International Relief & Development

1621 N. Kent St, 4th Floor, Arlington, VA 22209 LlS'.4.

Iraq Community Stabilization Program Cooperative Agreement# 267-A-00-06-00503-00

Quarterly Report January 1-March 31, 2008

The successful transition of some ofBaghdacl's trash cleanup services from CSP to local municipal authorities is just one example of how CSP is helping to build the capacity ofthe Iraqi government. Pictured above: City sanitation workers formerly supported by CSP now wear uniforms identifying them with the Baghdad Aman at. TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table ofContents ...... 2

Executive Summary ...... 9

Map of Iraq ...... 12

1. Overview by City ...... 13

A. Baghdad ...... 13 Adrrrinistrative Overview ...... 13

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services ...... 13 a. Achievements ...... 13 b. Key Challenges ...... 14 c. Sector Outlook ...... 14

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships ...... 15 a. Achievements ...... 15 b. Linkages ...... 16 c. Key Challenges ...... 17 d. Sector Outlook ...... 18

Micro-Small-Medium-Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training ...... 18 a. Achievements ...... 18 b. Key Challenges ...... 20 c. Sector Outlook ...... 21

Youth Activities ...... 22 a. Achievements ...... 22 b. Key Challenges ...... 23 c. Sector Outlook ...... 24

Technical Unit ...... 24 a. Achievements ...... 24

B. Mosul ...... 27 Administrative Overview ...... 27

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services ...... 27 a. Achievements ...... 27 b. Key Challenges ...... 27

Vocation al Skills Training and Apprenticeships ...... 27 a. Achievements ...... 27 b. Sector Outlook ...... 28

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 2 l\1icro-Small-Medium-Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training ...... 28 a. Achievements ...... 28 b. Key Challenges ...... 28

Youth Activities ...... 28 a. Achievements ...... 28 b. Key Challenges ...... 28

In-Kind Contributions ...... 29 a. Achievements ...... 29 b. Sector Outlook ...... 29

C. Kirkuk ...... 30 Administrative Overview ...... 30

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services ...... 30 a. Achievements ...... 30 b. Key Challenges ...... 31 c. Sector Outlook ...... 31

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships ...... 32 a. Achievements ...... 32 b. Key Challenges ...... 32 c. Sector Outlook ...... 32

Micro-Small-Medium-Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training ...... 33 a. Achievements ...... 33 b. Key Challenges ...... 33 c. Sector Outlook ...... 34

Youth Activities ...... 34 a. Achievements ...... 34 b. Sector Outlook ...... 35

D. Fallujah ...... 36 Administrative Overview ...... 36

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services ...... 37 a. Achievements ...... 37 b. Key Challenges ...... 37 c. Sector Outlook ...... 38

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships ...... 38 a. Achievements ...... 38 b. Linkages ...... 39 c. Key Challenges ...... 39 d. Sector Outlook ...... 39

l\1icro-Small-Medium-Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training ...... 40 a. Achievements ...... 40 b. Key Challenges ...... 40 c. Sector Outlook ...... 40

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 3 Youth Activities ...... 41 a. Achievements ...... 41 b. Key Challenges ...... 41 c. Sector Outlook ...... 41

E. Ramadi ...... 42 Administrative Overview ...... 42

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services ...... 42 a. Achievements ...... 42 b. Key Challenges ...... 42 c. Sector Outlook ...... 43

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships ...... 43 a. Achievements ...... 43 b. Linkages ...... 43 c. Key Challenges ...... 43 d. Sector Outlook ...... 44

Micro-Small-Medium-Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training ...... 44 a. Achievements ...... 44 b. Key Challenges ...... 44 c. Sector Outlook ...... 45

Youth Activities ...... 45 a. Achievements ...... 45 b. Key Challenges ...... 45 c. Sector Outlook ...... 45

F. Al Qaim ...... 46 Administrative Overview ...... 46

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services ...... 46 a. Achievements ...... 46 b. Key Challenges ...... 46 c. Sector Outlook ...... 47

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships ...... 47 a. Achievements ...... 47 b. Linkages ...... 47 c. Key Challenges ...... 47 d. Sector Outlook ...... 48

Micro-Small-Medium-Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training ...... 48 a. Achievements ...... 48 b. Key Challenges ...... 48 c. Sector Outlook ...... 48

Youth Activities ...... 49 a. Achievements ...... 49 b. Key Challenges ...... 49 c. Sector Outlook ...... 49

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 4 G. Habbaniyah ...... 50 Administrative Overview ...... 50

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services ...... 50 a. Achievements ...... 50 b. Key Challenges ...... 50 c. Sector Outlook ...... 51

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships ...... 51 a. Achievements ...... 51 b. Key Challenges ...... 51 c. Sector Outlook ...... 51

Micro-Small-Medium-Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training ...... 51 a. Achievements ...... 51 b. Key Challenges ...... 52 c. Sector Outlook ...... 52

Youth Activities ...... 52 a. Achievements ...... 52 b. Key Challenges ...... 53 c. Sector Outlook ...... 53

H. Haditha ...... 54 Administrative Overview ...... 54

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services ...... 54 Achievements ...... 54 a. Sector Outlook ...... 55

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships ...... 55 a. Achievements ...... 55

Micro-Small-Medium-Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training ...... 55 a. Achievements ...... 55 b. Sector Outlook ...... 55

Youth Activities ...... 56 a. Achievements ...... 56 b. Sector Outlook ...... 56

I. Hit ...... 57 Administrative Overview ...... 57

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services ...... 57 a. Achievements ...... 57 b. Key Challenges ...... 57 c. Sector Outlook ...... 57

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 5 Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships ...... 58 a. Achievements ...... 58 b. Linkages ...... 58 c. Key Challenges ...... 58 d. Sector Outlook ...... 58

Micro-Small-Medium-Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training ...... 58 a. Achievements ...... 58 b. Key Challenges ...... 59 c. Sector Outlook ...... 59

Youth Activities ...... 59 a. Achievements ...... 59 b. Key Challenges ...... 59 c. Sector Outlook ...... 59

J. Baqoubah ...... 60 Administrative Overview ...... 60

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services ...... 60 a. Achievements ...... 60 b. Key Challenges ...... 61 c. Sector Outlook ...... 61

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships ...... 62 a. Achievements ...... 62 b. Linkages ...... 62 c. Key Challenges ...... 62 d. Sector Outlook ...... 62

Micro-Small-Medium-Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training ...... 63 a. Achievements ...... 63 b. Key Challenges ...... 63 c. Sector Outlook ...... 63

Youth Activities ...... 63 a. Achievements ...... 63 b. Key Challenges ...... 63 c. Sector Outlook ...... 64

K. Basra ...... 65 Administrative Overview ...... 65

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services ...... 65 a. Achievements ...... 65 b. Key Challenges ...... 66 c. Sector Outlook ...... 66

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 6 Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships ...... 66 a. Achievements ...... 66 b. Linkages ...... 67 c. Key Challenges ...... 67 d. Sector Outlook ...... 68

Micro-Small-Medium-Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training ...... 68 a. Achievements ...... 68 b. Key Challenges ...... 68 c. Sector Outlook ...... 69

Youth Activities ...... 69 a. Achievements ...... 69 b. Key Challenges ...... 69 c. Sector Outlook ...... 69

L. North Babil...... 70 Administrative Overview ...... 70

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services ...... 70 a. Achievements ...... 70 b. Key Challenges ...... 71 c. Sector Outlook ...... 71

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships ...... 72 a. Achievements ...... 72 b. Linkages ...... 72 c. Key Challenges ...... 72 d. Sector Outlook ...... 73

Micro-Small-Medium-Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training ...... 73 a. Achievements ...... 73 b. Sector Outlook ...... 74

Youth Activities ...... 74 a. Achievements ...... 74 b. Key Challenges ...... 75 c. Sector Outlook...... 75

2. Outputs & Targets ...... 76 A. Employment and Economic Development ...... 76 i. Jobs Created ...... 77 ii. Employable Skills Improved ...... 79 iii. Businesses Created and Expanded ...... 80

B. Conflict Mitigated Through Increased Community Activities ...... 81

C. Community Infrastructure Revitalized ...... 82

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 7 3. Community Stabilization One-Year Study ...... 84 A. Baghdad: Abu Ghraib ...... 84

B. Baghdad: Karada ...... 85

C. Al Anbar: Fallujah ...... 86

D. Tameem: Kirkuk ...... 87

E. Ninewa: Mosul ...... 88

F. Ninewa: Tal Afar ...... 89

4. Program Highlights ...... 90 A. Community Infrastructure and Essential Services ...... 91

B. Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships ...... 98

C. Micro-Small-Medium-Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training ...... 100

D. Youth Activities ...... 102

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 8 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

"And in Baghdad, in the last three months the municipality has stepped up to take over labor contracts worth $100 million that we had been covering under the Community Stabilization Program." -- Testimony of Ryan C. Crocker, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, before the Senate Armed Services Committee on April 8, 2008

This quarterly report summarizes the results of the Iraq Community Stabilization Program (CSP) from January to March 2008. CSP has continued to mature and expand and now provides economic stabilization activities to 18 cities throughout the country. Five new offices were opened this quarter including Iskandriya, Hilla, Tikrit, Beiji, and Samarra. The offices in Iskandriya and Hilla are now operational, and work continues in Tikrit, Beiji, and Samarra to establish these offices and develop activities in coordination with the PRTs, ePRTs, and local governments.

This quarter experienced a heightened security situation at a number of CSP sites. After many months ofrelative quiet, there was a sharp uptake in violence in March, up 31 percent from February and the deadliest month since August 2007. This level ofviolence had a direct impact on operations in Baghdad, Hilla, and Basra. These new flashpoints were in addition to the ongoing violence in Mosul and Baqoubah. In Baqoubah, a car bomb exploded in front of the CSP office with over 40 casualties.

These outbreaks of violence have frequently limited the actions of our expatriate staff and required our local national staff to work from home because of an inability to reach the office or project sites.

Employment & Economic Development During this quarter 57,510 short-term person months of employment were created for essential services and infrastructure, bringing the cumulative total to 370,650 short-term person months of employment generated for these sectors. While many CSP projects have provided Iraqis with immediate short-term employment in the form of street cleaning campaigns, building rehabilitation, and other public works projects, the primary goal is to increase sustainable employment through training, job placement assistance, and business development.

This quarter, CSP has: • Placed 2,472 Iraqis in long-term jobs, bringing the cumulative total to 16,553 long-termjobs that provide them financial independence, as well as help to economically revitalize surrounding neighborhoods as the workers' purchasing power increases.

• Employed an average of 10,000 workers daily through immediate-impact infrastructure and essential service projects, helping reduce the risk for recruitment into insurgency and pumping dollars back into the local community.

• Awarded over $6.8 million in grants to 1,471 business owners requiring assistance with start-up, expansion, or rebuilding of their businesses. Cumulatively, CSP has approved $37 million to over 5,141 business owners, thereby either creating or restoring 9,949 jobs.

• Provided business management training to 1,630 Iraqis to help them successfully run their own businesses. Cumulatively, CSP has provided business management training to 5,239 Iraqis.

The Community Infrastructure and Essential Services (CIES) Team has implemented a comprehensive contract administration training program to facilitate procedure compliance Iraq-wide. The training syllabus covered topics for CIES procedures, quality control/quality assurance, and ethics. The training also focused on coordination of the BDP, CIES, and EGY operating units for optimized project selection, implementation, and closure. The Focus Stabilization Cities (FSCs) that have participated to date include Baqoubah, Al Qaim,

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 9 Fallujah, Habbaniya, Haditha, Hit, and Ramadi. CIES staff from Hilla, Basra, and Tikrit are scheduled for the same training during the next quarter.

The Business Development Sector Team trained 61 BDP and BDT officers from Basra, Baghdad, Hilla, Ramadi, Hit, Haditha, Fallujah, Al Qaim, Habbaniya, Baqoubah, and Mosul. The BDP Iraq Wide team visited Kirkuk and undertook the code of conduct training with all Kirkuk CSP staff and carried out a training needs analysis with 15 BDP officers. The BDP & BDT IW team also visited five of the 12 cities including Baghdad, Mosul, Ramadi, Hit, and Kirkuk to work with the BDP and BDT Officers in their work place to ensure the training was being implemented correctly and to assist with any enquiries. Three POO's also attended the February Al Anbar training in Erbil covering BDP & BDT and EGY.

Vocational Training And Apprenticeships In order to promote economic growth and social stability, CSP provided Iraqis with essential job skills through vocational training (Vo Tech) courses and apprenticeships, as well as job placement assistance afterwards. The CSP VoTech program has been a huge success and its implementation has been widely embraced by Iraqis countrywide, with both registration and enrollment numbers growing at an increasingly rapid pace. For example, the program: • Graduated 5,086 trainees, providing them with essential skills required for the local job market. Cumulatively, CSP has graduated 19,576 trainees.

• Placed 856 apprentices in follow-on CSP-sponsored apprenticeship programs that allow Vo Tech graduates to enhance and build upon their recently-acquired construction or non-construction skills. Cumulatively, CSP has placed 5,252 apprentices.

CSP continued to work closely with the Iraq's Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MoLSA), who provided nearly 34 percent of the total combined $12.8 million spent, or over $4.3 million. MoLSA's financial contribution towards the program clearly demonstrates the Government oflraq's (GOI) strong interest in supporting training initiatives for Iraqis. As the capacity ofMoLSA continues to grow, it is anticipated that they will increase financial support to the training. An additional benefit of CSP' s strong relationship with MoLSA is that it improves MoLSA's credibility with the Iraqis since MoLSA is now seen as actively addressing unemployment.

Much ofCSP's work is done behind-the-scenes in this way, helping the GOI to stand up and put an Iraqi face on projects. Quietly but effectively, CSP assists MoLSA with the staffing, equipping and structural needs of its training centers. It also facilitates train-the-trainer workshops for newly-hired instructors to help develop their interactive teaching skills. In this way, CSP helps MoLSA gain legitimacy among the local populace, gradually strengthening MoLSA's ability to train and place Iraqis in sustainable jobs and improve the economy.

One particular highlight of note was the reconstruction and reopening of Baghdad's Rashad Vo Tech in the 9 Nissan District, adjacent to Sadr City. Given the recent militia and Iraqi Special Forces clashes in the area, this VoTech's reopening on March 16 was extremely timely. The newly-rebuilt training center has a capacity of nearly 800 students per cycle, and many of its trainees are expected to be local residents. This is the first Baghdad Vo Tech to reopen since all Baghdad VoTech's were closed shortly after the war began in 2003, making it a strategically important project in this respect as well.

Baghdad-wide, CSP currently supports six MoLSA VoTechs with plans to support four additional by the end of fiscal year 2008. There are also plans to support four Baghdad VoTechs for the Ministry of Education Directorate oflndustrial Schools in order to fill in the gap in areas lacking a MoLSA presence.

The Employment Generation and Youth Sector (EGY) Team has implemented a comprehensive program in vocational skills, apprenticeship, employment-related services, and youth training. The training was oriented to

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 10 facilitate countrywide procedure compliance and build the capacity of the new staff in the FSCs. The FSCs that participated during this reporting period included Hilla/Iskandariya, Baghdad, Haditha and Baqoubah. Furthermore, the EGY Iraq Team conducted follow-up visits to CSP sites in Baghdad, Mosul, Basra, and Kirkuk to inspect and assess activities on ground.

Cumulatively, EGY staff in 12 FSCs have received technical and administration training by the EGY Iraq team. Progress is being made through coordination between the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MoLSA) and CSP to formalize three vocational training centers in Talafar/Mosul, Ramadi, and Al Qaim under MoLSA as a step to maintain sustainability for all CSP vocational skills training programs in Iraq.

To date, CSP is utilizing 10 MoLSA Vocational Training Centers (VTCs): Waziriya VTC, Shula VTC, Zafaraniya VTC, Al-Waleed VTC, Ur VTC, and Al-Rashad VTC in Baghdad; Kirkuk VTC in Kirkuk; and Khur Al Zubair VTC and Abu Al Khasib VTC in Basra.

Conflict Mitigation This quarter, CSP has engaged 36,813 Iraq youth in over 100 different CSP-sponsored sports, arts and life skills programs, including soccer competitions, poetry festivals, t-wall painting, and dramatic presentations. These activities created a positive forum whereby Arab, Kurkish, Turkmen, Sunni, Shia, Christian and Sabia communities were brought together.

CSP also renovates parks Iraq-wide to provide communities with a healthy environment to engage in social and athletics activities.

Transition of Cleaning Campaigns CSP initially started its program with cleaning campaigns as a way of quickly putting unemployed Iraqis to work, giving them an immediate source of income and providing an alternative to participating in local militias or insurgent-based activities.

The strategy for CSP's second year is to gradually transition responsibility for trash cleanup to local municipal authorities, significantly reducing the volume and scale of the campaigns. This handover ofresponsibility has taken time, as it was necessary for local government officials to learn about the tendering process and standardize normal business practices. As of end oflast quarter, 27 CSP trash removal contracts employing about 10,000 people were completed.

At the end of this quarter, the majority of cleaning campaigns in Baghdad have been reduced to 50 percent employment levels. The effect of the transition can be seen in the drop of short-term employment person months, from 74,659 last quarter to 57,510 this quarter. CSP is working closely with MND-B, ePRTs, and the Baghdad Amanat in order to mitigate any destabilization of the security environment due to the drop in employment.

