-job experience, giving them
how to prepare a CV and for job interviews. They also the confidence necessary to find longterm employment.
get a monthly stipend from the program.
At the same time, apprentices’ supervisors are also given Apprenticeship Program
training in conflict resolution, leadership skills, time
management, public administration and gender equity.
for Youth Results
Apprentices are placed in a range of workplaces, from • 6 phases of the program
laboratories to human rights organizations and government • 2,717 total apprentices
ministries. “It’s a win-win situation,” claims Omed, as
host organizations’ benefit from free help and apprentices • 878 female apprentices
earn income while gaining job skills and experience. • 899 supervisors trained
• 196 host organizations participated
Women Workplace Participation
• 16 percent of recent graduates immediately
Emphasized found work
Encouraging women to enter the workforce is a major • 85 percent of recent graduates reported they
emphasis of the program. It is a challenge—especially, felt better prepared, more confident and that
according to Omed, in some of the conservative regions they would likely find long-term jobs
where females have less interaction with the world outside
their house. Young women in Iraq face many obstacles to
ACDI / VOCA | 25Economic Livelihood Improvement
Salwan apprenticed as assistant director on his first play and
is now director of “The Love Has Become Clean,” a drama
about a group of university students killed by a bomb on
their way to class. Salwan says that, “Hopefully I will be a
famous director someday!”
Rowayda adds that she “loves the spirit of collaboration at
the theater. Our acting reflects the reality of Iraq.”
Human Rights for All
Younis was until recently a depressed student with no job,
struggling to complete his studies in the winter with no heating.
But then he heard about the apprentice program from a local
CAG member. He now works at a human rights organization.
“Since I’ve been here I have witnessed many life experiences
and cases,” Younis says. He has been deeply affected by the
cases of extreme poverty the center helps with.
Apprentices in their own Words
from Theory to Practice Younis explains that equal treatment for all ethnicities is his
goal. “Because this job is a humanitarian one, I’ve made a
“Working as an apprentice has raised my ambitions,” choice not to make lots of money.”
says Niran, 23.
It’s a choice he is happy with. “We are seeing new days in
A recent graduate from the Salah ad Din College of Science, our city of Kirkuk!” Younis says, “thanks to human rights
Niran is currently an apprentice interning as a medical assistant. for all, development and reconstruction.”
She explains that her apprenticeship, supported by the
USAID/Iraq Community Action Program, has “given me
a remarkable status in my community,” and adds that she
is very happy to be working in her area of specialty.
“When I was at college, I learned my subjects theoretically,”
says Niran. “However, after signing the [apprenticeship]
contract and starting to work in the lab, I am more able
to apply the theories I learned. This makes me valuable to
the community, and I feel that I am contributing to the
development of my country.”
Community Theater Reflects
the Drama of Iraq
“When you are unemployed you have nowhere to go,”
explains Salwan. “You are a burden on your family,” he
says. “Most of my time I spent with my friends smoking
hubble-bubble [tobacco water-pipe].”
Now, along with his friend Rowayda, Salwan has a paid
internship at a theater in Ninawa province.
26 | USAID/Iraq Community Action ProgramInvestment
Conferences
One of the objectives of the USAID/Iraq Community
Action Program is enabling communities and local
councils to better mobilize outside resources for improved
service needs.
Activities are designed for long-term sustainability by
increasing community knowledge about sources of funding
for projects other than donors or the government.
There is increased awareness by officials and citizens for
utilizing private investment for funding projects. This is After implementation, rehabilitated and expanded infra-
particularly true for expensive infrastructure projects which structure projects facilitate community economic develop-
not only provide essential services but also increase employ- ment. Examples include bridges and culverts, electricity and
ment and prosperity. water networks, irrigation and other agriculture projects.
Across northern Iraq, the program has worked with
provincial investment commissions to hold investment
“Before the electricity project we had
conferences to encourage private investment in order to only one hour a day—now we have at
foster economic growth. least eight!
Jointly organized by local councils, provincial councils, This is a major improvement in our lives
CAG members and businesspeople, the conferences as we are able to run domestic appliances
provide a forum for discussing challenges and solutions and keep businesses open.”
to mobilizing private investment in Iraq.
—Beneficiary in Salah ad Din
Projects Help Improve
Infrastructure
Local Economies Rehab/Construction
Results
Infrastructure is the Driver
of Economic Growth • 225 projects
Projects completed through the USAID/Iraq Community • $75,000 on average contributed per project
Action Program, whether by CAGs or through the Marla
• Over 600 Iraqi businesses contracted
Fund, help reinvigorate local economies.
• 351 transformers supplied
Prior to project start, program engineers, procurement and
• 35 water network projects
monitoring and evaluation staff conduct environmental
impact studies. Projects are designed in consultation with • 9 irrigation projects
government ministries.
• 9 agriculture warehouses
When a project is green-lighted, the USAID/Iraq Commu- • 3 sewage projects
nity Action Program puts out a tender for local contractors,
• 2 bridges and culverts
who then hire laborers at fair wages. This ensures that
projects from the very beginning provide jobs to the • 13,353 short and long-term jobs
community.
ACDI / VOCA | 27Mobilizing Vulnerable Populations 28 | USAID/Iraq Community Action Program
A society cannot be strong that excludes part of its women with opportunities to play an active role in society.
members—only with the participation of all can a nation This is done by:
realize its true potential.
• Encouraging women’s leadership through CAGs,
local government and in community development
As a country still emerging from conflict, Iraq has
many vulnerable people. These include ethnic and • Supporting NGOs and women’s centers
religious minorities, internally displaced persons (IDPs)/
• Providing grants and training for women to start their
returnees, women, youth, the disabled and those living
own businesses
in disputed areas.
• Placing apprentices in private and public sector jobs
An Integrative • Making women’s lives better through CAG projects
Approach “I believe education is the most important thing in a
woman’s life,” says Aicha as she watches her daughter
In order to help vulnerable populations, the USAID/ Iraq playing. She hopes to become a tailor and credits the
Community Action Program takes an integrative approach training course offered at the women’s center with infusing
to all activities that are designed to empower citizens and her life with new hope. “This place which Marla helped
local government to meet community members’ needs construct for us has become my home from which I find
in a more effective manner. Those needs are often similar, my strength. I learned from this Marla project to become
with Iraqis expressing desire for better services and respon- a human being who loves life.”
sive government no matter what region or group they
come from. *As in other sections of this book, some names are changed to
protect the identity of vulnerable stakeholders
The program works to improve all communities regardless
of affiliation or status. This approach ensures that vulner-
able populations—displaced, religious and ethnic minorities, Taking the Lead:
women, youth and disabled, have full access to all program
opportunities.
Female CAG Members
Women in Iraq
Overcome Obstacles
Twenty-year-old Aicha* might not seem extraordinary
outside Iraq, but the steps she has taken to rebuild her life
are just that. Abused by her husband and his family, she
found the courage to leave him and return to her family
with her daughter. Recently Aicha joined a women’s center
in Khanaqin supported by the USAID-funded Marla
Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund, where she enrolled in a
sewing course—the first formal training she has ever
received in her life.
Aicha’s story is not uncommon in Iraq: a report by the UN
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs states
that one in four Iraqi women are subjected to violence.
Aicha, however, managed to escape a bad marriage and is
now starting to build a new life for herself and her daughter.
She is able to do this, in part, thanks to USAID/Iraq
Community Action Program activities aimed at providing
ACDI / VOCA | 29You can also read
