Youth

IRD improves youth well-being around the world with programming that supports job creation, training for employment and leadership skills, post-conflict reconciliation, sound policy development, and institutional capacity building.

The USAID-funded SERASI program is a post-conflict peace building and governance project. SERASI specifically built local capacity of public institutions, civil society organizations, and other partners in designing and implementing projects that address the causes and consequences of violent conflict through community-driven activities that promote constructive dialogue. The project facilitated greater understanding among citizens, improved communication, and helped seal lasting peace.

The Iraq Community Stabilization Program (CSP), also funded by USAID, engaged unemployed Iraqi males ages 13–30 and other groups at risk for recruitment into insurgency by enrolling them in youth activities or offering them training and employment. The youth component was widely embraced by Iraqis nationwide. Activities included a variety of sports, arts, and life skills programs, including athletic competitions, poetry festivals, art exhibits, drama, peace camps, and public debates. These activities encouraged community members to develop positive relationships and overcome ethnic and religious differences.

The Health Linkages and National Networks for Iraqis in Jordan (HLNN) is increasing the use of maternal, child, and reproductive health care services at Ministry of Health clinics by refugee Iraqi women and youth and reducing their reliance on parallel health structures. The USAID-funded project also used violence- and conflict-mitigation programs and theater to educate at-risk youth about their reproductive health options and on the issue of gender-based violence. Over 350 men and 200 youth participated in violence prevention and conflict mitigation workshops and nearly 2,000 Iraqi youth participated in skill building activities.

IRD builds confidence among youth in rule of law and local government, develops civic engagement skills among youth, and trains the next generation of leaders in the public and private sectors.The USAID-funded Iraq Community Action Program (ICAP) has been working in the Baghdad metropolitan area to facilitate citizen participation in the community development process, support nascent advocacy groups that have emerged around community interests, and work with local government agencies to respond. As roughly 20 percent of Iraqis are ages15–25, one of the most effective ways to empower communities is to engage youth.

Programs

Cambodia Food for Education

IRD is promoting primary education and reducing the incidence of hunger in 125 s... more

Child Survival in Cambodia

Funded by USAID’s Global Health bureau, IRD’s Child Survival and Health program use... more

Community Mobilization for Partnership in Schools

The Community Mobilization for Partnership in Schools (CMP) project is a five-year... more

Community Stabilization Program in Iraq

The Community Stabilization Program (CSP) helped stabilize and economically revital... more

Cultural Bridges to Reconciliation in Iraq

Iraq’s process of rebuilding internally and creating a strong democracy begins with... more

Enhancing the Value Chain Competitiveness of Sesame and Fonio in Mali and Burkina Faso

IRD is using proceeds from monetization of wheat, vegetable oil, and rice to enhanc... more

Grassroots Theater Initiative

The Grassroots Theater Initiative introduced theater founded on the “theater of the... more

Gulf Coast Community Services Center

The IRD Gulf Coast Community Service Center (GCCSC) has been rebuilding the lives o... more

Iraq Mothers and Daughters Empowerment Program

Many rural women in Iraq live in extreme poverty. Only 37 percent of rural women ca... more

Peace through Development

The Sahel region of West Africa is increasingly threatened by violent extremist gro... more

Preventing Loss of Sight in Laos

Laos had twice as many cases of childhood blindness as neighboring Thailand in 2... more

Providing At-Risk Youth with Employment & Educational Opportunity

Two major challenges on Mississippi Gulf Coast communities—challenges that were onl... more

Safe Educational Opportunities Project

Khammouane province in central Laos had one of the lowest primary school complet... more

School Repair and Restoration in Armenia

In 2005 IRD Armenia began implementing 12 small construction projects at social ins... more

Serbia Youth Center

The Belgrade Youth Center, also known as Dom Omladine, served as a venue for major... more