Examples of CSP cleaning campaigns in Baghdad that have been successfully transitioned to the Government of Iraq include: • A 250-person CSP-sponsored cleaning campaign in the Jami'a neighborhood from May through October 2007, at which point it was successfully transitioned to the Karada municipality; • A 300-person CSP-sponsored cleaning campaign in Babil from August through November 2007, at which point it was successfully transitioned to the Karada municipality; and • A 200-person CSP-sponsored cleaning campaign in Yousifiya Nahiya's Mahmoudya Qada. The Yousifiya Municipality recently accepted responsibility for the execution of cleaning campaign, and the project's continuation will provide much-needed income to area residents.

During this reporting period, CSP set up a Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) Unit in Ramadi to bolster CSP projects in meeting their stated objectives and ensuring obligations are met by all parties involved.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 11 In summary, during January to March 2008, the Community Stabilization Program CSP has achieved 65 percent of its target for short-term employment and 30 percent to 50 percent of all other outputs for Year 2 of the program. Despite heightened violence in a number of cities, the program has continued to grow and adapt to ensure Iraqis have new opportunities for increasing their skills and finding employment.

The Iraqis are seeing this change, and the result of an IRD annual household survey, which just arrived at the closing of this quarterly report, demonstrates that more than 50 percent (and even 61.28 percent in Al Anfar, 66.51 percent in Baghdad-Abu Graib, and 67 .2 percent in Haditha) of the residents of the Focused Stabilization Cities believe that their local government's ability to provide services at the household level has improved, and more than 60 percent believe that it will continue to improve. For the complete results of the one-year surveys completed in March 2008, please see the executive summaries on pages 84-89 for Abu Ghraib, Karada, Fallujah, Kirkuk, Mosul and Tal Afar.

In addition, it is fair to consider that the capacity building oflocal government and ministries such as MoLSA will continue and result in these entities increasingly taking on more responsibility for their own programs both financially as well as administratively. Iraq Community Stabilization Program Map

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Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 12 1. OVERVIEW BY CITY

A. Baghdad

Administrative Overview

One of the most significant achievements for CSP/Baghdad was the successful trash transition process to the Iraqi local municipalities and the Baghdad Amanat. CSP initiated the detailed trash transition plans in September 07; this was a collaborative effort with USAID, the PRT-B, the local municipalities (Beladiyas), and the Baghdad Amanat. Since November 2007, CSP has been gradually transitioning the CSP supported sanitation services to the Beladiyas starting with the relatively safer districts, in terms of security stability, and neighborhoods where the Beladiyas were able to perform the transition process more effectively. Numbers of workers on the CSP cleaning campaigns gradually dropped from a peak of 20,000 in September 2007 to 6,000 CSP workers in the beginning of this quarterly reporting period and down to 1,000 workers by the end ofthis reporting period. It is also significant to mention that the CSP's Baghdad trash transition process was literally mentioned by Ambassador Crocker in his recent congressional testimony in April. Topping this success was the announcement of the Baghdad Amanat to employ more than 10,000 workers on cleaning campaigns across the city starting May 2008 through the end of this summer literally copying the CSP model.

This trash transition process was followed up by a comprehensive approach on introducing long term development strategies focusing on creating long term jobs through increased emphasis on Vo Tech trainings, augmented outreach in business development initiatives, and infrastructure projects that had direct economic impact which contributed in creating sustainable employment opportunities. Youth activities have also played an active role in engaging large numbers of militant aged youth (17-35) in numerous sports activities reaching approximately 10,000 engaged youth on an average daily basis advocating the concepts of conflict mitigation and reconciliation efforts.

CSP Baghdad geared its attention to the most underprivileged districts and neighborhoods of the Baghdad govemorate, mainly to the rural parts of Baghdad, the Qadas that are surrounding the metropolitan city of Baghdad, and the poorer neighborhoods of the city. CSP focused its program interventions in infrastructure and PW programs to projects akin to market revitalization projects in Taji and Karkh, restoring irrigation canals and pump stations in Mada'en, Tarmiya, and Mahmoudiya. Increased emphasis was also placed on AG related business development initiatives such as revitalizing the poultry industry in Rasheed and Mahmoudiya, and creating agricultural green house farms in the rural areas of Adhamiya. Contacts and coordination efforts have been established with the MoE, MoHE and INMA to utilize their extensive outreach of industrial schools underlying the AG related schools located in Mansour, Taji, Abu Ghraib, and Mada'en to introduce new curriculums in agricultural related trainings, which have not been previously practiced in MoLSA.

In general, CSP/Baghdad has gradually evolved its program directives to address the changing environment and needs in Baghdad.

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services

a. Achievements

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 13 During this reporting period, the CIES Program has completed 28 projects, including four canal restoration projects and one cleaning campaign in the Qada regions.

CSP received a letter of gratitude from the General Federation ofAgricultural Cooperative Association in Mada'en for the successful implementation of the 9 Nissan irrigation canal restoration. According to the Water Resources Directory, the efficiency of the canal increased from 30% to 80% thanks to CSP's services.

The Yousifiya cleaning campaign in Mahmoudiya has also resulted in positive feedback, as the Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works granted a new budget for hiring labor & repairing inoperative machinery after they saw the difference that CSP's services made in their community. The effectiveness of this cleaning campaign has also encouraged the Yousifiya municipality to plan for cleanup projects as well as infrastructure projects throughout the next year.

Additionally during the quarter, CSP supported new infrastructure and essential services projects in Qadas such as pump station renovations, Taji medical clinic supply and Taji Market. Taji clinic and Taji Market were identified in coordination with the ePRTs and Qada Council as a priority to revive the region by providing the infrastructure and essential services to create both short-term and long-term jobs.

Given the importance and the size of the Taji Market revitalization project, the work was awarded to three contractors; one is installing a solar lighting system, another is constructing rest rooms, and the third is paving the surrounding streets and improving the rural roads network in Taji village. Besides the Taji Market, CSP has seven canal restoration projects ongoing in Taji, Istiqlal, Mahmoudiya, Tarmiya and Abu Ghraib.

In support of the cleaning campaign transition plan, CSP scaled down cleaning campaign projects and gradually transferred the responsibility to the local authorities in coordination with the MND-B, ePRTs and the Baghdad Amanat.

CSP listed 24 cleaning campaigns to implement in various neighborhoods in Baghdad and informed the Baghdad Amanat that CSP will no longer implement cleaning campaign activities. :

In Public Works projects during this reporting period, CSP started the implementation of 28 infrastructure and essential services projects (the number does not include ongoing health projects) and completed 28 projects including l9 cleaning and trash containers projects, 4 canal restoration projects, 3 school projects, 1 road rehabilitation project and 1 park/recreation area rehabilitation project.

Additionally CSP has contracted a school project in 9 Nissan district and conducted the tendering process for two projects in Adhamiya district and Istiqlal Qada.

The CSP Baghdad Employment Chart displays the number of workers employed daily through the PWs and the infrastructure program in Baghdad during this quarter

b. Key Challenges

>- Issue: After receiving a request from USAID, work was suspended in the Abu Ghraib Qada. USAID's concerns stemmed from overt attempts by local militias in the Abu Ghraib area to extort IRD staff.

Solution: The POD of CSP-Baghdad met with Abu Ghraib Qada Council Chairman and agreed to resume the work in Abu Ghraib after 20 days of work suspension ifUSAID's concerns were addressed and CSP was able to return to work in good faith, confident that IRD staff would not be extorted there.

c. Sector Outlook

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 14 In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the CIES Program will transform from short-term job creation and cleaning campaign projects into more sustainable, long-term job creation projects and projects that have a more long-term economic impact such as improving markets, business locations and commercial street renovations, and rehabilitating public parks/recreation areas.

CSP will continue working with the ePRTs responsible for the Qadas to ensure that CSP project prioritization is following joint development plans and providing the essential services and infrastructure projects to Qadas such as canal restoration, pump station rehabilitation, as well as school and road rehabilitation projects.

CSP is expected to complete the implementation of the current ongoing cleaning campaigns in 9Nissan, Adhamiya, Doura and Mansour districts and hand over responsibility to the local authorities in coordination with the ePRTs, MND-B and the Baghdad Amanat to conclude the CSP cleaning campaign transition process.

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships

a. Achievements

The vocational training program graduated 3,028 youth throughout Baghdad during this quarter. During this period 4,039 youth were enrolled, some of whom will graduate during the next quarter. Cumulatively, 14,919 youth have successfully completed the vocational training program since the program's inception in 2006.

Most of the goals were attained this quarter, from opening new centers to extending the course length and to fostering new partnerships. This quarter saw an expansion in operational vocational centers supported by CSP: Sadr and Rasahd VTCs came online. These centers are key to facilitating the establishment of stability in one of the most densely populated and volatile district of Baghdad, Sadr City. The Sadr VTC is considered a satellite VTC given its small size in comparison to the larger centers. It offers three courses: computer maintenance, sewing/tailoring and mobile phone maintenance. Its capacity is 150 trainees per cycle.

The Rashad VTC has a capacity of 525-550 trainees in ten courses: welding, carpentry, electronic, electrical installation, HVAC, appliance maintenance, automotive maintenance, sewing/tailoring, plumbing and computer science. Rashad is geographically located along the northern most edge of the 9 Nissan district and is adjacent to Sadr City. Majority of its trainees will be Sadr City district residents.

Through a collaboration decision between MOLSA and IRD/CSP, the traditionally provided MOLSA vocational courses were expanded to four months duration as a result of the need to improve the quality of graduates. All the construction trade training courses will remain two months in duration along with sewing/tailoring, computer maintenance and mobile phone maintenance.

This quarter IRD/CSP formalized a working relationship with the MOE Directorate oflndustrial Schools. The signed MOU will permit IRD/CSP to rehabilitate industrial schools and utilize them as training centers for the targeted youth. Three schools have been identified and the site assessment process has begun at the school in Mada'en and Mansour. These locations were chosen in order to fill the gap where MOLSA has limited or no presence and in coordination with the ePRTs. These schools will target a sector of the population, Sunnis, whom have not chosen to enroll in the existing centers due to their location and the ensuing security situation. It is anticipated the industrial school in Mansour, Al-Mamoun, will offer computer maintenance, mobile phone maintenance, generator maintenance, household appliance repair, electrical installation and sewing/tailoring. The Salman Pak Industrial School in Mada'en will offer generator maintenance, household appliance repair, electrical installation, sewing/tailoring, water pumps repair (in-home and agricultural related), and automotive repair. The third school is the Abu Ghraib Industrial School, however, due to the current security situation

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 15 and limited access in that region, little progress has been made in terms of site assessments. The MOE will also be providing agricultural curricula to address the local market needs in schools in the outlying Qadas.

It was anticipated that key rehabilitation projects at the Abu Ghraib VTC and the Waleed VTC would be underway; however, that was not the case. The combined cost of the rehabilitation for both centers is over $700,000 and would permit roughly an additional 350-400 youth per session. The delay in Abu Ghraib was due to the unreliable security situation and the delay in Waleed was due to the failure ofrepositioning the T­ walls and the complete relocation of the ISF to allow the IRD/CSP contractor to begin work. It is anticipated that the rehabilitation will begin next quarter. Completion will not occur until the last quarter of year 2 with courses starting shortly thereafter.

A rehabilitation project for a MOLSA center in Mahmoudiya was cancelled because MOLSA was unable to obtain a reduced rental rate since the facility itself was privately owned. Therefore, with the assistance of the Mahmoudiya ePRT, IRD/CSP identified a second possible facility, the Ready Made Clothing factory (RMC), which is a mixed own factory, but the training division is 100% government owned. A meeting was held between the RMC Board of Directors, MOLSA director for vocational training and IRD/CSP to begin discussions ofMOLSA leasing one of the buildings from the training division. As a result of the initial meeting, MOLSA will be presenting the opportunity to the DG of employment generation and vocational training for approval. It is expected that next quarter rehabilitation will begin with courses opening during the last quarter of Year 2.

b. Linkages

This quarter saw the new apprenticeship program procedures in action. These new procedures tightened up the selection and monitoring process to mitigate potential fraud and corruption, which is more likely to occur when a monetary incentive is offered. As a result, there is complete and total confidence in the apprenticeships placed.

The apprenticeship program is fully staffed in order to achieve the targets. It is expected to be a slow ramping up given the new procedures and new staff simultaneously occurring. No apprentices were placed in any CSP projects this quarter because there were no projects over the minimum three month requirement. Outreach continues as staff met with several Ministries and the Baghdad Municipality to identify new opportunities. Staff also met with ePRTs at the DAC meetings, which are held on a weekly basis, to discuss the apprenticeship program and identify viable opportunities. In spite of these meetings, no new developments have occurred. Many of the government institutions stated their difficulty in finding employment opportunities for their current employees let alone taking on apprentices. With respect to meetings with ePRT members, it also did not lead to any opportunities.

This highlighted the need to focus on small-size businesses as the main source of opportunities. There has been an increased focus to convey the business advantage to the owner. This led to some small shop owners, such as sewing shops, to rent larger facilities in order to accommodate apprentices and increase production output to meet the demand. It demonstrated that the apprenticeship program is another conduit through which to assist existing business owners and expand their current operations.

A meeting was held with MOLSA to discuss the possibility of utilizing MOLSA master trainers to evaluate the skill level of the graduates after completing their apprenticeship. The meeting resulted in a request for a follow-up meeting to discuss the details. However, obtaining the initial meeting took several weeks and given the remaining time frame of CSP this fiscal year, a follow-up meeting and implementation may take several more weeks. Therefore, IRD/CSP has begun the process to identify engineers for key trades to serve as temporary technical evaluators. These engineers will be vetted through IRD/CSP's technical unit to ensure

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 16 appropriate skill level. During the next quarter these individuals will begin evaluating the apprentices, which would determine the level of utility of the apprenticeship program and areas of improvement.

The employment generation activities remained a challenge. Placement is much lower than where it should be, but with no monetary value, it is even more difficult to identify opportunities in this environment. Culturally, Iraqis tend to employ family and people they know, which is further compounded by the security environment.

The employment generation field staff made roughly 1,640 phone calls and 7 42 visits to potential employers, which led to identifying 195 opportunities, resulting in 112 real new jobs (or job generation). 300 graduates have utilized their toolkits to start home-based businesses, such as sewing and carpentry.

ICBCD still had not obtained clearance from MOLSA to operate under MOLSA regulations limiting the establishment of employment services centers to solely MOLSA. IRD/CSP instructed ICBCD to meet directly with MOLSA as a final attempt in obtaining a permit to operate. It is anticipated that MOLSA will deny ICBCD's request. Additionally, with no monetary value, like under apprenticeship, it is even more difficult to identify opportunities.

In spite of these obstacles, the subcomponent changed its approach by facilitating MOLSA's ability to open employment services centers (ESCs) at its vocational training centers (VTCs) as well as research the possibility of re-vamping their unemployment database. This would be advantageous because IRD/CSP would be able to increase its numbers injob placement as IRD/CSP staff will have access to the unemployment database in order to increase their pool of candidates for opportunities identified by IRD/CSP staff above and beyond the skill level of the VTC graduates. Furthermore, CSP remains hopeful that the IRD/CSP's assistance to the MOLSA ESCs will lead to more individuals placed in gainful employment because there is currently only one ESC servicing the entire Baghdad population.

The renovation of the VTCs to accommodate ESCs at the Shula and Zafaraniya VTCs will begin next quarter. Formal assessments of the MOLS A database began and will be concluded next quarter with a project proposal soliciting bids for companies to update their database. c. Key Challenges:

~ Issue: Security continues to be a consistent obstacle affecting staff's ability to implement and monitor activities as well as impacting the ability to rehabilitate centers. The security situation in Abu Ghraib is limiting IRD/CSP's ability to begun the rehabilitation of the Abu Ghraib VTC and completing the site assessment of the Abu Ghraib Industrial School.

Solution: IRD/CSP requested the assistance ofUSAID and the ePRTs to facilitate movement into and out of the Qada by coordinating with the Muthana Forces who currently man the checkpoints.

~ Issue: Coordination with other USG agencies with respect to the VoTech program has been minimal and could potentially have adverse effects on the Vo Tech program. USG agencies, specifically DOD, have not coordinated with USAID or IRD/CSP with respect to the inclusion of Sons oflraq (SOis) into one of the vocational training centers in Baghdad. The concern lies in the fact that CSP is not permitted to provide assistance to SOis and the stipends paid by DOD is significantly higher than that what is provided by IRD/CSP. IRD/CSP does not consider the stipends as a wage, but as a means to offset the transportation costs. However, the stipends expected to be provided by DOD would be equivalent to the wages paid to the youth as an SOI. The ramifications on security are real as it creates a subsector of the population receiving an advantage over another. Furthermore, the SOis are utilizing IRD/CSP provided course materials and

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 17 sitting in on IRD/CSP classrooms, which potentially decreases the number of trainees attributed to IRD/CSP support.

Solution: IRD/CSP has regularly communicating with US AID on this issue informing them of the increased security threat to staff and the possible increased instability. IRD/CSP is also closely monitoring the Waleed VTC, which is the center where SOis are enrolled. It is important that a dialogue takes place between DOD, USAID and CSP at the earliest time possible to resolve this issue.

