Workshop on Strengthening Institutional Coordination and Understanding Reintegration Challenges in Nineveh Governorate

Donar: GCERF

The Iraqi Institution for Development (IID) organized a technical workshop titled: “The Importance of Communication and Coordination Between Ministries, Government Institutions, and Civil Society to Combat Violent Extremism in Iraq”, held on 10–11 December 2025 in Erbil, with the participation of 28 representatives from ministries, government institutions, security entities, civil society organizations, and international partners.

This workshop aimed to strengthen coordination between relevant ministries and government institutions in Nineveh Governorate and to better understand the challenges affecting the reintegration of returnees from Al-Hol camp, as one of the key issues linked to social stability and the prevention of violent extremism.

The workshop focused on analyzing the current state of institutional coordination among government actors, identifying key gaps affecting response effectiveness, and building a shared understanding of the reintegration process. It also contributed to clarifying institutional roles and responsibilities, supporting a more integrated and effective response.

Through group discussions and interactive sessions, participants identified a set of major challenges affecting reintegration efforts in Nineveh. Institutional challenges were among the most prominent, including weak coordination between ministries, overlapping mandates, lack of clear data-sharing mechanisms, and the absence of a unified database to track returnees.

Participants also highlighted administrative and legal challenges, particularly delays in issuing civil documentation and complex government procedures, which hinder returnees’ access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and employment.

At the community level, discussions addressed social acceptance challenges, including persistent stigma and community rejection of returnees, especially in certain areas, as well as the difficulties faced by returnee children in schools, such as bullying and exclusion, which negatively affect their safe and sustainable reintegration.

The workshop also examined economic challenges, including limited livelihood opportunities and insufficient economic support programs, which increase the vulnerability of returnees and affect their long-term stability.

Regarding coordination, participants noted that coordination mechanisms at the local level—particularly in Nineveh—are relatively stronger compared to the central level; however, they still require further strengthening and formalization to serve as a unified national model.

The workshop resulted in several important outcomes, including enhanced understanding among participants of the importance of institutional coordination in supporting reintegration, clearer identification of gaps and challenges, and strengthened dialogue between government entities and civil society.

Assessment results also showed a noticeable improvement in participants’ knowledge of reintegration processes and coordination mechanisms, reflecting the effectiveness of the workshop in building institutional capacity.

The workshop further identified key future directions focused on strengthening coordination among ministries, improving information-sharing mechanisms, and developing joint operational approaches to enhance response effectiveness and support the sustainable reintegration of returnees.

Through this initiative, the Iraqi Institution for Development (IID) reaffirms its commitment to supporting national efforts in Nineveh to promote sustainable reintegration and strengthen coordination mechanisms among relevant stakeholders, contributing to a more stable and cohesive society.