Development and Peace has been supporting initiatives in Iraq since 1990. What began as a humanitarian relief program in the wake of the First Gulf War, quickly developed into a reconstruction and development program. This progression was facilitated by the principle of our emergencies program to always involve local organizations. Many began to develop and elaborate their own programs, which Development and Peace then supported.
Iraqi civil society, and youth in particular, want to build lasting peace in their country. Through active participation, they would like to contribute to the democratization process in Iraq. However, they feel that they are missing the tools to best achieve this. Our program in Iraq aims to strengthen the capacities of local organizations and promote peace.