~ Issue: It continues to be difficult to identify VTC graduates interested in participating in the apprenticeship program because the contact information provided to MOLSA is inaccurate.

Solution: Program officers have developed a form to be distributed to the VTC graduates to identify those interested in becoming apprentices. Interested graduates are required to provide valid contact information by which a follow-up call will be made by the program officer when an opportunity is identified.

d. Sector Outlook

Just as the previous quarter, a significant amount of growth is expected in VoTech, apprenticeship and employment generation activities. With respect to VoTech, next quarter will see one additional VTC and two satellite VTCs coming online, the Iraqi-Korean VTC, and the Mahmoudiya and Shaab satellite VTCs. Shaab will target women and widows. It is expected that the larger VTC in Mahmoudiya on the grounds of the RMC will begin with a rehabilitation project. Additional rehabilitation projects anticipated is the Salman Pak Industrial School and the Mamoun Industrial School as well as the Abu Ghraib Industrial School, security permitting.

Industrial schools in Sadr City, Doura, Istiqlal and Tarmiya will be identified and rehabilitation is expected to begin. This is an effort to increase opportunities for youth throughout the Baghdad Province as well in densely populated areas.

Progress will be made on the rehabilitation projects at Waleed and the Abu Ghraib VTC, security permitting. Issues with the Muthana Forces will be resolved with the assistance ofUSAID and the ePRT, facilitating access by IRD/CSP staff and the contractor.

Under apprenticeship, IRD/CSP will employ master trades craftsmen to evaluate the skill level of the apprentices. There will be more outreach sessions at the centers to publicize the benefits of the apprenticeship program.

Employment generation activities will expand the number ofESCs to be placed on the grounds of the VTCs. There will be movement at the Rashad VTC and possibly at the Mahmoudiya VTC. Progress is anticipated to be made on MOLSA's unemployment database project after receiving assessment reports from local IT compames.

Micro-Small-Medium Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training

a. Achievements

During the reporting period, the Business Development Program (BDP) approved 329 MSME business grants valued at $2,119,509. It also created 390 long-term job opportunities through grants that were completed between Jan. 1 - Mar. 30, 2008. A cumulative number of 2,971 grants had been approved for a grand total of $22,853,664 by the end of the reporting period, creating a total of 7,071 long-termjobs.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 18 Success during the reporting period laid in the large demand for agriculture-related grants in the Qadas and for micro-grants in Baghdad. Also, the approval of many innovative medium-sized grants such as an environmental analysis laboratory in Karkh, a tissue-making factory in 9 Nissan, an agricultural association in Abu Ghraib, a wholesale market in Yousifiya, a poly-clinic in Tarmiya, and a plastic production factory in Adhemiya will be excellent sources for long-term job opportunities.

The BDP team continued to put more safeguards in place to prevent and limit the opportunities for corruption. This included sending joint-committees of BDP staff, engineers, and quality assurance controllers to oversee the delivery of grant items, which will help to prevent contractors from supplying used equipment rather than new. It also meant discontinuing work with the grant endorsement committees, which were volunteer community members selected to identify grantees. It was suspected that some of the committee members had begun to use their cooperation with CSP for self-serving purposes. Finally, it involved being more selective in approving grant applications. Many grantees were brought to the CSP compound for several interviews or were asked to undergo business skills training before submitting a grant application in order to screen out applicants that may not have been planning to open a sustainable business. Although this created a drop in the number of grants approved during the reporting period, it also strengthened BDP's ability to improve the quality of its work and the prospect for a more positive impact assessment in the future.

The centrally-located business district ofKarkh and the agricultural region of Abu Ghraib saw the greatest number of grant approvals during the reporting period. The still unstable district of Doura saw the least number of grants, although it is hoped this will change in the coming reporting period with better cooperation with the e-PRT responsible for that district.

During the reporting period, the business skills training team shifted its strategy towards providing recipients of CSP grants with the skills needed to manage a small or medium-sized enterprise. Previously, the training targeted unemployed youth that were recruited by IRD's sub-contractors, the Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce (IACCI) and the Iraqi Center for Business Development (ICBCD). After the conclusion of the most recent business skills training program conducted by the ICBCD in October 2007, it was found that only 22% of total trainees found long-term employment and only 4% successfully received business grants. This led the BDP team to conclude that short-term business skills training (less than one-month) was not the most effective way to promote job creation.

Meanwhile, the Quality Assurance I Quality Control unit that monitors CSP grantees found many grantees that started a new business were lacking basic management skills. Many of them were not keeping timesheets for their employees and financial records. Furthermore, they were not guided by a business plan. It was decided that moving forward, the majority of business skills training would be provided to CSP grantees. This will increase the chances that the businesses created through CSP grants will be sustainable, thus increasing the number oflong-termjob opportunities created in Baghdad.

New scopes of work (SOW) were written for business skills training courses that include four modules for management in Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, and Business Planning.

The SOW's were provided to the ICBCD and separately as an open tender to four Iraqi-owned NGO's that had not previously worked with CSP. The proposals received from the four NGO's were not satisfactory, so the BDP team provided training and support on proposal writing for each NGO to give them a second chance. The Rajeh Institute was selected through a competitive evaluation process using ranking sheets and an independent evaluation committee of expatriate staff based in the IZ. It began providing training at the cost of $500 per trainee for a two-week course. The I CB CD was also provided with support on improving its proposal-writing skills, but the final proposal and budget was not approved by USAID due to cost ($788 per trainee for a two-week course).

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 19 At the end of the reporting period, 18 CSP grantees graduated from the Al Rajeh Institute's first business skills training course and an additional 40 trainees were in the process of completing subsequent courses. Discussions will take place with the I CB CD during the coming reporting period to determine if it would be cost effective to continue using that organization as a training provider.

b. Key Challenges

~ Issue: PRT outreach was both a challenge and an opportunity during the reporting period. By January, the BDP team had established direct contact with each of the e-PRT's in Baghdad. The e-PRT's provided valuable guidance and became a source for identifying grantees. The BDP team discontinued working the voluntary grant endorsement committees, which were community members selected to identify grantees, in order to pave the way for closer cooperation with the e-PRT's.

The challenge was with aligning BDP's grant processes and procedures with e-PRT priorities and timelines. For example, some e-PRT's were coordinating with multiple entities to revitalize markets or to target a specific neighborhood. The turnaround time for a BDP grant can take several months. This is due to the requirement that a grantee must first demonstrate (or identify and show proof of) his or her in-kind contribution and due to the tendering process that CSP uses to provide grants in the form of equipment and other tangible items. This process proved to be too slow for some PRT projects. In addition, some of the grantee demographics that PRT members had identified were lower-income persons that didn't have the resources to provide an in-kind contribution in order to qualify for a grant.

Solution: By the end of the reporting period, the BDP team had begun to adapt to working with thee­ PRTs. It sought to educate PRT members about processes and procedures by sending Iraqi BDP Officers to meet directly with PRT members at DAC halls and military bases to review grant application forms and to make presentation to local council members. This helped to set expectations on what BDP can and can't do before a new initiative is started. It also relieved the bottleneck and logistical constraints of e-PRT members waiting to meet with or hear back from expatriate staff members

~ Issue: The value of the grants approved during the reporting period was not high enough for the BDP team to meet its targets by the end of the fiscal year if the team would continue at the same rate during the next reporting period. This is due to the termination of Grant Evaluation Committees, continued suspension of the IACCI "Najah" micro-grant program, the BDP new in-house processing of micro-grants as a result of the "Najah" suspension, and because more safeguards were put in place to prevent fraudulent grant applications from being approved.

Solution: New outreach methods are in the the planning phase to solicit grantees from sources beyond the DAC's and NAC's. An emphasis will be made on working withPRT's and otherUSAID implementers to achieve targets in the coming reporting period. Also, a faster, streamlined process for micro-grant processing is being introduced to avoid having micro-grants being as time consuming for BDP as small and medium-sized grants.

~ Issue: In the Qada regions and in some areas in Baghdad such as Jihad I Bayaa and Zafariniya, the majority of grant applications received are for agricultural ventures such as dairy, livestock, poultry, and egg­ production farms. A typical grant for such a farm would consist of 10 cows, 1,500 chickens, etc .. Three questions were raised about these grants. The first is the question ofjob creation - for any given agriculture grant, the farmer and his family may have already been using the land for growing vegetables or raising other types of animals, in which case the grant may increase the productivity of the farm, but not necessarily create new jobs.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 20 The second question is regarding safeguards against grantees in close-knit communities that may take advantage ofCSP's grant program by selling the animals they receive and then moving the original animals from one farm to another to create the appearance that the animals provided by CSP are still there. How can CSP prevent that from happening?

The third question is regarding resource allocation. When one member of a farming community receives a CSP grant and his or her neighbors learn about the opportunity, each neighbor also asks for a grant, and then the neighbors of those neighbors will also apply. This creates a demand that CSP can't meet because the budget for grants needs to be allocated fairly amongst districts and various types of businesses. How can CSP strengthen its criteria for such grants to become more selective?

Solution: CSP temporarily suspended dairy and livestock grants until these questions are addressed. It hired an agriculture advisor who is evaluating the criteria used for awarding such grants. It is also using the services of the QA/QC team to determine when and where jobs are created. Finally, in order to reduce the likelihood of animals being transferred from one farm to another, ear tags will be placed on the animals by the agriculture advisor in order to track the cows, sheep, and steers provided by CSP.

? Issue: After one-and-a-half years of grant implementation, the BDP team has accumulated a tracking sheet for 2,971 grants. As the tracking sheet became more cumbersome to use, the need arose to develop a database to store the data more effectively, one that can also be queried to better analyze data, create reports, and create linkages with business training and QA/QC data.

Solution: The BDP team acquired an Iraqi national database specialist in February to design a database using MS Access. The database was near completion at the end of the reporting period and will enable BDP to better respond to USAID and PRT requests for information. It will also offer more opportunities for CSP to internally analyze data and trends rather than simply count outputs.

? Issue: IACCI, one of CSP's sub-partners for micro-grants and business skills training, remained suspended at the end of the reporting period. IACC I was suspended by the Iraqi NGO registration office in October 2007 as a result of incomplete registration as an Iraqi NGO. Until IACCI gets this issue resolved, CSP cannot resume work with the "Najah" micro-grant program or close-out the most recent business skills training program.

Solution: BDP has sought other local partners during the reporting period and began using the Al Rajah Institute, located in Karrada district, to conduct business skills training. The BDP team will also process 400 "Najah" micro-grant applications in-house ifIACCI is not able to complete its registration within the coming reporting period.

? Issue: Business skills training is behind schedule in meeting its targets. This is partially due to the shift in strategy from training unemployed persons to grantees, partially due to the suspension ofIACCI, and partially due to the lengthy proposal solicitation and AO approval process that is required to issue new business skills training contracts.

Solution: The BDP team plans to extend the contract with the Al Rajeh Institute to continue beyond the reporting period. It will also competitively procure contracts with several other training providers simultaneously in order to provide training for the majority of CSP grantees in the coming year.

c. Sector Outlook

BDP looks to continue and expand its current integration with other IRD programming departments, other USG contracting agencies as well as USAID PRT and e-PRT representatives in the Baghdad area. An

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 21 upcoming case-in-point is the 9 Nissan Market Project which is a collaborative effort by INMA/DAI and IRD/CSP to rehabilitate 700 stalls in a non-defunct market and provide the vendors with the tools they need to make their micro-business a success. To complement this effort, EGY is considering painting the blast walls with local youth and CIES is exploring options to contribute to this effort in terms of market beautification. Another example of cross sectoral programming will ramp up in the Sheik Marouf area ofKarkh where CIES is working on road and median improvement and BDP is canvassing local businesses to encourage further expansion and job creation. Similar initiatives are envisaged throughout the Baghdad area.

Whether BDP will continue its partnership to provide micro-grants with IACCI is uncertain, but this micro­ business support model will continue and expand as the program looks to support market rehabilitation in conflict afflicted zones throughout the city covering a quantifiably large but geographically concentrated number of grantees.

The BDP also looks towards the Qadas as areas of focus for this upcoming quarter. Agricultural production and processing remains the key economic component in these rural areas and BDP looks to provide SME grants to businesses through the supply chain in cooperation with other funding organizations. For example, BDP is looking to support the Mahmoudiya Poultry Growers Association in an effort to reinvigorate an area with once over 2,000 small poultry farms. Agricultural projects also contain the added benefit of being highly labor intensive.

The business skills training will continue to work with grantees offering practical, relevant courses in a two week format. Topics include simple accounting, business planning and marketing. In addition, BDP plans to cooperate with the MOLSA Vocational Training centers to offer micro-grants to graduates upon completion of a mandatory business skills training for mostly unemployed youth in poorer neighborhoods in the city such as Mansour and Sadr City.

Youth Activities

a. Achievements

The preparation and due diligence to generate a Baghdad Provincial impact paid off as the total number of youth engaged is 16,468 young men and women. The main program strategy was to increase the daily average youth engaged through large scale soccer leagues. This new approach took a district/Qada wide look in lieu of neighborhood approach, when possible. This meant ensuring that each and every NAC was represented in the district/Qada wide leagues. In some cases, the districts had to be split in two due to sheer volume of the number of teams. This is the case for 9 Nissan and Sadr City. Additionally, these leagues will roll over from one season to the next to ensure that the daily average engaged remains consistent. This required a significant amount of planning and preparation with the DACs and Qada Councils, but the outcome was significant.

The program reached out into the Qadas, except Tarmiya, Istiklal and Abu Ghraib, which are anticipated to be engaged next quarter. Soccer tournaments that involved several thousands of youth began in Mada'en, Mahmoudiya and Taji. All the districts in Baghdad, except for Kadhemiya will have district wide soccer leagues. Below is a list of the activities implemented:

• 1,620 youth - Karada soccer league • 2,158 youth - Mada' en Qada soccer league • 1,001 youth - Mahmoudiya Center of the Mahmoudiya Qada soccer league • 852 youth participated in soccer, handball, basketball, volleyball, tennis, chess, ping pong tournaments organized by the University of Technology

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 22 • 780 youth - Karkh soccer league. • 5,287 youth - 9 Nissan soccer league -group 1 • 245 female participated in sport competitions in two secondary schools in Rusafa • 764 youth participated in volleyball, basketball, ping pong and handball organized by the Bayaa Sport club in Rashed • 3,058 youth participated in sport festival in Baghdad University, 798 of them female • 319 youth participated in sport festival in Silikh Sport Club in Adhmiya • 370 youth participated in the College of Fine Arts in Adhmiya under Supporting the Annual Students Competition of Audio & Visual Arts Dept, 40 of them are female.

The CSP program officers were responsive to deadlines established by the ePRTs with respect to upcoming activities and the need for equipment and supplies. This was the case in the Karkh soccer league and the Silikh Sports Club in Adhmiya. In which IRD/CSP coordinated with the ePRT and their counterparts to ensure that the activities kicked off to coincide with planned opening ceremonies.

Sports related activities continued to be an important component of youth activities and an attempt was especially made to increase women participation (especially those in the universities) and to identify secondary schools where sports activities could take place. At the university level, there lacks sufficient facilities dedicated to women, which is why it is not possible to include a significant number of women.

As a result ofIRD/CSP's increased visibility with the DAC and Qada Council and that activities have carried out as promised, IRD/CSP is receiving an increased number of requests for assistance. This is a positive tum in events moving into the next quarter as the focus will shift from sports activities to non-sport activities with the daily average engaged up and create a broader approach.

b. Key Challenges

? Issue: Ulterior motives of many of the DACs create obstacles in ensuring that the games are district wide. The information provide may be falsified or some areas are excluded.

Solution: Program officers additionally met with the NAC to ensure full participation of all neighborhoods and verify the number of actual registered teams.

? Issue: Activities have been limited due to the lack of staff to cover the Baghdad province in its entirety. As a result of fraudulent activity the CSP Youth Team was further hampered as two staff were placed on administrative leave until internal investigation was completed.

Solution: Additional staff was hired to meet the demand and geographic reach of the program. However, given the learning curve, progress has been slow. Program officers now attend the regularly scheduled DAC meetings in order to continue to feed the pipeline with activities that are DAC or Qada-wide.

? Issue: The community contribution is a concept misunderstood by many of the NACs/DACs and universities with which CSP hopes to assist. Many have perceived it as a bribe to be paid to the organization. As a result organizations are less keen to work with CSP in some areas, thus inhibiting our impact.

Solution: In response, several follow-up meetings are held to provide clarification and buy-in explaining that no money is exchanged with the organization, but rather equipment or labor. Continuously meeting with the NACs/DACs and delivering on activities has increased the level of trust with CSP and its objectives.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 23 c. Sector Outlook

As noted earlier, with the increased number of daily average engaged, there will be focal shift from sports activities to non-sports activities more in line with awareness campaigns in civic responsibility, health and wellness and environmental responsibility. This will be achieved through activities such as courses in civil society, democracy, religious tolerance, first aid, neighborhood clean up projects. Activities supporting the arts will continue as this is a sector often lacking in public funding, but is a conduit through which the youth can peacefully express their opinions on the current environment in which they live as well as their hopes for the future.

