Three years after the defeat of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq, the country is still painfully recovering from the aftermath of its occupation, in particular in Mosul City and in the Nineveh governorate. Although major efforts are underway to rebuild the country and jumpstart local economies, significant barriers to stabilisation endure, including security concerns, fear and trauma, lack of social cohesion and lack of livelihoods opportunities, in particular for the youth.
In this context, the Yanhad (“recover” in Arabic) project was created to foster the involvement of young people in the stabilisation process so that they become key actors of change, social cohesion and socio-economic recovery.
In line with Iraq’s Reconstruction and Development Framework, Yanhad supports Iraqi authorities’ efforts to place Iraqi youth at the core of economic development and local participation, through increased civic engagement and economic empowerment.
Through this program, Expertise France and its partners offer opportunities for Iraqi youth to constructively engage in addressing social problems within their communities by creating a strategic link between local NGOs, Mosul University Career Centers and local business incubators. More specifically, the project will help to:
• better engage local decision-makers to meet youth’s expectations and reinforce the bond of trust between the government and population;
• restore universities’ central role in producing knowledge and sharing ideas locally and nationally whilst fostering a counter-narrative that can weaken the ideology ISIS inculcated into society before and during the occupation;
• redress the impact of the current crisis and prevent future crises by fostering job creation and providing livelihoods for young people.
The Yanhad project revolves around three main areas of operation.
• Improving students’ access to more efficient career guidance services.
• Encouraging opportunities for professional work experience, employment and civic engagement.
• Extending partnership between Mosul and Nineveh Universities and a major institution for adult education (CNAM).
The project supports the universities’ ability to promote knowledge sharing, intercommunity dialogue, social cohesion and tolerance, thus contributing to the intellectual and moral revival of Mosul and Nineveh, both deeply affected by the socio-economic crisis.
• Educating young people on civic engagement with local civil society organisations (CSOs) to positively contribute to stabilisation within conflict-affected communities.
• Reinforcing the capacities of local CSOs to participate in stabilisation efforts, whilst providing civic engagement opportunities for the youth.
• Engaging youth through Iraqi CSOs in community service projects and fostering dialogue with local authorities.
• Setting up a grant mechanism to support Iraqi NGOs in the implementation of socio-economic projects.
@EF_Iraq #Yanhad project has conducted a 5-day intensive #TOT training 7-11 Feb, for 13 trainers from different civil society organisations enhancing thier skills and preparing them to provide 28 trainings for local NGOs in #Iraq.
— Expertise France in Iraq (@EF_Iraq) March 13, 2021
Funded by @EUinIraq & @CdCMAE pic.twitter.com/93JEfW1BYI
• Encouraging young entrepreneurs with local CSOs to positively contribute to stabilisation within conflict-affected communities.
• Promoting entrepreneurship culture events, pitch contests and networking sessions.
• Engaging the private sector to support youth entrepreneurship through the exchange of best practices and networking.
For further information: www.yanhad.org
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