Iraq
Search began its work in Iraq in 2016, expanding in 2018 with a fully operational office in Erbil. Collaborating closely with strategic local partners and a wide variety of stakeholders, Search Iraq focuses on social cohesion, climate change, women peace and security, gender, youth empowerment, community resilience, inclusion, and religious tolerance.
As Iraq transitions from decades of conflict into a reconstruction phase, Search Iraq prioritizes fostering social cohesion and community resilience by addressing intersectional conflict risks—including climate change—while supporting women, youth, and other vulnerable groups. Working with religious clerics, political authorities, IDPs, and host populations, Search promotes inclusive dialogue and reconciliation to create an enabling environment for stabilization.
PEACEBUILDING SERIES: CLIMATE CHANGE IN IRAQ
Iraq is classified as the fifth most vulnerable country in the world to climate change, facing significant challenges with rising temperatures, less rainfall and salinity, and frequent dust storms. Flood and drought, as well as changes in multi-year and seasonal variability, have become major risk factors of conflict – with the majority of climate conflict and security risks revolving around water. Such changes have already heavily affected communities in Iraq – especially lower-income groups.
Latest projects
Rights Advance: Improving Fundamental Freedoms and Human Rights in Iraq
The Rights Advance: Improving Fundamental Freedoms and Human Rights in Iraq is a comprehensive 30-month project that will be implemented by the Arab Institute for Human Rights (AIHR), Search for Common Ground (Search), and the Iraqi al-Amal Association (IAA). This project aims to contribute to the improvement of the rights to freedom of association and peaceful […]
Strengthening an Iraqi Community of Practice in Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance – (2023-2025)
The Iraqi Community of Practice (CoP) in Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance is a 24-month project implemented by Search for Common Ground (Search) and funded by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL). The CoP is a community of 37 organizations operating throughout Iraq. The current iteration of the […]
