DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND GOVERNANCE IN IRAQ
PROVINCES
Nationwide
LIFE OF ACTIVITY
2003 to present
OVERVIEW
USAID works with the Government of Iraq (GOI), the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and Iraqi civil society to establish more democratic, accountable, and responsive governance for all citizens. In collaboration with Iraqi partners, USAID’s work contributes to transparency of political processes and democratic practices, more sustainable resource management, and improved basic service delivery.
USAID supports strategic, Iraqi-led reform initiatives that improve resource management, empower pragmatic leadership, and strengthen the government’s capacity to deliver basic services to all citizens. USAID liaises between central and local government and civil society organizations (CSOs) to promote greater cooperation, accountability, and citizen participation.
GOALS
Over the next five years, USAID intends to invest over $73 million in increasing the responsiveness of government to citizen needs on quality of life services, such as residential water access, solid waste management, and sanitation. To ensure that citizens have the ability to advocate for issues of concern to them, USAID intends to invest $25 million over the next five years to increase the effectiveness and credibility of Iraqi civil society in partnering with government and communities.
IMPACT
- The GOI awarded over $943 million in new public contracts to improve water, electricity, and solid waste management.
- Improvements to 72 water treatment plants serving 8.1 million people increased treatment volume by 30%.
- Six new government policies or regulations addressed climate change following public awareness campaigns by 270 CSOs and training of 110 change agents in national and local government.
- The KRG established a youth council in its four provinces to increase youth political participation and engagement in good governance.
- Thirty-five local organizations improve citizens’ understanding of electoral processes.
- The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) implemented transparent and fair elections, and addressed 139 recommendations to improve its operation and strengthen relationships with CSOs to foster higher voter turnout.
