New phase of Netherlands-funded PROSPECTS programme in Iraq launched

PROSPECTS brings together five organizations working to enhance durable solutions in Iraq: UNHCR, UNICEF, ILO, IFC and the World Bank.

The Ambassador of the Netherlands in Iraq, Hans Sandee, and the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, Ghulam Isaczai, launched today the new phase of the Netherlands-funded PROSPECTS programme in Iraq, accompanied by the country leads of the organizations involved in the partnerships. The programme focuses on services for refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees and their host-communities in Iraq and builds on experience since 2019, in coordination with local and national authorities.

PROSPECTS is a flagship programme and example of the Netherlands’ significant support to operationalize the humanitarian-development nexus in eight different countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, and the East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region. PROSPECTS brings together five organizations working to enhance durable solutions in Iraq: UNHCR, UNICEF, ILO, IFC and the World Bank. A budget of EUR 48 million has been made available for programming in education and skills training, employment, protection, and critical infrastructure for refugees, IDPs due to conflict and host communities in Central and North Iraq over the next four years.

Among other targets, over 155,000 people displaced by conflict and members of host communities will complete their primary or secondary education (formal and non-formal) thanks to the Partnership, and over 250,000 will be retained in primary and secondary education programmes, including acceleration education programmes and early childhood education. Furthermore, the partnership will enhance access to market relevant skills training for around 5,000 young people to support smooth transition to employment. In terms of economic inclusion, over €5.2 million will be invested in target areas to promote private sector development, creating economic opportunities, enhancing access to finance to entrepreneurs and cooperatives, and promising sectors. Furthermore, using labour intensive approaches, the partnership will support the creation of over 12,000 workdays for people displaced by conflict and host communities with a focus on the green economy.

In order to enhance their protection, 40,000 refugees and asylum seekers will benefit from national civil status, identity or legal status documentation, and 50,000 will benefit from national specialized protective services, case management services and mental health and psychosocial support. Finally, in terms of infrastructure, 80,000 people displaced by conflict and host communities will be able to access basic water services that are safe and available when needed.

“Over the next five years, the Netherlands will continue to support refugees and IDPs in Iraq to deal with the many challenges they face in their lives. We will support them in accessing jobs, education, training, and support in assuring civil documentation. Furthermore, we will extend the PROSPECTS programme by including activities on water infrastructure and housing. By combining the delivery of services to support policy reforms, we aim for displaced and host communities to lead more prosperous lives”, said Hans Sandee, Ambassador of the Netherlands in Iraq.

Representing the United Nations family in Iraq, Mr Isaczai stated, "the continued support of the Netherlands for Iraq is highly appreciated, and its integrated approach enhances the provision for durable solutions for the internally displaced people and their host communities. The second phase of the PROSPECTS programme will enhance our collective efforts to find Durable Solutions for the conflict-affected IDPs in Iraq, in line with the Secretary-General’s global call to end internal displacement globally.

Thanks to the PROSPECTS programme, in its first four years, nearly 4,000 children from forcibly displaced communities have been enrolled in secondary education, more than 130 refugee entrepreneurs have accessed micro-finance loans for the first time in Iraq, and over 45,000 IDPs have obtained their civil documents.

International programmes and support to improve socio-economic conditions for the 1.1 million IDPs, 300.000 refugees and 8.000 stateless persons in Iraq remains important and a priority for the Dutch government and the United Nations.