An additional focus will be youth infrastructure projects such as the rehabilitation ofyouth clubs/centers and fields throughout Baghdad to support the continuous soccer leagues as well as the new leagues to come on line in Mansour, Abu Ghraib, Tarmiya, Istiklal, Rashid and Adhmiya during the next quarter. Soccer tournaments will remain the steadfast source for the youth numbers. However, there will be an expansion into include other popular sports such as volleyball, basketball, and ping pong. More support to all female secondary schools in terms of athletic equipment and tournaments will expand beyond the first two in Rusafa. As sports activities grow there will be a training course for coaches and referees in order to build their capacity and improve the quality of the games.

Given the impending summer break, there will be a push to work with the Iraqi Football Federation and the Olympic Committee to establish and support summer training camps for football, volleyball, basketball, etc. throughout Baghdad. Summer away camps are also slated to take place in Sulymaniya, replicating the success oflast summer's two camps. The focus will be on conflict mitigation/resolution and breaking down perceptions by taking youth from each of the districts/Qadas outside of Baghdad to breakdown barriers.

There is also a push to establish a computer lab at some of the schools that have been rehabilitated by CSP and CAP in Baghdad. These computer labs would offer training in software applications as well as well as network administration to the youth during their summer break. This activity would be done in cooperation with the MOE.

Technical Unit

a. Achievements

During the reporting period, the engineering unit completed assessing and preparing bills of quantity for 45 projects with a total value of $7,200,391.

The assessed projects cover the following:

• $227,350 worth of cleaning campaigns for roads, river banks, irrigation/drainage • $1,203, 750 of potable water network extensions • Seven school rehabilitations valuing $855,049 • Nine Training and vocational school rehabilitation for a total of$1,471,776 • Nine outdoor areas (public gardens, playgrounds, soccer fields, and sport club) valuing $866,218 • Seven curbstone, roads and walkway painting and rehabilitation projects for $1,783,807 • Four hospitals and public health centers for$ 168,393 • Four building and house rehabilitation projects for $465,948

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 24 • One Swamp excavation for $158,100.

The Engineering and Technical Support Unit (ETSU) provided advice and consultation in the fields of engineering, health, agriculture, and environmental compliance. They also verified that goods and machinery supplied by CSP fit the required specifications.

One of the tasks of the engineering unit is to prepare blue prints, structural designs for some of the projects in addition to checking the designs prepared by others. Then revising the designs if necessary, and preparing new designs as required for all the contracted projects and as needed. When revising the designs special consideration was given to the availability of construction material in the local markets, simplicity of new design so as to implement the project in shortest possible time.

Another major problem that the engineering staff is facing is the fluctuation of prices. The constant rise of local constructional material and labor cost is due to many factors among which are:

• Any cause slowing down implementation of projects will result in increasing costs of goods and labor. • Declination in the rate of exchange of US dollar vs. Iraqi Dinar is continuously affecting the local construction material and labor costs

• Price fluctuation will influence drastically on "long duration projects", due to the fact that contractors are unable to cop with or anticipate the escalation in prices, especially for the imported items. One of the suggestions is to break the said contracts into smaller ones whenever possible, or to implement the project in stages.

The engineering unit has adopted a policy of counseling the Quantity Surveyor and working jointly with him in revising the pricing of the contracts. It was agreed that these adjustments be carried out once every month or two and as necessary.

In spite of the inconvenient security circumstances, the engineering staff was able to inspect all the works contracted in all the districts, and was able to complete the projects within the time frame. These projects were completed, and handed over to the end users with high standards witnessed by the community.

The CSP Environmental Compliance Unit (ECU) is responsible for ensuring that all CSP projects meet basic environmental standards. This includes making sure that only environmentally-friendly materials are used in rehabilitation & supply projects and monitoring the impact that projects have on the environment then mitigate impacts. In order to achieve this objective, the ECU uses Environmental Best Management Practices (EBMPs) to visit sites and assess project impacts on the environment. All projects are classified according to USAID Environmental Regulations (Reg216), the Iraqi Environmental Regulations & the Occupational Safety & Health Association (OSHA) for safety in workplace. In addition, all small businesses receiving grants have to sign a letter of commitment with the ECU and undergo regular monitoring visits to show that they are complying with environmental regulations.

It is now required that a Grantee establishing a small or medium scale business and the Environmental Compliance Unit sign an environmental letter of commitment. Total Number of (ELOC) that have been signed by Grantees during the reporting period is 97.

Bill of Quantity: Total Number ofBOQs where environmental works are included during the reporting period is 35 (This includes, medical waste single chamber incinerators, different capacities waste containers and two stages water filters).

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 25 Quality Assurance and Quality Control: QAQC continues to be an integral aspect of Baghdad operations. This unit is the independent arm verifying the implementation of projects by the grantee, contractor or third­ party NGO according to the contract. QAQC monitoring is integrated throughout the life of a project for activities in which there is a high risk of financial fraud in all three components. Their work requires regularly documented visits to project sites to verify community contribution, the legitimacy of businesses interested in the apprenticeship program, and the quality of work completed by the contractor.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 26 B. Mosul

Administrative Overview

Despite being dubbed the most volatile province in the country, CSP in Mosul is constantly discovering new opportunities to grow. Every day the local television stations carry stories about CSP projects. Art programs, Business training Classes and even poetry festivals are covered on the news. Sports leagues receive coverage every day on TV and in the newspaper. All the activities are being credited to the responsible Director Generals. The mayor of Tal Afar and the city council men are taking tours of completed projects. This ownership by the government is facilitating CSP abilities to get high-impact projects implemented and completed. This quarter 93 CIES projects were completed and credited with 26,888 person months of short term employment. The DG of Education was able to employ 4,456 long-term personnel because of the expansions CSP created to the educational institutions. Over 15,000 youth participated in non-formal education programs. The environment is ripe for success because CSP Mosul is fully committed to community buy-in and community participation.

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services

a. Achievements

The CIES sector continues to engage in more complex and long-lasting activities, with a focus on rehabilitating key community infrastructure such as hospitals and orphanages as well as road-paving, water and sanitation projects. At the same time, in order to try and improve the day-to-day quality oflife for the people of Ninewah, CIES also focused on renovating sports, social clubs and recreational facilities. CSP has renovated and repaired almost 150 educational institutions in the province, and has made major improvements to the foremost hospitals in Mosul. This was not done to the detriment of the clinics in the sub-districts and CSP has created an environment where the sick and the elderly can get the care they deserve.

b. Key Challenges

The security situation (especially in Mosul) is a major challenge. CSP continues to exercise flexibility and focus on other neighborhoods when security makes it impossible to work in Mosul. It is not uncommon for contractors to be threatened and intimidated. CSP continues to take steps to respond to this situation. Contingency plans are in place to shift projects to more secure locations within Mosul and the expansion outside Mosul helped ensure that any future disruptions due to security concerns in the city will not have a major impact on the overall CIES program.

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships a. Achievements

Undoubtedly the biggest success of this quarter was the opening of the second Vocational Training Center. The new VoTech in Tal Afar is the first training center outside of Mosul. This center which has the full endorsement of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MoLSA) currently teaches a total of five trades: welding, carpentry, plumbing, electricity and construction. Both VoTech Centers in Tal Afar and Mosul have the potential of a combined graduation rate of over 1,000 vocational students a month.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 27 b. Sector Outlook

CSP is working with the Provincial Government to identify other possible VTC sites in the city to allow us to continue to provide training even ifthe existing site becomes untenable. CSP has also started to negotiate to open Mosul's second Vo Tech on the east side of the city. This will expand our reach by a significant percentage.

Micro-Small-Medium-Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training a. Achievements

The MSJ'vfE grant program continues to grow quarterly. The backlog of new businesses awaiting commodities has disappeared after the restructuring of the procurement department. CSP is now able to approve a request for a grant and supply the goods for the business in much less time than before. The MSJ'vfE grant program is also able to respond quickly to events within the community. Almost 60% of all grants were in neighborhoods classified as high priority areas by the PRT. We are currently expanding our reach to areas such as Qayarah, Sinjar and Palestine.

In Business Skills Training, CSP Mosul has started down a unique path. Instead ofrelying on NGO's, we have trained our own cadre of in-house trainers. These trainers who were previously unemployed university graduates have been taking business training to new heights. After a site survey of the area is conducted, the team prepares to deploy. The curriculum and training aids which are fully approved by the Iraq-Wide CSP BDP unit are taken to the most dangerous sections ofNinewa Province. b. Key Challenges

The main challenge is to increase the average size of CSP grants - we would like to increase the median grant from $3, 789 to over $5,000 and including a much larger percentage of grants over $25,000. However we realize that the economy of Mosul consists of mostly small businesses. Outside of the few State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), there are very few large businesses. However, we are continuing to search for new and existing business owners who wish to expand. Our move to areas outside Mosul and Tal Afar will greatly increase our pool of candidates.

Youth Activities a. Achievements

Youth activities play a key role in helping to improve the quality oflife of thousands of youth across the province, and contribute to trying to re-create a sense of normalcy in their communities. CSP Mosul has reached approximately 40,000 youth in Ninewa Province. Activities range from computer training and first aid training to bee keeping to calligraphy and painting, to sports such as volleyball, indoor football and soccer. The largest single youth activities are sports leagues, including soccer leagues in and around Mosul and in Tel Afar. The sporting events are becoming a popular item around the province. The local television stations devote time every night to announce the daily scores and team standings. Coverage is also being provided in the newspaper and on internet blogs. In all instances credit is being directed to the Director General of Youth and Sports for Ninewa Province. b. Key Challenges

CSP is constantly seeking new outlets for the youth. While sports are greatly popular with most youth, CSP realizes that not every child is athletically inclined. We are also seeking more activities such as crafts, painting and literacy programs. CSP Mosul is also actively looking foiward to starting a scouting program in the province which will promote civic pride and environmental awareness.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 28 In-Kind Contributions a. Achievements

CSP in-kind contributions have had a significant impact in the community. CSP Mosul has delivered medical equipment to the two major hospitals in Mosul. In addition, medical equipment and hospital beds were delivered to the neglected Public Health Centers in the Tal Afar area. This should not however be viewed as solely a CSP achievement. This would not happen without the outstanding cooperation between CSP, the US Army 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment and the Iraqi Army. CSP used an arrangement where humanitarian goods are transferred from Mosul to Tal Afar or Q-West via military convoy. This no-cost transportation option also guaranteed secure and quick delivery to remote locations. Once delivered to Tal Afar or Q-West, the US Army transferred the goods to the Iraqi Army. Here, General Qais and his team made the final deliveries to remote villages. b. Sector Outlook

CSP Mosul looks forward to receiving more in-kind contributions. This program offers the most immediate rewards with the greatest satisfaction. Because of these deliveries, General Qais and his team are now welcomed into areas where they were never welcomed before.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 29 C. Kirkuk

Administrative Overview

This quarter has produced mixed results from the various components of CSP in Kirkuk. This reporting period has seen the employment generation program produce a resounding success, with the vocational training capacity more than quadruple from the same time 12 months ago. In addition, the apprenticeship program has grown notably in the first three months of 2008, largely due to increased advertising, which has helped compliment the growing capacity of the program.

The Youth Department has enjoyed several successes over the program quarter with a large scale table-tennis championship being run alongside a campaign ofT-Wall painting. The team has spent a great deal of the reporting period preparing the groundwork for youth and NGO capacity building initiatives that will be launched in the Spring of 2008.

However, the development of several CIES projects has been hampered, due, to the issuance of a letter (in October 2007) by the ivfinistry of Municipalities in Baghdad, preventing a number of the related Kirkuk Directorates from providing CSP Kirkuk with the necessary 'letter of non-objection' required in order for the CIES team to process a project. The matter, which is still being resolved, has delayed a number of CIES initiatives and the second phase of the 'irrigation channel restoration' campaign.

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the CIES infrastructure team has completed 16 projects, including 12 school renovations, 2 water projects, and 2 local governance building renovations.

Of the 12 school renovations completed in the last three months 6 were located within the District ofKirkuk, 4 in Dibis District, and 2 in the Salah ad-Din District of Touz. The two schools in Touz were renovated by CSP Kirkuk by special request from USAID after the schools were destroyed in a large explosion in June 2007.

Rashad Sub-District, located in Daquq District, is an extremely volatile area in South-Western Kirkuk Governorate. In part due to the concerned local citizen initiative, the area has recently become more permissive. In support of the local governance authorities in the area IRD has renovated the local council building which now houses the local council (formerly working from home), the Mayor (previously working from an office in the Directorate of Electricity branch office), and the civil statutes and nationality office (formerly based in Kirkuk City).

In support of the acquiescent local authorities of Multaqa, a Sub-District surrounded by restive towns and villages, CSP Kirkuk renovated the Sub-District office in Multaqa.

The reporting period has seen an increase in the number of projects being submitted to the 'Provincial Reconstruction and Development Committee' (PRDC) process from the previously recalcitrant Western region of the Governorate. Up until now, the regional administration had largely been boycotting the official processes in Kirkuk City, however, having seen the prevalence of CSP Kirkuk projects in the District, their interest has grown in submitting project at a local level. Consequently, IRD CSP Kirkuk engineers working in the region have spent considerable time to explain to village Muqtars how the PRDC process works, hence, the marked increase in project submissions.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 30 With the Public Works projects, January to March saw the successful start and completion of the second phase of the Kirkuk Govemorate hospital sanitization campaign in the Govemorate's five main hospitals. The campaign differed from the first phase, in that the Kirkuk Directorate of Health (DoH) was encouraged to play a more active role. Furthermore, the DoH provided all of the cleaning materials used in the implementation.

As the quarter drew to a close the preparation for the second phase of CSP Kirkuk 's irrigation channel restoration campaign was being completed, with a plan to start at the beginning of April. The project, which incorporates an initiative developed by the Kirkuk PRT, will employ approximately 2600 unemployed Iraqis and be directly implemented through the Kirkuk Directorate of Water Resources (Do WR).

b. Key Challenges

? Issue: A contractor working on the Hawija 'Civil Statutes and Nationality' building was prevented from carrying materials onto site as the compound was also used by coalition forces JCC facility.

Solution: CSP Kirkuk spoke with the PRT/Brigade liaison officer at FOB Warrior in Kirkuk, who passed word to the unit in Hawija, to allow the contractor access with materials.

? Issue: Over the past three months, CSP Kirkuk on several occasions has discovered in the late stages of project development that 'Unicef' has been given the same school to renovate, however, without using the PRDC/PCC process.

Solution: Through the PCC, an agreement was reached with the Directorate of Education that Unicef would find different projects to implement as they had bypassed the PRDC system.

? Issue: In Hawija District, IRD CSP Kirkuk site engineers are constantly harassed by the local populace, who (believing them to be representative of the local authorities) demand projects to be implemented in their area.

Solution: CSP Kirkuk site engineers have taken time with the local muqtars and populace to explain the PRDC process, showing them how they can submit project ideas through the District PCC.

c. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, the CIES department will implement an intensive program of school renovation during the summer holidays. The department will take advantage of the schools being empty in order to process as many projects as time, budget, and necessity allow.

Several sewerage projects in Daquq and Di bis Districts were due to start as the program quarter drew to a close, the CIES (INF) department will continue to identify water and sanitation projects, particularly in the Districts of Hawija, Di bis and Daquq.

In the interests of helping the agriculture based economy in Hawija District, the CIES team has identified a project which will help the state owned com processing factory, near the city ofHawija. The project is to increase the size of the holding area for com cobs, in order for them to be processed by the factory. The lack of a sufficient area to date has meant that much of the farmers product has gone to waste or been sold at a fraction of the normal market value.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 31 The next (and final) phase of the sanitation campaign, planned for next quarter, will be directly implemented through the DoH, in preparation for the financial and administrative responsibility to be completely handed over to the Kirkuk authorities.

The CIES (INF) team will look to identify projects in support of the health sector Governorate-wide. The department has identified several health centers in need of renovation and extension, as well as the Kirkuk Nursing College.

As mentioned previously under public works, the second phase of the irrigation restoration campaign was due to start as the reporting period drew to a close. The project not only fits CSP criteria perfectly by employing large numbers of unskilled labor, in a previously restive area, carrying out public works that will benefit the agricultural economy in the region (particularly during a year in which droughts are predicted), but, the campaign also supports a larger initiative by the Kirkuk PRT to completely rehabilitate the Govemorate 's irrigation network.

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the employment generation (EG) department has seen the successful completion ofvocational training at three new vocational schools in Kirkuk Govemorate. With the involvement of the Ivlinistry of Education (MoE) administering Kirkuk, Al-Zahra, and Al-Thabab Al-Aswad schools, in addition to the MoLSA's involvement in administering Kirkuk Vocational Training Center, CSP Kirkuk graduated a grand total of 1163 youths in March 2008. Each graduate was provided with a trade related tool-kit and an endorsed certificate.

b. Key Challenges

~ Issue: Limited interest from the Kirkuk business community in the apprenticeship program during year 1 resulted in the EG team not achieving its apprenticeship placement target. The limited interest was largely due to the restricted exposure the program received during its first year.

