Iraq, LOGOReP II: the Second Local Government Resilience Programme

Objective:

The wider objective of the project was to improve prospects for refugees and vulnerable host communities by improving resilience of local authorities and communities in Iraq.

The specific objective of the project was to increase access of Iraqis from host, IDP and refugee communities to improved basic services and by contributing to extra job opportunities.

The results of the project were:

(i) the number of IDPs, Refugees and Host Community members directly benefiting from improved serviced delivery and with increase access to income generating opportunities in the target area;
(II) the number of municipalities benefitting from improved services and infrastructure;
(III) the number of people who consider the infrastructure project has a beneficial impact on their daily activities.

LOGOReP II focused on connecting humanitarian aid and subnational governments to long-term solutions that serve all, especially the most vulnerable, according to their (inter)national rights and standards. LOGOReP II targeted Iraqi sub-national governments, because they are the ones that are both mandated ánd positioned to make the sustainable connection between short-term needs and long-term solutions. It built on the extensive experiences of LOGOReP in Jordan and Lebanon by focusing efforts on anchoring proofs of concepts at higher levels of Iraqi governments and by finding synergies with other implementing and international development partners in order to leverage further development investments.

To achieve our main objective to improve resilience of local authorities and communities in Iraq, the first and second component worked towards increased access of host populations, IDPs and refugees to basic services. Therefore, under this component the immediate goal was to increase the number of crisis impacted people that directly benefit from improved services such as transportation and mobility, public spaces and other kinds of services. Component three of this project aimed to enhance the accessibility of job opportunities and business development for both host and refugee populations.

Outcome 1: To improve the capacities of (sub)national authorities to engage in area-based planning and consider different scenarios that respond to the needs of host, refugees and IDP populations
1.1 (sub)national authorities design Development Visions
1.2 (sub)national authorities cooperate with host, IDP and refugee populations on issues related to development planning
1.3 (sub)national authorities have a functioning Geographical Information System (GIS) and inter-departmental connections are established
1.4 (sub)national authorities in Ninevah has the capacity to work with GIS
1.5 (sub)national authorities in Ninevah and the KRI exchange knowledge

Outcome 2: To empower (sub)national authorities to create economic opportunities through better access of municipal investment that benefit host, refugee and IDP populations.
2.1 (sub)national authorities identify investment projects and design investment catalogues together with the municipality
2.2 Quick win construction projects are designed

Outcome 3: Host populations and refugees have better access to job opportunities and/or business development (fully implemented by DRC)
3.1 Digital economy curriculum tailored to the needs of Kurdistan Region of Iraq is developed
3.2 Training of Trainers for MoLSA staff on digital skills carried out
3.3 Digital economy curricula delivered to vocational training students by MoLSA trainers
3.4 Business and financial management skills training delivered
3.5 Entrepreneurship support delivered
3.4 Quick win construction projects constructed

Activities:

• Development of Development Visions and Investment Catalogues for municipalities;
• Trainings for General Directorate of Urban Planning staff (part of Ministry of Muncipalities) on Urban Planning;
• Supporting the development of spatial plans for affordable, speedy and safe access to work, commercial, and social destinations;
• Provide asssistance to entrepeneurs and small and medium size enterprises in organising themselves, connecting to commercial networks and improving their market access;
• Enhancing community awareness and social cohesion;
• Providing investments and pilots for LOGOReP’s areas of intervention (improved service delivery and improved local economic development) to accompany the technical assistance provided;
• Providing sustainability guide and plan;
• How-to-manual for urban planning.