Test Iraq

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Middle East North Africa

iRAQ

GCERF has been investing in Iraq since 2023, supporting civil society organisations working to address the root causes of violent extremism and strengthen community resilience in a context marked by prolonged conflict, instability, and the ongoing challenges associated with the return, rehabilitation, and reintegration of Iraqi nationals from camps in North-East Syria, as well as persistent threats linked to regional insecurity and violent extremist groups.

  • locationCreated with Sketch Beta.
  • Ninewa
  • Al Anbar
  • Babylon
  • Diyala
Background and Context
Country Snapshot
Key Results
Investment Strategy
Story of Change
Background & Context

Understanding Violent
 Extremism in Iraq

Despite continuous efforts by a wide range of stakeholders supporting the government of Iraq, violent extremism remains a major threat to Iraq’s national security and stability. Iraq adopted a national strategy for preventing and countering violent extremism and has put in place action plans at the level of the governorates through the countering violent extremism sub-committees. Iraq also faces another major challenge posed by the camps in North-East Syria (NES) containing Iraqi nationals. Beyond their threat to national, regional, and global stability, Iraq is committed to the return, rehabilitation, and reintegration of large numbers of Iraqi families coming from these camps.

GCERF'S UNIQUE INVESTMENT MODEL

Country
 Support Mechanism

GCERF pioneers a unique model of investment designed to promote a whole-of-society approach and ensure the sustainability of our programmes. Under this model, in each partner country, we support national governments in establishing a steering committee called the Country Support Mechanism (CSM).

In Iraq, CSM is chaired by the Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Violent Extremism (NCCVE) under the office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA). In addition to engaging NCCVE that brings together relevant government agencies and CSOs, GCERF also engages donor representatives. CSM provides strategic direction for the programmes, ensure results and progressively inherits ownership of funding community-level efforts to prevent violent extremism.

Download Country Snapshot
Key Drivers of Violent Extremism
Inter-ethnic and religious conflicts

Violent extremist groups exploit existing and emerging conflicts to increase their grip on communities.

Challenges in rehabilitation and reintegration of returnees

Returnees from the areas formerly held by VE groups and families associated with VE groups face a challenge in reintegrating with the original communities.

Socioeconomic marginalisation characterised by unemployment

Post-war economic instability, corruption, and oil dependency have weakened the economy and increased unemployment.

Results at a Glance

Key Results

Total amount invested (USD)
$ 0 M
Grants
0
Civil society organisations
0
Frontline workers (MHPSS service providers, social workers, teachers, local institution officials) trained to enhance preparedness and strengthen capacity to support returnees
0 +
Returnee women and young people at-risk of radicalisation equipped with vocational skills and entrepreneurship support to facilitate sustainable reintegration into communities
0 +
Returnee children supported with direct services (education, legal, psychological) to facilitate their effective reintegration into the communities
0 +
Returnee women and children supported with legal, administrative, educational, livelihood and psychological support for their effective rehabilitation and reintegration
0 +

Investment & grant figures updated May 2026 · Programme results updated December 2025

Our Approach

Investment Strategy in Iraq

Community trust icon
Support the rehabilitation and reintegration of people returning from Northeast Syria
Support the implementation of the national strategy to prevent violent extremism within the defined governorate and district level plans of action
Our IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS

Active Grants in Iraq

Current Grants 2 Active
01 Aid Gate Organization
▼
Grant Overview
Amount
USD 999,999
Duration
Jan 2024 – Dec 2026
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
Aid Gate Organisation (AGO)
Sub-Recipients
Dream Organisation
Human Line Foundation (HLF)
Programme Objectives
1
Enhance returnees capacity to re-integrate into communities of return.
2
Increase youth and community stakeholder action on PVE and reintegration.
3
Improve community resilience and acceptance of returnees.
Areas of Implementation
Diyala Anbar Ninewa
02 Ashour Iraqi Foundation for Relief and Development
▼
Grant Overview
Amount
USD 999,981
Duration
Jan 2024 – Jun 2026
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
Ashour Iraqi Foundation for Relief and Development (ARD)
Sub-Recipients
Hebaa Foundation for Sustainable Development (HFSD)
Programme Objectives
1
Foster the VE and PVE knowledge production and sharing with PVE stakeholders in civil society, education, and government.
2
Increase local CSO (Civil Society Organisation) technical skills.
3
Increase market-oriented skills and access to livelihood opportunities for at-risk youth and women in VE affected areas.
4
Strengthen community (including host and returnees) acceptance towards co-existence.
Areas of Implementation
Ninewa Babylon Diyala
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