Solution: In addition to the positive 'word of mouth' publicity the apprenticeship program was receiving by the beginning of 2008, the EG department decided to bolster the growing interest in the program by further promoting the apprenticeship placements initiative through billboard advertisements and complimentary calendars.

c. Sector Outlook

Having already expanded the vocational training capacity over the last two program quarters, the employment generation (EG) team in Kirkuk, has successfully developed training curriculums, in cooperation with the 'vocational schools' department of the Kirkuk Directorate of Education, at a further 8 venues. The new venues are due to be rolled-out at the beginning of May in addition to the 4 existing venues, giving IRD CSP Kirkuk a capacity of 2,410 participants per rotation training at 12 venues.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 32 Micro-Small-Medium Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the Business Development Program (BDP) has seen a campaign to start­ up/expand businesses incorporating new agricultural techniques come to fruition. Over the last three months CSP Kirkuk has set-up a number of farmers with high hoop greenhouses. The greenhouses come complete with built-in irrigation systems and ventilation. The introduction of the systems give farmers a [prospectively] year-round crop therefore allowing them to sell goods at a competitive price, as opposed to, vastly reduced prices at seasonal harvest time. Also initiated during the reporting period was an agricultural services center in Taza, Daquq District. The center provides a range of pesticide spraying equipment, and other agricultural accessories, for rent. Much positive [verbal] feedback has been received from the farming community regarding the differences the center has made to their daily lives.

In the past three months 6 private gyms have been opened through the MSME grants program in Kirkuk City. The gyms have been much feted by the communities they serve and a great deal of interest has been created in other quarters of city in opening like enterprises. In the coming quarter it is the intention of CSP Kirkuk to incorporate the gyms into a Youth program activity.

A BRC (chain-link fencing) factory has been started in Kirkuk City. The product has become ever more popular in Kirkuk City over the past year, largely due to its durability, and relatively low cost compared to block and cement fencing. Until the factory was opened all BRC had been bought in from the cities ofErbil and Sulimania in the Iraqi Kurdish region.

Another new technology introduced to Kirkuk as a result of support from the MSME grant program has been PVC door and window fabrication. 2 factories manufacturing PVC windows and doors have been started up as a result of CSP grants, the technology, like BRC fencing, has previously only been regionally available from the cities of Erbil and Sulimania.

The reporting period, falling as it did in the immediate run-up to springtime, saw five new beekeeping businesses started in an effort by the grantees to start their business at the optimum time for honey production.

In response to a large scale IED attack in the North-Western ofDibis, CSP Kirkuk has helped 6 groceries reopen for business. In one particular instance the grantee was the widow of a grocer murdered in a blast.

The last three months have also seen CSP Kirkuk establish a tissue boxing factory, and a car valet/commercial cleaning company, as well as, numerous other small enterprises Governorate-wide.

A TOEFL (test of English as a foreign language) course is being run by the BDP training team in an effort to better equip aspiring Kirkuk professionals with a competent standard in the internationally recognized business language of English. The course covers both the training and the subsequent testing.

A leadership course has been developed by the BDP training team with the aim of building both confidence and self esteem in the participants while introducing them to management principals.

b. Key Challenges

? Issue: In the MSME grants program many hopeful applicants under 30 years of age struggle with finding the necessary capital to cover the contribution. As a result most of the successful grant recipients are over the target age group of 18-30 years of age.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 33 Solution: Where youths face a problem raising the necessary funds to cover the contribution in a grant application, the BDP team has encouraged applicants to form partnerships or cooperatives in order to successfully realize their business plan.

~ Issue: Largely due to the petrochemical industry being Kirkuk City's main economic sphere of activity, little in the way of heavy or even large scale manufacturing industry exists in the City (or Governorate). The only industrial area of note is located to due south ofKirkuk City in the restive Taza area. Due to the volatile nature of the area in which the industrial zone is located the vast majority of factories have closed down. The resultant factor of these two elements is that Kirkuk City has no existing industries or industrial areas to speak of, outside of the petrochemical industry.

Solution: To help stimulate the return of industry, and help nurture nascent enterprises, IRD CSP Kirkuk is vigorously encouraging Kirkuk authorities to move ahead with proposals to both establish an industrial area in a safer location adjacent to Kirkuk City, as well as, improve the level of security at the existing industrial area through the commitment of more police officers to the area (in conjunction with the improvement of the industrial zone's basic infrastructure).

c. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, the BDP department plans to organize a program showcase which will serve two purposes. Firstly, by inviting a mixture of young business entrepreneurs and existing business owners the BDP team hopes to encourage a fresh way of new business ideas, as well as, business expansions, by demonstration of successful examples of both implemented over the past 12 months. The program showcase will also serve as a means of encouraging vocational training graduates to look at starting their own businesses, either individually, or as part of a group of graduates.

The BDP training team is in the final stages of identifying both a venue and trainers for business skills training to be conducted at. The business training team is looking to see if it is possible to utilize the USAID funded 'Izdihar' program in the training of potential grantees.

Youth Activities

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the Youth Program has successfully implemented a campaign of T-W all painting in Kirkuk City. Despite the practice being both common and popular in both Erbil and Sulimania, the CSP campaign was the first of its type in the Governorate. Ideas (in the form of sketches) were chosen based on their relevance to Kirkuk, and its diversified community. The final designs were approved by the Governor, and since being painted on the T-Walls outside of local authorities building in the Al-Qishlar neighborhood of Kirkuk City, have met with praise from the local populace for both their messages ofKirkuki unity and the way in which they brighten up the spiritless grey of the concrete blast barriers.

The Youth team successfully completed a ping-pong (or table tennis) competition in Kirkuk City. The championship engaged 2, 188 youths, utilizing the city's youth centers to implement the project.

A month long workshop, teaching Kirkuki youths how to draw cartoons, was implemented during the reporting period. The work of the best 40 attendees was displayed at galleries throughout Kirkuk City over a two week period.

120 teachers were trained in basic first aid over a four-week period.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 34 b. Sector Outlook

In the coming quarter the Youth team has a number of projects in development aimed at promoting community unity. In May a youth conference will be held, in an effort to successfully establish a youth symposium, representative of all of Kirkuk 's communities, which will address the current affairs/issues of Govemorate, at regular youth forums, hopefully with participation from notable members of the Kirkuk authorities. Plans are already at an advanced stage for the creation of a 'folklore troupe', supported by the Kirkuk Cultural House that will represent the different folklore/dancing/ musical traditions ofKirkuk's communities.

In April, CSP Kirkuk's Youth team has planned a 'fun-run' for female youths. The project is being developed on the back of a very successful 'fun-run' for male youth held in the autumn of 2007.

With the prospect of a Govemorate-wide drought during the summer months, as an acute result of the limited precipitation over the last six months, the Youth department is developing a manifold awareness campaign centered on water conservation. The campaign will use television and newspaper media to raise awareness amongst the populace of the negative effects of wasting water (in particular the watering down of dusty patios), as well as, incorporating a health awareness element, developed with the help ofDoH Kirkuk, that will give information on drought related medical conditions, such as Cholera and Dehydration (infant diarrhea).

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 35 D. Fallujah

Administrative Overview

CSP employment and engagement activities in Fallujah have increased during this reporting period. This increase stems in part from previous challenges with local government that are now being collaboratively worked through by the POD, POO and the local staff Program Operation Manager (POM). During the initial phase of the program, collaboration with local government was limited due to the inability of staffers to meet openly with officials, many of whom were assassinated or forced to flee the city for security reasons. Recently Fallujah has seen the return of some residents and business owners that fled. Those returning person's are interested in employment and or reconstructing their businesses.

Despite the recent success of surge operations and the capacity development and coordination efforts of the ePRT, challenges with local government persist. Ineffective planning, competition for resources and rent seeking, and attempts by city council members to impose opaque regulations on CSP contracting continue. However progress has been made with key persons on the council and other municipality officials. CSP Fallujah went through profound changes in this period. The program is recovering from restructuring of operations following CSP/IRD expatriate personnel changes in early March. While the expatriate management was changed, the POD engaged in matters of coordination with the governing bodies in the city. IRD also dismissed several local staff from its Fallujah office due to suspicions of corruption and conflict of interest. Despite these interruptions CSP Fallujah has earnestly approached its mission and its image in the city is gaining a solid reputation.

Early in the program security issues prevented CSP from operating openly in Fallujah. Although moving operations to the city has been beneficial and highlights the degree of security improvements, several key departments had to be re-staffed and new employees trained. Establishing new means of transferring funds to the city has resulted in progress. The security situation remains delicate; however finding a secure location for a CSP/IRD office in the city is a priority of the City Council with the cooperation of the Chief of Police. Currently the IRD Program Operations Officer travels to the city on average three (3) times per week to meet with and work with the local CSP staff while being temporarily quartered in Ramadi.

In collaboration with the ePRT, CSP opened a front office in the newly established Fallujah Business Development Center (FBDC). This achievement has enabled CSP to operate more effectively and has enabled greater access to the community. It is also expected that operating from the FBDC with other community based organizations will contribute to increased interaction with local government. It has made possible rapid expansion of the MSME grants program and increased engagement through skills training programs. During the later period of this quarter CSP averages twenty five (25) grantee applications per day.

Regarding employment generation, despite the aforementioned challenges, CSP played a key roll in support of the surge operations at the beginning of the reporting period through quick impact clean up campaigns and youth programs. Through collaboration with the City Council and the Directorates Genera, CSP has identified nineteen (19) CIES projects that the council placed as priority during this reporting period, projecting 1,972 employees. These projects are not clean up campaigns; rather they are reconstruction/rehabilitation of critical buildings and municipal infrastructure projects (water, sewer, roads, education, healthcare, ag/veterinary, along with parks and recreation). More than 1,300 youth engaged in sports activities throughout the period. Training programs engaged some 420 men and women in adult literacy and maintenance and repair at a localized training center supported by CSP.

This period finds the first small business development grant for Fallujah, and it has rapidly grown to sixty (60) new grants processed and well as providing BDT to 15 Small and Medium grantee's.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 36 Since beginning operations in Fallujah, CSP has confronted numerous challenges preventing efficient implementation of the MSJ'vfE grants program, including interference in the application process from Iraqi Police and city council members, inability of CSP staffers to promote the program for security reasons, and an unwillingness on the part oflocals to make community contributions until claims against the government or Coalition Forces for damaged property were completed.

Challenges are expected to continue into the next reporting period, in particular those related to a dysfunctional municipality and unduly influence from city council officials. However, it is expected that increased stability and trust will allow for greater progress. The opening of the FDBC has helped facilitate the community's participation and transparency. The next period is expected to see significant engagement through CIES, youth, vocational skills training and BDP sectors.

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services

a. Achievements

At the end of the reporting period, CIES Fallujah had 61 total projects approved, 28 are completed, 6 remain on going, 8 are contracted, 7 are approved and 1 is in its tendering phase.

Initially, CSP Fallujah generated person months primarily through clean up campaigns in support of surge operations. After the relocating operations to Fallujah, a number of rehabilitation projects were identified and prepared for implementation in this reporting period. CIES activity began in February and increased its tempo in and through March. Clean up campaigns in designated areas of the city as well as substantial CIES projects have helped reenergize interest in the community in CSP activity. The community is still in need of substantial clean up and waste management assistance.

CSP in collaboration with the Fallujah City Mayor, City Council and Municipality Directorates General (DG's), developed the Muallameen Market for 400 illegal vendors, whose stalls were demolished in December. The project will house the vendor areas to present and sell their goods. The project includes a major renovation of the area.

With continued effort on the part oflocal government however, CIES will continue as an effective means of employment for CSP.

b. Key Challenges

~ Issue: There are conflicts ofinterest between local community, municipal officials, and provincial Directorates General and a lack of city planning and strategy for reconstruction. Though the government proposed five year plan has delineated a plan for future reconstruction and development, it is questionable whether the priorities reflect needs.

Solution: CSP has employed a program development manager to interact with the city council, municipal, and Provincial Directorates General to improve coordination through regular meetings, a strategy that has proven effective later in this reporting period. A local national with the appropriate qualifications is better suited for daily interaction with local government. The program development manager has also enabled CSP to acquire approvals more efficiently as well as identify priorities within the scope of CSP goals and budget constraints.

~ Issue: The municipality lacks an operating budget and has too few staff and equipment required to support an effective waste management plan. Moreover, the municipality is unable to maintain many of

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 37 the projects rehabilitated through CERP funds or CSP despite having provided assurance they would assume responsibility for it. There are projects on the priority list of the city council that have been rehabilitated I refurbished three and four times over the past two years. The result is that CSP cannot implement such projects in future until the municipality has the ability (or willingness) to make a community contribution and prove it has the capacity to maintain completed projects.

Solution: The problem related to municipal budgets is beyond the scope of CSP (provincial level issue) but will impact the willingness of the municipality to work with CSP if we are unable to bring funds to the table. At the same time, CSP cannot support projects that an end user cannot maintain and sustain.

~ Issue: The establishment of the Fallujah Business Development Center has proven beneficial to CSP as it provides a venue accessible to the local population and contractors interested in learning about or participating in MSivIE grants, business skills, and public works projects tenders. The mayor and city council however view the center as a potential threat to their ability to control all economic development and reconstruction activity in the city, particularly contracting and awarding of grants.

Solution: The MSivIE grants program may no longer require local government endorsement but rather local community leaders, mukhtar, and imam according to neighborhood or district. This approach is welcomed by the locals. To encourage participation and minimize the potential for corruption, all applications will be completed at the FBDC with oversight from CSP and the respective committees.

c. Sector Outlook

Depending on how relations with local government and the municipality develop, CSP will continue supporting small scale clean up and road repair in economic zones where the MSivIE grants program will be implemented. CSP will continue to collaborate with the local city government and directors to increase other CIES projects determined by the council and DG's to be priority in neighborhoods.

Rather than work through contractors, CSP will collaborate with the municipality to directly implement the projects ensuring CSP retains ultimate control over the activity while requiring the municipality to manage and make contributions to the activity (however limited they may be until an operating budget is established). Infrastructure projects will be limited to those that are linked to the other CSP sectors. The number of person months generated through short-term employment should increase with a shift towards substantial CIES projects with long-term employment increasing through MSivIE grants, business skills training, vocational skills training, and youth programs.

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships

a. Achievements

Although not directly linked to MOLSA, there have been successful localized training programs involving primarily young men and women, including adult literacy and maintenance and repair training courses. The lack of an established MOLSA presence means CSP has had to work with the local community to develop these short term programs. However, the numerous requests for a host of traditional vocational skills training programs, including construction and non-construction suggest there is great demand. During this period several meetings were held with Al Anbar Technical Institute in Saqlawiyahjust outside Fallujah where MOLSA-type skills training programs have traditionally been held. Supporting a program at the institute is both cost effective and more sustainable than constructing a new center within the city.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 38 b. Linkages

During the previous period, CSP established the Nazal Women's Sewing Center and supported a localized training program that resulted in 30 apprentices being employed making school uniforms. Another Women's Sewing course has been identified in Saqlawiyah and it is anticipated this course will have thirty (30) more female participates. CSP will support the establishment of small sewing factories through MSl\1E grants for women as well as provide the head of the current apprentice program with business skills training at the FBDC.

During this reporting period forty ( 40) males are attending a Carpentry course and it is expected that 70 percent of those graduates will become apprentices. Thirty-six males are currently enrolled in a welding course. Some seventy percent of those graduates of the training programs are expected to be apprenticed in the first month of the next reporting period.

c. Key Challenges

~ Issue: The key challenge to establishing a MOLS A training program remains the lack of commitment on the part of the local government to dedicate an existing structure to serve as a training center. CSP has repeatedly offered to rehabilitate a structure and work with MOLSA to identify trainers and equip the structure. The lack of an established MOLSA presence in Fallujah has been a challenge since the beginning of the program.

Solution: CSP will continue to work directly with the Al Anbar Technical Institute to develop a localized training program within the existing school of engineering as it would require less time and is more cost effective.

~ Issue: The most effective means of engaging young men in Fallujah is not through clean up campaigns. Skills training, apprenticeships, and job placement services are more meaningful and provide young men with a greater opportunity for gainful employment.

Solution: CSP will continue to support localized training activities that have a longer duration than previous programs in Fallujah even if they will not be sustained by MOLSA upon completion. This approach has proven more cost effective than simply supporting a clean up campaign which leave the participant where they started. The cost of doing so is much less than the average clean up campaign. CSP will also work towards development of the program at the institute in Saqlawiyah.

d. Sector Outlook

Localized training programs will continue to be supported until the program at the Al Anbar Institute is finalized. Both localized training and the program at the institute will focus on construction trades training programs for young men. The establishment of the Al Anbar University VTC in Ramadi may provide a venue for training of trainers in the immediate vicinity which would enable quick start up at the institute in Saqlawiyah (MOLS A is already in discussions with CSP Ramadi about supporting a training of trainers program at Al Anbar University). The number of graduates over the next period will remain low but increase significantly by mid April.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 39 Micro-Small-Medium-Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training

a. Achievements

The first small business development grant was awarded during this period in Fallujah. Sixty (60) new grants were also processed and BDT was provided to 15 Small and Medium grantee's to build their capacity to effectively operate their businesses.

The greatest achievement during this period was the opening of the Fallujah Business Development Center (FBDC) which has enabled CSP to promote the program more effectively. It also provided a securer location for conducting business skills training for potential applicants and future grantees. Towards the end of the period more than sixty grants with a combined value of more than $325,602.00 were being tendered from the FBDC. With this increased exposure CSP Fallujah has increased its application process to approximately twenty five per day and hope to reach an average of 100 grants approved per month by the end of May next reporting period (this is due to the BDT procedural process of grant approvals).

