Iraq Civil Society and Independent Media Support Program (ICSP)

ICSP fosters participatory and democratic governance in Iraq by strengthening civil society’s role in the country’s economic, political and social development. ADF works directly with Iraqi civil society organizations (CSOs) to bolster their capacity to be effective citizen-based interest groups and claim a leading role in enhancing local governance and participating in national policy-making processes. Almost 2000 Iraqi CSOs have directly participated and benefited from ICSP programs and these CSOs have in turn engaged many more thousands of other Iraqi citizens, organizations and government institutions. This successful U.S. NGO-managed program supports Iraqi efforts to strengthen civil society and promote democratic governance. Example of success: Iraqi CSOs successfully advocated for adoption of 13 specific anti-corruption provisions reflected in the Iraqi Constitution. ICSP implemented campaigns that mobilized hundreds of Iraqi CSOs through workshops, forums and conferences to review the draft Constitution, identify needed changes, and advocate successfully for the adoption of over two dozen human rights, women’s advocacy and anti-corruption provisions in the new Constitution. ICSP staff and advisors provided technical assistance and support for CSO involvement in formulating proposals for the Constitutional Review process that is currently underway.