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A Brief Overview
USAID has been a major partner in the United States Government's (USG) reconstruction and development effort in Iraq. Since March 2003, USAID has invested approximately $6.6 billion on programs designed to stabilize communities; foster economic and agricultural growth; and build the capacity of the national, local, and provincial governments to represent and respond to the needs of the Iraqi people.
Improving the Capacity of National Government Institutions
Known by its Arabic name Tatweer, which means development, USAID's National Capacity Development Program for public management works closely with the GoI to strengthen and expand the professional skills, qualifications and capabilities of public servants. USAID's capacity building activities center on delivering three results: 1) improving the skills of public administration managers; 2) improving functions in 10 key ministries, the Prime Minister's Office, the Deputy Prime Ministers' Offices, the Council of Ministers' Secretariat, and the Presidency Council; and 3) improving and expanding the GOI's training capacity.
To achieve these objectives, Tatweer enlists a cascading 'training-of-trainers' approach to build capacity within the GOI. The training concept leads to exponential growth in the number of public servants and GOI staff trained. Teams of advisors embedded in the ministries provide coaching and more direct hands-on training and technical assistance, with a focus on advancing capital budget execution.
An additional program component of Tatweer targets anti-corruption institutions in the GOI, while the subject is woven throughout all training courses.
In addition, Tatweer sponsored a scholarship program for graduate or advanced studies in public management in exchange for four years of service in the GOI through placement services by the Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation.
Strengthening the Effectiveness of Local Government
USAID's Democracy and Governance Program is a multi-faceted initiative that encourages the integration of democratic principles into all levels of Iraqi government - national, provincial, and local - to enhance the lives of Iraqis throughout the country. The program portfolio currently consists of five components:
- Community Action Program (CAP) - CAP helps communities identify and prioritize local needs, such as school renovations, literacy programs, neighborhood cleanups, and water and sewerage system rehabilitations, and then develop and implement projects that address those needs. Working directly with local councils to improve the capacity of local councils to serve constituent communities and give Iraqi citizens a voice in decisions affecting their communities. The program also provides assistance to civilian victims of war through the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund.
- Local Governance Program (LGP) - LGP III is designed to support implementation of Iraq's new law for governorates that are not incorporated into a region. Specific objectives are to define, strengthen and facilitate the operation of recognized local government bodies in relation to Iraq's prescribed governance systems by: Enabling aspects of democratic representation in recognized local government bodies; Engaging government bodies in sub-national planning processes; Promoting the constructive, informed involvement of local government bodies in budget formulation and execution processes; and Enhancing oversight functions of local government bodies.
- Elections Strengthening - USAID's Elections Strengthening Program provides training and technical assistance to the Independent Higher Electoral Commission (IHEC) of Iraq to help that institution's staff become better able to plan and administer credible elections. The project implementer offers expert advice on drafting laws and regulations, and helps develop the capacity of the provincial election offices as well as mentoring the national electoral commission staff in such areas as finance and budgeting; information technology and communications; strategic planning; political party, candidate and voter registration; outreach and voter education; procurement; human resources management; logistics; and public relations/media.
Election strengthening activities include advisory input on how to develop an election management system, identifying improvements to electoral processes, drafting a public outreach strategy, and developing plans for a permanent and sustainable voter registry.
Provincial Reconstruction Teams
The PRT platform makes it possible to assist Iraqis as they work to revive the country's economic and political sectors at sub-national levels. USAID's PRT representatives coordinate a network of partners that implement development activities in the field. With expertise in a variety of disciplines - economic development, public administration and finance, agriculture, democratic governance, and engineering, among others - USAID representatives and partners provide invaluable technical assistance to support Iraqi responses to a variety of community needs and challenges. PRTs assist in facilitating positive interactions with and among Iraqis, helping to bolster moderate factions that are committed to non-violence and promote reconciliation across sectarian divides.
- Iraq Rapid Assistance Program (IRAP) - IRAP offers grants through Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) and embedded PRTs to support activities that meet essential needs in their areas of operation. IRAP supports a wide array of Iraqi organizations, such as local indigenous groups, cooperatives, associations, informal groups, NGOs, local and provincial governments, private voluntary organizations, student groups, media, and the private sector. Activities supported by IRAP include efforts to promote reconciliation, conflict resolution and prevention; advance economic recovery with employment and vocational training; support independent media with journalist training and law reform; and provide nationwide training to regional and locally elected officials.
Expanding Private Sector Economic Opportunities
Broad economic growth driven by a strong private sector is vital to alleviating poverty and instability in Iraq. USAID's economic-growth programs work to build capacity within the Government of Iraq (GoI) by facilitating public sector reform and private sector growth, providing better access to financial services, developing private agribusinesses, and creating an enabling environment that fosters private sector development.
USAID's current portfolio of economic growth and agriculture activities includes:
- Private Sector Development -
USAID's Tijara program supports nine new Iraqi-owned microfinance institutions (MFIs) established by its predecessor Izdihar project and three international MFIs. In addition to loan capital, the program provides training, technical assistance and other capacity building. In addition, Tijara, which means "trade" in Arabic, has helped establish the Iraqi Company for Bank Guarantees. This approach has helped develop profitable lending portfolios in private banks nationwide.
In addition to trade assistance, USAID has assisted the government in standing-up a National Investment Commission. This has included helping the Commission develop by-law and implementing regulations for investment law, one-stop-shop that promote international investment in Iraq.
- Agribusiness (Inma) - Inma, which means growth in Arabic, focuses on developing Iraq's private agribusinesses by facilitating the formation of fully-integrated value chains and improving agricultural quality and production, Inma connects farmers to markets, increases the competitiveness of Iraqi agribusinesses, and facilitates domestic and foreign partnerships. On-farm soil and water management is a companion activity.
Humanitarian Assistance
The Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) within USAID facilitates and coordinates USG emergency humanitarian assistance overseas. In Iraq, OFDA provides assistance to Iraqis who have been forced to move elsewhere in the country due to sectarian strife, personal threats against their safety, or escalating violence within their communities.
Faced with more than 2.8 million internally displaced persons in Iraq, OFDA and its network of seven NGO partners are providing shelter, relief commodities (i.e., non-food items such as blankets and jerry cans), emergency health care, potable water and sanitation systems, income-generating activities, and host community/host family assistance. OFDA also coordinates relief efforts with the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees and other international organizations.
Focused Stabilization: Reducing the Incentives for Participation in Violent Conflict
USAID's Community Stabilization Program (CSP) seeks to achieve economic and social stability in urban Iraqi communities. CSP works directly with community groups, local government officials, PRTs and ePRTs to develop and implement activities that foster more productive and peaceful communities.
CSP consists of four major components:
- Community Infrastructure and Essential Services that provide short- and medium-term employment activities;
- Vocational Training and Apprenticeships that allow youth aged 17 to 35 to gain practical career experience through relevant course work;
- A Business Development Program that offers micro-grants and teaches business skills to new and existing businesses; and
- Youth Activities that engage young Iraqis through community centers, local sports clubs and neighborhood teams, drama performances, and art exhibitions.
PREVIOUS WORK IN IRAQ
USAID has been working in Iraq since 2003. Although some of USAID's original programs have been followed by newer programs that reflect changes in Iraq's political, economic and social landscape, others, such as large-scale infrastructure, are no longer part of USAID's portfolio. Below is information on many of the programs that USAID has worked on over the past few years.
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