Peacebuilding projects can have strong generative effects when being directed at the younger population, which holds the keys to the future of their communities

On September 11, 2025, Baghdad hosted a pivotal meeting of the Sub-Committee for Preventing Violent Extremism, chaired by the First Deputy Governor and attended by representatives from government institutions and civil society organizations. The discussions focused on Iraq’s 2025 Plan, emphasizing the importance of partnerships, resource mobilization, and empowering local communities to prevent extremism and strengthen social cohesion. Mercy Hands for Humanitarian Aid partici

Baghdad, 19 August 2025 – Mercy Hands held a high-level meeting with senior officials at the Ministry of Interior, alongside consultations with the Directorate for Combating Human Trafficking. The discussions were practical and focused on a shared priority: protecting children and strengthening community resilience. The meeting explored opportunities to develop child-friendly media tools and nationwide awareness campaigns on critical issues such as child marriage, violence ag

In Diyala Governorate, addressing the underlying drivers of violent extremism is essential. It is important to identify and implement effective, context-specific activities that tackle these root causes, with the goal of fostering long-term stability and enhancing social cohesion in the targeted areas. Mercy Hands for Humanitarian Aid has started implementing a project titled "Building Resilient Communities to PVE: Strengthening the Role of Youth and Women in the Prevention o

Some conversations don’t need a stage. Sometimes, it’s enough to sit around a table—with someone who has lived through displacement, someone who has returned unsure of being welcomed back, and someone who works daily on the ground—to realize that “return” is not a simple administrative process, but a deeply human equation. On July 21, 2025, the Engineers Club Hall in Mosul hosted a high-level dialogue session titled: “Reintegration, Countering Violent Extremism, and Peacebuil

In the face of accelerating climate change, Iraq is confronting profound challenges that affect millions—from internal displacement to fraying social fabrics. Mercy Hands, with the generous support of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in partnership with the Berghof Foundation and GIST, led the Strengthening Infrastructures for Peace (i4P) project implemented from May 25 to July 15, 2025. The initiative focused on understanding how climate change-driven migration infl