A total of 197 long term jobs were created (179 males/18 females). This number is expected increase in the third reporting period.

b. Key Challenges

~ Issue: MSME grantees are reluctant to carry out the required grantee contribution, most often involving rehabilitation, repair, or upgrade to existing structures for fear of losing the compensation owed them by the Government oflraq for damages caused during military operations against the insurgency. The city council refused a request from CSP to provide guidance through an awareness campaign to notify citizens that they only need to provide photographs and file a claim and they will still receive compensation even if they pay for the repairs themselves.

Solution: CSP is collaborating with the military and local imam to encourage shop owners to participate in the program and move forward on rehabilitation and repair work. CSP will work with imam to issue a Fatwah to locals as was done in Ramadi with great success resulting in a significant increase in participation in the program.

~ Issue: Many of the buildings housing small and medium enterprises are owned by people who have left the city or even the country. A prerequisite for grant approval is that the grantee provides a copy of a legal lease agreement and show proof the owner has paid taxes to the municipality. This is preventing many potential grantees from applying and hindering MSME development in the city.

Solution: CSP will work with local mukhtar to establish grant endorsement committees who will also be responsible for utilizing family and tribal networks to locate owners. This was not possible previously due to a lack of security that, as mentioned above, prevented CSP from promoting the program. With the establishment of the FBDC, participation is expected to increase. Once the original owners learn of opportunities for renting out their properties again it is hoped this challenge will be addressed.

c. Sector Outlook

By the end of May of the next reporting period CSP expects to average 100 grants approved per month. The opening of the FBDC and improved security environment will facilitate rapid expansion of the program. Moreover, the establishment oflocal operations (shifted from Baghdad), increased staff, and improved coordination with local imam and mukhtar will enable greater awareness, participation, and transparency of the program. The FBDC has also begun offering business skills training courses that will improve the ability

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 40 of potential entrepreneurs to be awarded a grant and manage their MSivIE. Finally, the outlook for CSP overall is to shift greater resources to long term employment opportunities.

Youth Activities

a. Achievements

Youth programs this period engaged more than 1,217 young men in sports competitions, all of which included CSP-provision of uniforms, equipment, and awards for participants. Each of the events were attended by local community leaders and provided short term employment opportunities for more than 150 persons as coaches, referees and organizers. In addition, more than 150 women were involved in this period in computer and English courses.

First aid training, support for artistic development, media training, computer literacy courses and English courses have been developed this period. An eight-day Youth Camp has been developed at the request of the Ministry of Youth and will be implemented in the next reporting period, with the goal of engaging approximately 80 youths age 17-30. The camp will be hosted by the Al-Mansor School, the grounds of which include a large garden suitable for youth activities. Planned activities include camping out in tents, as well as various cultural, sport and artistic events. These events, as well as ping-pong tournaments, a play show theater and volley ball tournaments, have all been developed this period targeting approximately 1,166 youths. The start date is April 2008. EGY has been challenged to present five youth events per month.

b. Key Challenges

? Issue: Several activities previously reported as skills training, such as Andaloos Al Wathba School of Art and Nursing and First Aid courses for young women, are now considered by the EGY Iraq-wide unit as youth programs.

Solution: Youth programs will experience much higher numbers in future as CSP Fallujah will continue to seek out creative ways for engaging young men and women beyond sports activities. The EGY vocational training unit will focus solely on construction and non-construction skills training programs that are approved by the EGY Iraq-wide unit.

c. Sector Outlook

Much more interaction between other EGY units in various CSP Anbar cities will take place in the next reporting period. For example competitions between Hit, Haditha, Fallujah, and Ramadi are being organized as part of an effort to bring together youth who have over the past two years been prevented from moving outside their cities due to the insurgency. EGY will also extend invitations to cross cultural/ethnic boundaries in Baghdad (Sunni/Shiite/Kurdish).

The number of youth engaged should increase noticeably in Fallujah now that the security situation has improved and CSP staffers are able to work more openly in Fallujah. Youth programs will continue to expand beyond sports activities and will include artistic and cultural events that include conflict mitigation discussions. As with other Anbar cities, their will be greater opportunity for local government involvement now that many of the formerly damaged or occupied youth centers are being rehabilitated and equipped by CSP.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 41 E. Ramadi

Administrative Overview

CSP continues to benefit from a relatively stable security situation in Ramadi. As a result and in line with targets specified during the CSP January 2008 Conference, CSP shifted steadily from short-term to long-term employment creation to assist in meeting Ramadi 's unemployment needs. This has resulted in a steady decline in the number of short-term employment through public works and infrastructure projects, while long-term employment opportunities continue to be generated as a result of Sivffi grants. Additionally, CSP has focused many resources on projects that will support and lead to long-term employment creation. This includes non­ construction vocational trainings for women at the Iraqi Independent Women's Association (IIW A), the rehabilitation and equipping of the Al Anbar University School of Engineering for future construction vocational training and the construction of a MoLSA Vocational Training Center. Efforts towards setting up Business Skills training have also been ongoing to ensure Sivffi grantees are successful in their entrepreneurial endeavors. CSP activities targeting youth have shifted away from sports and towards building life-skills. CSP staff numbers continued to increase due to the roll out of the program to three new cities which necessitates Ramadi as being the central administrative center for Al Anbar Governate. CSP Ramadi activities are meeting its current objectives while transitioning to meet future targets.

During this reporting period, CSP Ramadi set up a Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) Unit to bolster CSP projects in meeting their stated objectives and ensuring obligations are met by all parties involved. This unit is the independent arm verifying the implementation of projects by the grantee, contractor or third-party NGO according to the contract. QAQC Unit, acting independently has begun monitoring projects throughout each phase to ensure there is no fraud by any party. The work of the QAQC Unit requires regularly documented visits to project sites to verify all work(s) outlined in all CSP contracts and agreements. All final payments for projects require approval by the QAQC Unit.

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the CIES Program completed 16 public works and infrastructure projects during this quarter with a total value of $4,636,693, producing a cumulative daily average of 10, 148 Person Months. Highlights during this period include the completion of the Rehabilitation of Al Anbar University School of Engineering Vocational Training Center, Rehabilitation of Al Nassar Sports Hall and the Speers (Tameem) Median Repair and Paving project. All projects are being followed up by EGY and BDP projects which will result in training and long-term job creation, as well as economic revitalization of areas that suffered greatly from the insurgency. The CIES Program also began two keystone projects in Ramadi; the reconstruction of the Ramadi Public Library and the construction of the MOLSA Vocational Training Center for a combined value of $3, 104,429. When completed, both structures will be used for both non-construction and construction vocational trainings supporting CSP in creating qualified and employable young men.

b. Key Challenges

>- Issue: CSP staff constantly faces travel constraints, as Ramadi is broken into many districts controlled by different IP Units and Coalition Forces. Check points in and out of these districts causes long delays.

>- Solution: Though various avenues to issue Coalition identification cards have been explored, CSP has yet to secure any such cards to assist in CSP staff travel. IRD has issued identification cards to its employees,

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 42 but this has yet to resolve the problem. More efforts to obtain proper identification cards that allow staff to move freely about in the city will continue.

c. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the CIES Program will develop fewer projects and concentrate on those projects in progress. These projects are associated with long-term employment creation. This includes the rehabilitation and equipping of a MOLSA Vocational Training Center and the equipping of the Al Anbar University School of Engineering's vocation training workshops, as well as the Ministry of Education's Industrial School. New agricultural projects in the north of Ramadi (Jazeera) are being considered and if feasible will be implemented in the coming months. These projects will be labor intensive and would continue to employ a large number of unskilled and skilled laborers. It can be expected that the overall CSP shift in attention towards long-term employment will result in lower levels of short term employment and greater future outcomes in other long-term employment sectors, i.e., EGY and BDP.

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the Vo Tech and Apprenticeship Program have had 80 female participants in a non-construction vocational training course. This course is the first of many identified to take place at the Iraqi Independent Women's Association Center which was rehabilitated and equipped by CSP. Construction based vocational training courses are expected to begin in the coming quarter at the Al Anbar University School of Engineering workshops currently being equipped. Likewise, construction based vocational training courses are planned to begin at the MOLSA Vocational Training Center currently under construction and the Ministry of Education Industrial School which will be equipped during the following quarter. During the quarter, CSP provided an honorarium to 25 MOLSA Employment Service employees to assist in registering Ramadi' s unemployed who will be chosen for future MOLSA endorsed vocational training.

b. Linkages

No apprenticeships were achieved during this quarter, as there were no vocational training graduates. Current CIES projects to rehabilitate and equip VTCs was ongoing and when completed will be turned over to the EGY Unit to carry out vocational training projects.

c. Key Challenges

? Issue: The Iraqi Independent Women's Association Center that was rehabilitated, equipped and staffed by CSP was partially taken over by the Ramadi District Council. Through occupying the first floor of the center, CSP non-construction vocational training activities were delayed. CSP secured the use of the structure from the Municipality prior to any CSP support, but due to changes in government controls, the agreement was considered invalid by the Ramadi District Council who moved their offices into the first floor.

? Solution: IRD has attempted to resolve this problem through dialogue with the Ramadi District Council and the Governor of Al Anbar. Despite verbal promises by both to evacuate the center, the first floor remains occupied. IRD has continued to support activities on the second floor and is continuing discussions with the Iraqi Government to ensure an exit date from the first floor.

? Issue: Delays in project development have occurred due to lack of expediency from MOLSA on various actions. CSP has continued to push ahead on all MOLSA related vocational training projects.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 43 ~ Solution: CSP senior staff continues to address all issues associated to MOLSA related projects with senior Anbar and Ministry level MOLSA staff. Through dialogue, actions are being taken by MOLSA, but only after repetitive requests.

d. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that vocational training will continue to expand at the Iraqi Independent Women's Association in non-construction training courses, while eight construction training courses are expected to begin at the Al Anbar University School of Engineering Vocational Training Center. At least 500 trainees should be enrolled during the upcoming quarter with approximately 200 graduating. Concurrently, the construction and equipping of the Former Intelligence Building to be used as a MOLSA VTC will continue, as well as the equipping of the Ministry of Education Industrial School. Training at both centers is expected to begin during the upcoming quarter. Apprenticeships will begin following the graduation of the first class of vocational trainees.

Micro-Small-Medium Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, 180 new grants were approved with a value of $1,935,086, producing 951 new long-term jobs. To date there are 598 grants approved, valued at $4, 766,465 creating 1052 actual long-term jobs. This includes the number of grants completed by IACCI prior to their suspension and eventual cancellation of their contract with IRD. CSP continues to expand MSME grants projects to support long-term job creation and assist other Ramadi districts heavily damaged due to insurgent activities. This includes the opening of a new sub-office on Al Mostada street to improve access to numerous city districts in South Ramadi and in the agriculturally rich Jazeera district. In the latter district, CSP's intends to reactivate the vital agricultural sector that Ramadi so heavily depended on in the past and which has seen much neglect and damage. Twelve agricultural projects were approved by the end of the reporting period.

With regards to business skills training, no new training occurred during this reporting period.

b. Key Challenges

~ Issue: Numerous problems and issues arose with IRD's subcontractor IACCI. Because of this, Business Skills Training and their MSME grants program were suspended and have since been discontinued. No Business Skills Training was implemented during the reporting period due to a lack of qualified personnel and/or a capable local partner organization.

~ Solution: CSP continued throughout the reporting period to find a feasible approach to starting up Business Skills Training. Due to the lack of qualified personnel and partner organizations, IRD supported training of local staff. In coordination with a recently identified partner organization, Business Skills Training is expected to start during the first month of the next reporting period utilizing the recently trained local staff.

~ Issue: Transportation in and around Ramadi continues to be difficult due to numerous IP, Iraqi Army and US Military check points. This often leads to delays of CSP staff trying to reach grantees to carry out project activities.

~ Solution: CSP has tried to overcome such obstacles through setting up sub-offices and using local staff from that districts who can access the sub-office and the grantees in a timely manner, limiting the amount of time for travel to and from the CSP Ramadi Administrative office.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 44 c. Sector Outlook

Focus on CSP' s original targeted economic zones; 17th Street and Malaab Main street will abate, while more emphasis on reaching business in South Ramadi districts and in Jazeera will continue and expand to meet the varying needs. CSP will continue to target these locations using local sub-offices. Business Skills Training will begin at the Ramadi Business Center during the next quarter and will focus on providing training to grantees who have received grants during the past quarters.

Youth Activities

a. Achievements

During the reporting period, CSP completed four projects and began implementation of three others with 1,270 participants. Participants took part in a football championship and English and computer courses; including a course for 60 women hosted at the Iraqi Independent Women's Association Center. A total of 350 participants from Habbiniya and Ramadi took part in English and computer courses held at the Ramadi Business Center. CSP utilized facilities previously rehabilitated and equipped by CSP to activate and ensure the success of the two centers.

b. Key Challenges

~ Issue: As is the case with many other projects, accessing project sites is often difficult for CSP staff, as well as participants of the soccer championships and league. This results in game delays and postponements.

Solution: CSP staff has attempted to alleviate this problem through advising local authorities about the project and the need for access to areas where the games take place.

~ Issue: Ensuring end-users continue to maintain and support projects that have been completed by CSP. After completion ofrehabilitation projects through CIES and equipping projects through EGY; many projects are being left ill maintained even after the end users agreed to support the structure or facility after project completion.

Solution: CSP continues to discuss with end-users of completed projects their responsibilities. Through less ambiguous written agreements that specify the necessary support required by CSP for project implementation, end-users will be better informed of their obligations after project completion. A monetary value is also being requested to be provided in these agreements as part of their community contribution.

c. Sector Outlook

Greater emphasis will be placed on developing new youth activities. These will include first aid training, computer courses, English languages and other non-sporting activities and more life-skills building. CSP will continue to develop training courses at the Iraqi Independent Women's Center and will also begin athletic activities at two sports facilities recently rehabilitated by CSP. English and Computer training courses will continue and be expanded during the next quarter at both the Iraqi Independent Women's Center and Ramadi Business Center.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 45 F. Al Qaim

Administrative Overview

The Al Qaim region's security situation continues as one of the most stable in Iraq. During the reporting period CSP continued to focus its efforts, with the support oflocal government officials and MNF-W, on the sectors that provide the most sustainable benefit to the community. These are vocational education, apprenticeship and long­ term job placement, staff development, sewing and tailoring program including the expansion to Ramanah, English and Arabic language development, basic Health Care Training for Nurses and the MSME grants program. CSP implemented a school desk program for vocational training participants and apprentices to construct 1,000 new school desks, and repair 500 existing school desks.

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services

a. Achievements

During this reporting period CSP continued to focus its CIES efforts on school renovation projects, youth centers, a children's park, a conference room addition to the region's municipal building and repair of the region's central fuel storage facility. CSP completed three school renovation projects. The municipal building conference room addition was completed and allows officials a facility to host large meetings. The fuel storage facility was repaired and returned to operation for the first time in five years.

A small I 00-worker solid waste management project was completed in the Husaybah City area of Al Qaim with municipal officials partially taking over this effort. A municipal solid waste handling truck will be towed to the vocational training center for the vocational training motor vehicle repair participants to repair and gain hands-on vehicle repair experience. The PRT will purchase vehicle replacement parts.

A small 80-worker solid waste management project began in the Ubaydi City area of Al Qaim. Ubaydi municipal officials are committed to purchase solid waste receptacles and takeover the project at completion.

A small 100-worker solid waste management project began in the Karabalah City area of Al Qaim. Karabalah municipal officials are committed to takeover this project.

CSP hosted a CIES conference to encourage and empower local officials to identify and prioritize CIES projects throughout the region. Government officials established local committees to identify their most pressing needs. Meetings were then held to prioritize CIES projects across the region.

b. Key Challenges

>- Issue: CSP hosted officials and representatives from across the Al Qaim region to mentor participants in a CIES project identification process. CSP reviewed USAID/IRD/CSP requirements. The goal for CSP was identification and a consensus of the region' s most pressing needs. Government officials established local committees and meetings were held. The result was the identification of projects that do not have widespread support. This has resulted in community criticism of CSP CIES efforts.

Solution: CSP continues to work with government officials and community representatives to mentor them to work with their communities to explain the selection process, the limited resources of CSP and the need for broad acceptance of CIES projects. Improved transparency by the committees in the way projects are judged and selected will resolve these problems.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 46 c. Sector Outlook

The next quarter will see the implementation of projects that are the result of additional community project identification meetings and acceptance in the communities. This may result in a continued slow down of CIES activity. CIES will focus on projects that address needs of the community that the government cannot or does not have funding for, such as schools, youth centers, water treatment and network systems, and recreational projects.

At the request of municipal officials and MNF-W, CSP will prepare and implement small, 80 to 100 workers, solid waste management projects in the Ramanah, and Sada City areas of Al Qaim. The solid waste management projects increase civic pride and assist MNF-W efforts.

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships

a. Achievements

The renovation and equipping of the Al Qaim Regional VTC, the Husaybah Women's Sewing VTC and the Ramanah Women's Sewing VTC continued this reporting period. CSP continues supporting operation of the VTCs but day to day management decisions and instruction of students are the responsibility of the VTC staff.

CSP hosted an expert IRD staff member from Baghdad to assist VTC instructors in effective vocational training.

