The programme aims at strengthening the institutional and human capacity of the Education Sector in Iraq to deliver quality education through the promotion of civic values and life skills among education providers, public sector managers/decision makers/legislators and young people (age group 12-19).  The promotion of civic values and life skills among the targeted beneficiaries is expected to facilitate and improve the access to education of vulnerable and marginalized groups, as well as enhance youth personal and social skills, which would place them on a better footing and enable them to pursue their own educational, cultural and later on career development schemes.  This would allow an increase in personal income, improve welfare and help reduce poverty rates.  Significantly, life skills activities will be geared towards assisting young people to contribute to their own protection from abuse and exploitation.

The programme will be implemented in partnership with the central Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Human Rights, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, as well as with the KRG Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Human Rights and the Ministry of Sports and Youth.  It will contribute to Human development and Human Security (NDS 7.1 and ICI 4.4) through the development and dissemination of new educational materials and encouraging life-long professional development of educational staff (NDS 7.7 (d&f)) and will be implemented in line with the framework set by the National Education Strategy.

The envisioned capacity building activities will be based on a strong institutional analytical component which will lead to the development of a specific action plan for promoting civic values and life skills on the national level.  Specific educational, training and awareness raising materials and curricula will be developed in the prospect of promoting civic values within different governorates, pilot schools and institutions, that serve to reinforce a sense of “national identity”, citizenship and promote human rights - including gender equality - in Iraq.