2018 - 2023 | Catholic Relief Services (CRS) with sub-awardees Caritas Iraq, Iraqi Al-Amal Association, and YouthBuild International | $17.8 Million
Project Snapshot
Implementing Partners: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) with sub-awardees Caritas Iraq, Iraqi Al-Amal Association, and YouthBuild International
Duration: June 2018 - September 2023
Total Estimated Assistance: $28.8 million
Locations: Ninewa Plain (Bartella, Bashiqa, Nimrod, Telesqof, Tel Kayf, Qaraqosh, and Wanna), Kirkuk, and Hawija
Overview
The violent multi-year occupation by the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in northern Iraq forced many religious and ethnic minority groups to flee, breaking up communities and exacerbating the fragility of the region. ISIS’s invasion destroyed much of the social fabric binding the diverse communities of the Ninewa Plain and western Ninewa. Lack of trust and tolerance toward IDPs in their communities of origin and in neighboring communities remains a barrier to the durable return of IDPs.
Goals
USAID’s Shared Future project supports the durable return of IDPs to the Ninewa Plain, focusing on the historic home of religious and ethnic minority communities: Bartella, Bashiqa, Nimrod, Qaraqosh, Teleskof, Tel Kayf, and Wanna, as well as Kirkuk and Hawija. Along with its partners, USAID works with youth, communities, and religious leaders to:
- Increase mutual understanding, tolerance, and trust both within their communities of origin and with other communities through the innovative “3 Bs” methodology (binding, bonding, bridging) developed by CRS.
- Improve vocational and leadership skills to help youth get good jobs or start businesses.
- Improve youth livelihood opportunities through targeted vocational training to foster sustainable income generation.
Key Results
- More than 700 youth participated and completed “Foundations Training”, which builds and strengthens leadership and life skills.
- After completing “binding” and “bonding” social cohesion sessions, 76 percent of youth participants and community leaders increased their mutual understanding, tolerance, and trust in each other and other groups.
- More than 700 participants in the youth livelihoods program completed an intensive 13-week training session on entrepreneurship and vocational skills, resulting in new businesses, internships, and job placements.
- Over 500 youth received a business start-up or professional development grant, followed by in-person and remote coaching sessions as they took their first steps in starting their own business.