Courses being offered at the VTCs meet local employment needs and demands, and include both construction and non-construction trades. Construction courses include welding, plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, masonry, concrete work, plastering and painting. Non-construction trades include appliance maintenance and repair, motor winding, HVAC, computer repair and operation, ceramic and mosaic tile work, motor vehicle repair and sewing.

The program, built from the ground up by CSP, local government, MNF-W and the community has been tremendously successful and the showcase of the city mayor and MNF-W officials. CSP continues to work closely with area employers for the placement of apprentices in long term employment.

To date CSP has graduated 355 VTC participants, and placed 244 VTC graduates into apprenticeships. Each VTC graduate received tool-of-the-trade equipment upon completion. Thirty-eight apprentices earned full time jobs after apprenticeship.

b. Linkages

The Al Qaim representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA) are taking a more active role working with CSP for the selection ofVTC participants and placement ofVTC graduates and apprentices.

Meetings attended by CSP and MOLSA representatives were held to build a foundation the eventual takeover ofVTC and apprenticeship by MOLSA. Regularly scheduled meetings are planned.

c. Key Challenges

? Issue: The success of vocational training in Al Qaim has created a large demand for participation. Approximately 700 persons attended registration for future VTC sessions. CSP had planned for 200 participants.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 47 Solution: CSP will make provisions to increase the number of VTC participants to 280. ~ Issue: The success of vocational training in Al Qaim has created demand for additional course areas.

Solution: CSP will add additional VTC computer training capacity and VTC mobile phone maintenance and repair training.

d. Sector Outlook

CSP will continue work to finalize an agreement with MOLSA Al Qaim and Baghdad to take over responsibility for the VTC and apprenticeship.

Micro-Small-Medium Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training

a. Achievements

To date, there are 159 approved BDP grants being processed. These are valued at $509,446. Of the total, 31 are completed grants valued at $87,352 with 99 actual long-term jobs created.

CSP hired additional BDP grants personnel, and they completed training presented by CSP experts in Ramadi and Erbil. This will allow CSP to increase the number of grants being processed.

CSP has not offered business skills training as there is no local or national implementing partner available in Al Qaim. However, CSP has identified capable local business skills trainers who will be trained through the Iraq-wide CSP business skills training program. This will permit the offering of business skills courses in Al Qaim. CSP will monitor these efforts. Work continues to support the establishment of a local business center from which skills trainings can be offered. A CSP-supported business center director was hired.

b. Key Challenges

~ Issue: Currently, there is little support in Al Qaim for a business development center.

Solution: CSP will continue to work with the local government, local businesses and MNF-W to empower the local community to support a business development center. CSP and the local government have identified a facility. The facility will require renovation and equipment. The center will require skilled staff to present business training, and assist existing and start-up businesses. CSP will focus its efforts to teach general management skills such as accounting, human resources, financial management, marketing, IT skills and English language.

c. Sector Outlook

CSP will increase the number of BDP grants being processed with the additional staff recently hired and trained. CSP will open satellite BDP grant offices throughout the Al Qaim region. This will allow for more points of contact for proposed grant recipients. CSP will complete the preparation of the Al Qaim Business Development Center. CSP begin offering business training courses. Linkages between BDP grants, apprenticeship graduates, vocational training graduates and CIES projects will continue to be formed. Apprentice and vocational training graduates who demonstrate a willingness to form businesses will be encouraged to apply for BDP grants.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 48 Youth Activities

a. Achievements

During the reporting period, CSP completed the Coaches and Referee's Training Program. CSP began the Al Qaim Language Development Center, the Beginning Nurses and Health Care Training program, and the Region Wide Youth Activities program. These programs were implemented with assistance by community officials and government leaders. These activities brought together 753 youth from various tribes and areas of the region.

b. Key Challenges

Issue: Al Qaim continues with no existing community sports entities for CSP to partner with to assist with the implementation of youth programs. The local government lacks the personnel, skill and funds to assist with implementation of youth programs. There are no representatives of the MoYS and no means of collaborating with them.

Solution: CSP will continue to directly implement youth programs designed in coordination with the Directorate of Education and the local government with CSP taking the lead on development and organization.

c. Sector Outlook

The objective for the next reporting period will be to continue to increase the average daily number of youth participants engaged in youth activities and insure a continuous flow of participants from across the entire Al Qaim region. These activities bring together youths of various tribal, religious and cultural backgrounds in order to share in a common interest, such as sport and language, and build a foundation of tolerance and community.

CSP will continue to sponsor sports programs. CSP will expand the Al Qaim Language Development Center to the residents of the Sada and Ubaydi City areas of Al Qaim. CSP will add a region wide bicycle competition, and a region wide martial arts training program and competition. CSP will continue to work to identify and engage local entities in the presentation of youth programs. CSP will work closely with the Directorate of Education to empower this entity to assist CSP.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 49 G. Habbaniyah

Administrative Overview

This quarter witnessed a significant increase in the number of persons engaged through short term employment as the CIES program began in earnest with a focus on clean up and rubble removal, and EGY launched area sporting tournaments. CIES projects primarily focused on quick-impact area cleaning and rubble removal campaigns, as well as municipality capacity development. Despite lacking an established operating budget, the municipality has become, with considerable assistance from CSP and CERP funding, more active in provision of essential services, including waste management. Habbaniyah also witnessed rapid expansion of the MSME grants program and EGY youth programs. The overall employment/engagement numbers reflect a successful new focus city launch, the results are positive for the long term, and are in synch with the Year II Work Plan.

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the CIES Program completed numerous area cleaning and rubble removal campaigns, rehabilitation and equipping of municipality waste management trucks, rehabilitation of the municipality heavy equipment truck park, and provision of survey and office equipment for the municipality offices. Work was nearly completed on rehabilitation of pavement and curbstones in the Khalidiyah Market Street area and potable water supply projects in Al Jazeera District. Each of these projects is linked to business development, and youth and women's programs through the BDP and EGY sectors. In total 9 infrastructure and essential services projects, including several clean up campaigns, (including the development of an area landfill and design, manufacture and placement of 400 waste receptacles), were completed or were nearing completion during the period.

In Public Works projects, CIES successfully implemented programs focused on short-term employment through essential service projects, such as clean up campaigns, and began project development for recreation, schools, and major infrastructure rehabilitation. As mentioned above, all current and planned CIES projects are linked to the other CSP sectors. While the cleaning campaigns resulted in the anticipated short-term workers engaged, a planned transition out of waste management projects will result in a significant decline in employment numbers in the coming period. This approach is in synch with the Year II Work Plan.

b. Key Challenges

}> Issue: The local municipality is sorely lacking basic tools to maintain or improve essential services of the community. Insurgents, looting and low maintenance has left service departments of the local municipality without the proper tools to repair or maintain systems. Layers of bureaucracy and the requirement that municipal Directorates General secure approval from provincial level Directorates General results in long procurement delays and provide an inability for long range budgeting and program planning.

Solution: CSP in coordination with the local DG of Municipality made arrangements that upon completion, the tools and uniforms used during the Habbaniyah and Khalidiyah cleaning campaigns would be turned over to the Municipality for essential services capacity building. In addition CSP CIES engineers have been working shoulder to shoulder with Municipality engineers and contractors to assist in high quality project implementation standards and overall capacity building.

In Habbaniyah, the local community has taken matters into their own hands: the citizens of three areas in Habbaniyah have joined forces and agreed to pay a small amount per month for the local waste

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 50 management service. This grassroots movement began through meetings held with municipality representatives, neighborhood leaders, tribal elders, and CSP representatives in the CSP office. The outcome approved by the city council and the municipality resulted in the construction of a small municipality building and fenced compound to house one of the municipality waste collection trucks and assorted uniforms and tools. The collected "fees" from the neighborhood areas pay for fuel and worker salaries to ensure the newly cleaned areas remain debris-free and the new municipalities branded receptacles are emptied on a regular basis.

c. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the CIES Program will begin the transition from a focus on clean up and rubble removal into infrastructure projects. These projects will involve business district revitalizations and rehabilitation and integrate with GoI and CERP planned projects. CSP BDP and EGY sectors are intended to synchronize with the infrastructure projects. While the intended shift from clean up and rubble removal projects will impact overall program engagement numbers, this transition is in synch with the Year II Work Plan.

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships

a. Achievements

No activity occurred in this sector for the reporting period. All projects are in the development phase until suitable locations are rehabilitated and equipped. This progress is consistent with the Year II Work Plan.

b. Key Challenges

~ Issue: Development ofvocational training programs that could be sustained by end-users such as MOLSA impeded implementation. MOL SA does not have an effectual staff presence in Anbar province and there is insufficient effort on their part to encourage development of staff to enhance employment services and skills training programs. Additionally, as presented in the Year Two Work Plan, there is not current funding for development of a VTC in the Habbaniyah area.

Solution: CSP Habbaniyah will leverage vocational training centers under development in Fallujah and Ramadi and transport participants for attendance as training programs begin accepting students.

c. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the Habbaniyah CSP VoTech Program and employment generation will leverage opportunities in Fallujah and Ramadi as they are presented. CSP Habbaniyah will continue to seek employment generation opportunities and incorporate them into the overall program. There is no plan for apprenticeships based on the Year II Work Plan, largely due to program budgetary constraints.

Micro-Small-Medium Enterp1ise Grants and Business Skills Training

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the Business Development Program (BDP) has facilitated 26 approved grants with a value of $91, 417 and expected to produce 83 new long-term jobs. Habbaniyah BDP received training from IW BDP and aggressively expanded the BDP program. CSP continues to expand MSME grants projects to continue to support the growth oflong-termjob creation and assist other Habbaniyah districts.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 51 With regards to business skills training, no activity occurred in this sector for the reporting period. All projects are in the development phase until suitable locations are rehabilitated and equipped. Opportunities are being explored with other implementing partners as well as IRD managed training programs.

b. Key Challenges

~ Issue: There has been difficulty locating an NGO to provide Business Development Training for MS1vffi grantees in the Al Anbar/Habbaniyah region.

Solution: A local NGO has been identified to provide Business Development Training for MS1vffi grantees. The CSP Iraqi-Wide BDP team is reviewing the NGO registration with a request for approval to utilize the NGO.

Issue: As more MS1vffi grants are contracted locally, especially for delivery of animals for husbandry grants, it is anticipated the market price for animals purchased locally may rise to unacceptable levels. Currently many contracted items are assessed a "transportation premium" because many items are only available in larger cities such as Baghdad and there can be considerable cost to bring them to outlying towns and villages. Inflation and rising fuel prices may also impact market pricing.

Solution: CSP BPD will monitor closely market conditions through the tendering and procurement department. It may be necessary to re-tender from time to time to test artificiality in the marketplace. Additional options may include a weighting for risk associated with delivering perishable products such as fish or chicks during the hot summer months, and/or contracting further from local markets from time to time to gain additional market perspective.

c. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the BDP Program will continue to expand at a rapid pace. Consistent with the Year II Work Plan, a shift from short-term employment through CIES projects to long­ term employment through MS1vffi grants will occur. A BDP MS1vffi field office will be opened in coordination with market area rehabilitation initiatives. Two primary market areas will be the focuses of the CSP BDP team as well as considerable MS1vffi grants work in the agricultural/animal husbandry sectors in Al Jazeera district. The priority economic zones were identified in coordination with the city mayor and coordinated with the larger reconstruction efforts of Coalition Forces through CERP funding. The number of completed grants is expected to average 50-75 per month.

Youth Activities

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the CSP Youth Activities Program initiated a large-scale soccer project, designed, developed and prepared for three additional sporting projects including vetting of participants and venues, and prepared for student participation in a CSP Ramadi life skills program for 40 Habbaniyah area youths. These efforts resulted in a combined engagement of nearly 1,000 youth, and 104 short-term contract workers. All program activities were in collaboration with local sports committees, the Mayor, the City council and supported by the Directorate General. The "Love and Peace Soccer Championship" was so named by the area youth, who also created the tournament logo and worked diligently to assist in preparing the fields for play. The opening ceremony was widely attended by more than 800 area citizens including council members, Iraqi Police, Iraq Army, Coalition Forces, tribal and community leaders.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 52 b. Key Challenges

~ Issue: The biggest challenges faced by CSP EGY are the size of the area and the transportation needs of the EGY team for coordination, field preparation and movement of area participants. There have also been some transportation difficulties through IP checkpoints as team-members travel to collaborate/receive training from Ramadi EGY.

Solution: CSP Habbaniyah will soon be issued Coalition Forces approved ID badges to reinforce the already issued IRD Badges. It is anticipated the new badges will facilitate more expedited movements for staff members. Additional transportation options are under investigation.

c. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the Youth Activities Program will continue to exceed Year II Work Plan expectations and remain approximately 1000-1500 youth engaged per month. Although sports activities involving young men will continue to engage the majority of youth numbers, a dedicated effort will be made to begin female specific youth programs and explore additional areas for youth engagement. Diverse activities, including English language courses, artistic development, cultural activities, and computer courses, all of which will continue to involve local government are under development.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 53 H. Haditha

Administrative Overview

During the reporting period CSP Haditha continued close coordination with local authorities, ePRT and CAG representatives to the stakeholders with aim to build local capacities and create base for further local and economic development of Haditha Triad. As a result of such cooperation CSP has developed and started implementation of different infrastructure, essential services, business development and other community projects based on local initiative and in accordance with the local development and city plans.

Adequate CSP red zone office was selected and rented in second half of February 2008. The adaptation and equipping of the red zone office is still in process. It is expected that CSP LNS red zone office would be set up and fully operational within the second part of April 2008.

During this quarter 43 local staff was hired and trained. Additional 25 staff members will be hired as soon as the adaptation of the office space is completed. Forty-two selected members of the local National Guard force for the red zone office completed adequate training in Haditha DAM. The training was provided by Saber Security.

During March 2008, CSP Haditha was visited by U.S. Congress Delegation as well as U.S. Senator Mc. Cain. Actual CSP field operations were presented by local Iraqi CSP staff. Positive feedback was received afterwards.

CSP Haditha has been operating from Haditha DAM as well as temporary office established at the Civil Military Operations Center (CMOC) in the city center which is accessible by local population and government officials. According to these circumstances, building of a proper CSP staff structure, overall management and adequate involvement of the staff in the projects realization was a big challenge during the reporting period.

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, Haditha CIES team participated in training with CIES Senior Adviser in Haditha (February 2008). The first CIES projects started to be implemented and there are currently four ongoing CIES projects in total value of $991, 706 and having created 4 79 CIES short-term daily laborers as follows:

1. Haditha Market Street Rehabilitation (street reparation-improvement of existing walking area, electricity and drainage system; beautification of about 140 shops) 2. Haditha Hospital (provision of essential material and small scale equipment) 3. Haditha Clean up Campaign (trash and rubble removal from 7 selected sectors as well as in the administrative and trade center areas; support with small scale equipment and clear plastic bags to be used for already purchased and allocated waste-baskets) 4. Haditha Industrial School Renovation (classroom renovation; renovation of six training­ workshops; adaptation of section for females)

By the end of the reporting period 6 projects in total value of $1 ,103,981 and creating 545 short-term jobs were prepared for tendering as follows: Haqlaniyah and Barwana Market Street reparation, Haqlaniyah and

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 54 Barwana Clean up, Haditha Nursing School and Haditha Industrial School - provision of the equipment. These projects will be underway the first month of the next reporting period.

b. Sector Outlook

CSP Haditha will continue development and realization of different infrastructure projects that will further support and serve as a base for new projects to be implemented by EGY and BDP CSP program components.

To this effect, 6 projects are already under developing phase as follows: Irrigation system rehabilitation, Barwana Technical School rehabilitation, Haditha Youth Center rehabilitation, Haditha Library renovation, Riverside beautification as well as Rehabilitation ofivlicro and Small Business Centers in Haqlaniyah, Haditha and Barwana.

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, CSP Haditha has developed 6 skills training programs (3 for female/ 3 for male) in cooperation with representatives of Haditha Industrial School and based on Industrial School's prior practice and experience. The developed two-months Vocational Trainings for unemployed and unskilled labor from Haditha Triad are as follows: metal processing, mechanical, electric, ceramic processing, cooking and sowing/knitting.

Approval from the Directorate of Education from Ramadi has been provided.

The implementation of the Vocational Trainings will start as soon as the rehabilitation of the Industrial school in Haditha is completed. It is expected that these projects would be underway in the next reporting period.

Micro-Small-Medium Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, Haditha BDP team participated in training with Iraq wide Team in Erbil (February 2008). During the first part of March 2008 the team began receiving applications and preparing for PAC. By the end of the period 20 grant applications had been received and 8 MSME grants have been approved, valued at $38,906.

b. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter MSME grants will be also a priority for Haditha CSP with an average of 25 grants completed per month, starting with the beginning of the next reporting period.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 55 Youth Activities

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, Haditha EGY team participated in training with Iraq wide Team in Erbil (February 2008). The first Youth projects started with implementation within the last two weeks of the reporting period:

1. Haditha Soccer Championship: the project will directly benefit 275 young persons. Haditha Dam village soccer field has a capacity of about 300-500 visitors. It is estimated that minimum 3 000 young people will enjoy watching the games during the project realization; 2. Haqlaniyah Soccer Championship: the project will directly benefit 208 young persons. Haqlaniyah soccer field has capacity of about 200-300 visitors. It is estimated that minimum 2 000 young people will enjoy watching the games during the project realization.

