Bringing Together Communities and Local Government in Iraq
Bringing Together Communities and Local Government in Iraq:
CHF International moves the Community Action Program into its Third Phase
Through this process, CHF International has created thousands of jobs and has implemented first steps of local democracy in hundreds of communities across Iraq.
CAP III aims now to further integrate local government into community participation. CAP III will continue to create CAGs and undertake infrastructure repair projects, and it will also implement a training program for local government with its experienced partner the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Local Iraqi government officials will be trained to understand the process of community participation in infrastructure development. This is to ensure that when the completed projects are handed over to the local government, they are sustained in the long-term, and that the future of local government and community interactions are democratic and participatory.
CAP III will continue to involve assisting civilian victims of conflict through the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund (MRIWWF).
Dr. Judith Hermanson, Senior Vice President of CHF International says: ‘Through phases I and II, the Community Action Program has been successful at increasing stability in Iraq through strengthening democratic institutions, stimulating employment and supporting sustainable livelihoods. In CAP III, we look forward to continuing this work by bringing in local government involvement at all stages in the process. CHF’s experience shows that community-driven and community-invested development is the most effective method of improving the lives of people in post-conflict zones – and now we want to ensure that these improvements are sustainable and can help create stability for the people of Iraq.’
CHF is one of four organizations implementing CAP III in Iraq.
-
$55.4 million - the value of CHF’s USAID funded CAP projects
-
639 community associations formed and trained in the CAP process
-
845 projects completed
-
90,000 Iraqis actively participated in democratic activities and processes
- 11.3 million Iraqis directly benefited from CHF CAP projects (51% women)
Area of expertise: Grassroots Capacity Building, Local Government Reform, Infrastructure & Construction, Civil Society & Capacity Development