The project ‘Supporting Recovery and Stability in Iraq through Local Development’ (SRS-LD) Project is funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP Iraq.

It aims to assist the Government of Iraq (GoI) in restoring the legitimacy of the country's institutions and updating the social contract between the citizens and the state. The Project objectives are in line with the priorities set out in the EU Strategy for Iraq endorsed by the EU Member States in January 2018 and the provisions of the EU-Iraq Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). The Project is fully compliant with the objectives of the National Development Plan of the Government of Iraq. It contributes to the progressive achievement of the SDG 11, while promoting progress towards SDG 5, SDG 7 and SDG 8.

The Civil Society Component of the SRS-LD project: Experience from LADP II has demonstrated that the CSOs in Iraq work through small grants mainly on activities related to environment, livelihoods, refugees and IDPs as well as culture and are actively engaged at the community level. The establishment of more structured mechanisms for the participation of the civil society is needed to allow the sector to function as key driver for local development and as a check on local government transparency and accountability.

The Local Civil Society Dialogue Grant Scheme (LCSD) – Part I

As part of the measures under the SRS-LD project, the LCSD Grant Scheme – Part I: CSO Actions at Cluster Level is implemented in nine Iraqi governorates (Anbar, Basrah, Duhok, Erbil, Misan, Nineveh, Salah al-Din, Sulaimaniya, and Thi Qar) and aims at supporting financially proposals of non-governmental and other civil society organisations focused on:

• Intensifying the dialogue between CSOs, academics and public institutions on further democratisation and socioeconomic development of Iraq, so the country can continue to make progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in midterm and long-term perspective,
• Promoting and empowering the instrumental role of the civil society at local level in the development and monitoring of public policies of critical importance for the community, including but not limited to socioeconomic integration of youth, women and vulnerable groups, and
• Supporting the authorised public institutions in the provision of urgent and efficient response to COVID-19 pandemic and its implications on the socioeconomic life in a comprehensive as well as equitable and inclusive way, so that no one is left out.

The Civil Society Support Team (CSST)

In parallel to the financial support under the LCSD Grant Scheme, a team of highly qualified professionals will provide:

• To potential applicants:
  • Capacity to introduce efficient methods and tools for sustaining the local cross-sectorial dialogue between civil society organisations and relevant public institutions,
  • Knowledge about effective approaches in establishing beneficial for the community partnerships with local authorities, universities, media and other businesses,
  • Consultations on CSO networking and support mobilisation for socially important causes and community initiatives at local level,
  • Technical support in development of ready-to-submit project proposals (full applications);
• To awarded grand beneficiaries:
  • Consultations on project management, implementation and reporting (narrative and financial),
  • Assistance in secondary procurement of services and supplies for the action,
  • Expert support in ensuring project visibility and promotion of the results achieved,
  • Professional guidance in preparing and conducting advocacy and lobbing campaigns at local level.

Objectives

• The global objective of this CFP is to contribute to the stability and further socio-economic development of Iraq.
• The specific objective of this CFP is to support the involvement of the CSOs in mobilising support for improving the living conditions at local level.

Priorities

The priorities (P) of the CFP are:

• Provision of quality public services accessible for everybody.
• Socioeconomic integration of youth, women, and vulnerable groups (including through measures for increasing their functional literacy and employability).
• Protection of environment and sustainable management of natural resources.
• Mobilisation of volunteers and broad community support in addressing issues of critical societal importance at local level.
• Implementation of innovative ideas and alternative modalities complementing the measures of urgent response to COVID-19 pandemic and addressing its midterm and long-term consequences.

For more information, visit UNDP.