By the end of the reporting period one project, the Barwana Soccer Championship valued at $47,250, was prepared for tendering. The project will benefit 175 young persons and be watched by 1 500 visitors. This project will be underway the first month of the next reporting period.

b. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the Youth Activities Program will continue supporting the local soccer and other sports clubs as well as different youth initiatives in coordination with the local Youth centers and MOYS.

Several projects are already under the development phase such as Computer and English language courses in cooperation with Haditha Library and open youth forums as well as T-walls painting in cooperation with Haditha Youth Center.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 56 I. Hit

Administrative Overview

While short-term public works projects had been planned and several started during this reporting period, CSP has shifted its focus to long-term employment. Subsequently, the quick impact, short-term employment that had been stimulated through CIES activities during the reporting period will conclude during the first half of the second reporting period for Year 2. The CIES team's work has improved CSP' s reputation with local players throughout the greater Hit area. Projects geared toward schools and essential services have earned high marks from the community's citizens. The BDP team spent the reporting period gaining experience and building its reputation by providing 14 grants to recipients throughout the area. The BDP team then focused attention on creating more long-term employment by developing plans to provide MSNIB grants to strategic economic zones in the city of Hit. During the end of the quarter, this initiative saw 31 micro and small grants approved for recipients to establish or expand small businesses in the Al Jameya district of Hit. In coordination with the Hit Mayor's Office and other area municipalities, the BDP team will also target smaller pockets of economic growth throughout the neighboring villages and smaller communities surrounding Hit. This complementary initiative to the larger economic zones in Hit will go into effect during the next quarter. The EGY team has gained more experience as it orchestrated a school cleanup project and started developing youth training courses.

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the CIES Program started 12 projects throughout the greater Hit area. Three of the 12 projects were completed during the reporting period, including a school rehabilitation; the provision of furniture, electricity, and water to a school; and a community disposal and sewage project. Additionally, three of the 12 CIES projects are slated to be finished during the first weeks of the next quarter. A primary focus of the CIES Program has been the rehabilitation of the Ministry of Higher Education Industrial School. Currently an ongoing project, the completion of the industrial school will create needed linkages to the EGY Program's VoTech training.

b. Key Challenges

~ Issue: Having already tendered seven cleaning campaigns, of which four were started during the early weeks of the reporting period, the CIES Program was instructed to phase out of cleaning campaigns.

Solution: Per the guidance and direction of the USAID Mission, the CIES Program canceled the remaining three cleaning campaigns that had yet to start. The four cleaning campaigns that had already been started before receiving such guidance will be completed in the early weeks of the next reporting period.

c. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the CIES Program will complete a canal restoration project in Hit, rehabilitate a municipal building in Kubaysah, create a community park in Al-Phurat, continue rehabilitating the Hit abattoir, and rehabilitate four schools throughout the area. The CIES Program will also develop and begin the rehabilitation of a community center, another park, and additional primary schools.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 57 Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the Vo Tech and Apprenticeship Program has continued to stimulate training initiatives within the area. An electrician training has been developed and is scheduled to begin during the next reporting period. It will begin with a 15-person class in Kubaysah. The VoTech and Apprenticeship Program has also been developing a sewing training for the women of Hit. This training has already received great interest from several women in the community.

b. Linkages

Still being finalized, the sewing training is in the process of being linked to the newly rehabilitated women's center in Hit. The women's center, redone with Commander's Emergency Response Program (CERP) funds, is the ideal location as the sewing training is designed so that it can transition trainees into a working role within a business to be established within the same space. Local factories and schools have expressed interest in buying uniforms from such a local business.

c. Key Challenges

}- Issue: Despite receiving much interest from women in the community, the sewing training has garnered limited support from key political figures in the city of Hit and its surrounding area. These community players feel strongly that such time, energy, and money should be directed elsewhere, not toward a sewing training program and subsequent business within the women's center.

Solution: Key CSP-Hit staff have met with the community players and have come to an understanding that an additional feasibility study will be conducted, and with the anecdotal support about the success of a similar training and business initiative in Ramadi, all parties have agreed that the sewing training and subsequent business should continue to move forward.

d. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the Vo Tech and Apprenticeship Program and employment generation will conduct electrician trainings in Kubaysah and other cities as needed, finalize the women's sewing training, and ensure the development of future training to be conducted at the ivfinistry of Higher Education Industrial School that is currently being rehabilitated.

Micro-Small-Medium Enterp1ise Grants and Business Skills Training

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the Business Development Program (BDP) has continued to receive several applications for grants. In coordination with community players, Hit BDP has started awarding grants in a focused business zone of Hit. The majority of the grants are being focused toward one strategic area at a time, starting with 30 grants within the Al-Jamey a district of Hit.

With regards to business skills training, Hit BDP is scheduled to participate in future training with CSP's BDP Iraq-wide team. Linkages with the Iraqi Center for Business Community Development (ICBCD) have yet to be established.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 58 b. Key Challenges

~ Issue: Due to the volume of interest in grants from community members, Hit BDP has been required to grow in order to accommodate the people's needs. Subsequently, new staff and future staff continue to require training.

Solution: New BDP staff members have been hired during this reporting period and another six to eight BDP staff members are projected to be hired during the early weeks of the next reporting period. Hit BDP will continue to utilize the expertise of CSP' s BDP Iraq-wide team.

c. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the BDP Program will transition focus from the Al-Jamey a district to the industrial area of Hit. In order to accommodate the needs of the neighboring communities of Hit, grants will also be strategically awarded to the communities ofKubaysah, Mohammadi, and Baghdadi. Hit BDP will continue to hire additional staff to bolster its capacity to meet the needs of more grant applicants and grantees.

Youth Activities

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the Youth Activities Program has developed a major youth soccer tournament to take place during the next reporting period. In all, 24 teams are expected to participate in the upcoming tournament. Twelve teams will come from the city of Hit, while the remaining 12 teams will be comprised of young men from the neighboring districts and cities.

b. Key Challenges

~ Issue: During this reporting period, key Employment Generation and Youth (EGY) staff was released due to poor performance. This created a setback to youth activities in Hit.

Solution: A new EGY Manager was identified and hired during the reporting period. He has already been instrumental in developing the youth soccer tournament that is scheduled to begin during the first week of April.

c. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the Youth Activities Program will conduct the soccer tournament with a scheduled end-date of July 5, 2008. The Youth Activities Program will also explore and develop additional projects in sports, English language classes, computer software training, firefighting training, and first-aid.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 59 J. Baqoubah

Administrative Overview

The first quarter of 2008 was a time of significant change for Baqoubah CSP. The quarter started out with the program being shut down due to a security threat. This threat resulted not only in the program being stalled, but also a change in office location and a decision to reduce exposure oflocal staff.

CSP leadership were also required to remove 15 employees for lack of performance. This decision initially created political turmoil as many of the employees had personal connections to GOI officials, but later resulted in increased motivation for remaining staff. Instead of a central office location for all staff, CSP created satellite offices in various GOI locations associated with each component as well as allowed certain key staff to work from home. This not only reduced visibility of staff, it also sent the message that CSP is a community based program where staff are in constant contact with decision makers as opposed to an office-based operation.

A major hurdle was finding qualified staff. To date CSP Baqoubah has 29 program and administrative staff. To fully implement the program to meet targets, CSP ideally would need at least 50-60 staff members. Positions are being filled on a constant basis, but reaching optimal level may not be possible. CSP Baqoubah has made the decision to only fill positions with qualified people. To overcome this issue, CSP senior staff takes on additional workloads outside their scope to make up for this. Office Manager Tanya Arslan and Finance Director Maysaa Al-Tamimi take on cross-functional roles to assist program component members in preparing proposals and ensuring procedural compliance as they are fluent English speaker and can translate proposals. In addition, they have good management skills and are extremely dedicated to making the program work.

A new program strategy was also implemented with a geographic and integrated approach. Instead of attempting to do ad-hoc projects throughout Baqoubah, CSP targeted certain neighborhoods, keeping in mind fairness to both Sunni and Shia sects. CSP then created neighborhood teams consisting of all program components (EGY, BDP, CIES) and integrated each into a strategy where CSP will make a visible difference in a small area in hopes that other areas will see the improvement and contribute to their own rebuilding. Through interacting with community leaders and GOI officials, CSP Baqoubah has streamlined its operations and is now positioned to break ground on over 30 projects in the second quarter of 2008.

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the CIES Program created 1,082 person months of employment. This achievement was due to a 1,000 man cleaning campaign encompassing all ofBaqoubah. Unfortunately this project was prematurely terminated due to a difficulty in monitoring workers and disagreements between the Municipality and contractor.

CIES Baqoubah approved 22 projects in the reporting period, with 4 already through the tender and awarding phase. Since CSP Baqoubah has almost reached it short term employment targets, it is focusing more on rebuilding of parks and roads while taking a cautious approach to trash cleaning campaigns. This cautious approach is due to our lack of staff and its limited ability to monitor large scale cleaning campaigns. In addition, the municipality ofBaqoubah is yet to devise a strategy to take care of the trash problem, making large scale cleaning campaigns a mere "band-aid" as opposed to part of a long term solution. In short, the garbage will return once the campaign ends. CSP leadership has engaged the Municipality on this issue and will work with them to help find a strategy where both CSP can help clean trash while the Municipality ensures that they have a long term plan to take over responsibility.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 60 CIES plays a major role in the integrated strategy of targeting specific neighborhoods. Once the new strategy was introduced in late February 2008, CIES staff met with the Mayor ofBaqoubah and Municipality to find out what projects were needed in each of the three targeted neighborhoods (Shifta, Hay Mulameen and Al Abarra). Various proposals were developed in coordination with the Municipality and included park renovation, road and sidewalk repair, school renovation, beautification with plants/flowers, and repair of bus stops. These projects are centered in a specific geographic area so as to create a noticeable difference. Small cleaning campaigns are also part of this integrated strategy, though at a smaller scale than the previous large cleaning campaign. The cleaning campaigns will take place during the period where other projects are being implemented so as to create a "final product". To give incentive to contractors, each cleaning campaign will be 1 month in duration and be re-tendered for up to 2 additional months. This decision was made so CSP has the freedom to change contractors ifthe work is not completed to specifications in the BOQ and to provide incentive for contractors to properly implement the work.

b. Key Challenges

>- Issue: Lack of qualified staff is a major issue. The amount of projects proposed has created a bottle-neck in tendering in procurement. In addition to a lack of tendering and procurement capacity, CIES staff consists of only 11 people. These individuals are a mix of engineers and program officers. Since other program components are stretched thin as well, engineers are also expected to help with BOQ preparation for BDP grants and renovation ofVoTech Centers. Likewise, program officers are limited and sectarianism in Baqoubah makes it not viable for certain program officers to work in certain areas. Monitoring implementation on a daily basis will be problematic and ensuring complete BOQs will be difficult because the team simply doesn't have enough time to complete all the work necessary.

>- Solution: To solve the T&P issue, CSP Baqoubah allows other administrative staff to work in cross­ functional areas. CSP also strategically tenders projects based on ease of implementation and anticipated impact on the community. CSP is also actively recruiting additional staff for T &P and will hire new staff when good candidates are found.

Regarding the lack of engineers, our staff will replicate previous proposals in different geographic locations so as to not have to re-write entire proposals for each new project. In addition, as the new strategy is implemented and qualified contractors identified, CSP Baqoubah will start to develop larger projects to reduce the overall number of proposals being generated (current proposals are somewhat small because we want to test the system before attempting large projects). This will only take place once contractors have developed a track record and municipality coordination is ensured.

To help monitor programs as well as to ensure GOI coordination, CSP will hire short-term contractors to oversee the implementation of each project and to ensure municipality compliance. The scope of their work will include coordinating CSP efforts with municipality and site-monitoring on behalf of the municipality to ensure that work being done is within the guidelines agreed to between CSP and local authorities.

c. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the CIES Program will complete all projects in each of the first 3 targeted neighborhoods. CSP will then move to 3 new neighborhoods and implement the same strategy. Proposals for new neighborhoods will commence by mid-May and ground will be broken on first projects by June 15, 2008 with completion of work for all projects expected by September 30, 2008.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 61 Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the Vo Tech and Apprenticeship Program Representative has met with the Ministry of Education representative in Diyala Province and came to an initial understanding about renovating and using the Hateen School as a Vocational Training Center. The center is in decent shape and currently acts as an industrial secondary school.

CSP Baqoubah is also working with the Directorate General of Agriculture to implement an Agricultural Vocational Training Center in Baqoubah. The idea is to educate 400-500 agricultural workers on the use of greenhouses and development of saplings using modem growing techniques. Classroom participation will be for one day per week followed by 4 days of actual field work at the Baqoubah nursery. This program is still in development and may or may not come to fruition.

The VoTech and Apprenticeship program in Baqoubah is still in its infancy in Baqoubah with a new VoTech Manager only hired at the end of the quarter. The EGY Manager took on the additional role of setting up the agreement with the Ministry of Education.

b. Linkages

The apprenticeship program will not be underway until at least August, if at all. CSP Baqoubah will first need to start the VoTech Center and then attempt to implement this program.

c. Key Challenges

~ Issue: Since CSP Baqoubah is located in the Provincial Governance Center along side the PRT, confusing PRT programs to integrate Sons oflraq (SOis) with CSP Vo Tech have occurred. In addition, there is limited to no MOLSA representation in Diyala.

~ Issue: The Agricultural program is non-traditional and was not an organized effort at first resulting in much incorrect information being passed to the implementing partner.

The initial agricultural program was scrapped and CSP is attempting to re-work the program following program guidelines. The Directorate of Agriculture still may not agree to the new terms, in which case the program will be canceled.

d. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the VoTech and Apprenticeship Program will renovate the Hateen facility for use in last quarter and through December 2008. CSP will sign a memorandum of understanding in mid April and complete scope of work for renovation by May in hopes of having classes start by July 1. Classes will take place in the afternoon and instructors from the school will be used and paid supplemental stipends. Our program hinges on our ability to work with the Ministry of Education and our ability to renovate the facility in a timely manner.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 62 Micro-Small-Medium Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training

a. Achievements The Business Development Program has initiated efforts to extend grants within CSP's three target geographic locations by setting up 6 Grant Endorsement Committees, though no grants have been distributed. These committees consist oflocal Mukhtars and community leaders.

CSP POD also met with prominent Sheikhs to gain buy in. It is believed that ifthe Sheikhs understand the program and its principal oflong term job creation, they will be able to use their influence within the tribal system to reduce incidents of selling of assets after grant disbursement, a major concern of CSP Baqoubah.

During this reporting period, the Business Development Training (BDT) Program has attempted to forge relationships with local NGOs to act as implementing partners. This program is in its infancy, with the new Business Development Training officer still awaiting training in Baghdad.

b. Key Challenges

}> Issue: A lack ofNGOs in Baqoubah as well as finding a secure location for activity is problematic.

Solution: BDT is still actively seeking partners and is in contact with 4Points Consulting in Dubai as they have indicated that they have assets in Baqoubah. It may be necessary to send trainees to Baghdad for training and use facilities and staff already in place there as local NGO partnership may not be possible.

c. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the BDP program will disburse numerous grants based on its integrated strategy of focusing on specific geographic locations within Baqoubah Qada. CSP will also maintain close relationship with tribal leaders and work with them to ensure long term job growth results from these grants.

The BDT program will either locate local NGOs to work with or work with existing ones in Baghdad and send trainees there for training.

Youth Activities

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the Youth Activities Program has approved 2 Youth Soccer tournaments in the integrated neighborhood program and has 2 more in development. The Youth activities program also will be working with local partners to develop a social awareness program, but this initiative is still in its infancy.

b. Key Challenges

}> Issue: The team implementing Youth Activities is still new to the program, with most receiving training in February. The team also is very small and needs to be expanded as the team is entirely Sunni, making work in Shia areas problematic due to security.

Solution: The Youth Activities team has been trained and has now hired a new Shia team member who is waiting to be trained. Prior to this, Sunni team members worked with Shia members in other departments as part of sub-teams assigned to each geographic region. This integrated approach allowed the Sunni

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 63 members to work in Shia in areas as the Shia introduced them to the community leaders and accompanied them to meetings, ensuring their safety.

c. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the Youth Activities Program will implement various soccer tournaments in and around Baqoubah. In addition, if approved NGO partners are identified, the Youth Activities Program looks forward to implementing social awareness programs.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 64 K Basra

Administrative Overview

This quarter marked the launch of CSP programming in the Basra governorate and the redeployment on site of the POD and POO. On the administrative level, the period was characterized by ramping up of national staff, familiarization with the local security context, efforts to improve force protection measures for expatriate staff, completing badging procedures for national staff, setting up filing and communication systems, and establishing communication channels with PRT, British ivfilitary, Regional Embassy Office (REO), and others.

Although the Basra city office was almost fully staffed by the time the POD and POO returned early January, additional staff were hired in the CIES and BDP departments, as well as tendering/procurement, to enable rapid start-up of proposal development. By the end of the quarter, a total of 86 full-time national staff, including drivers and office security, were employed by CSP. Procedures were initiated at the Basra Air Station (BAS) to obtain BIV badges allowing department heads and other key staff to be able to visit BAS on a regular basis for meetings and coordination.

Work was ongoing throughout the quarter to construct hard overhead force protection above four trailers designated as residential cabins for IRD CSP and Security Provider/Sabre teams. At the end of the quarter the works were almost complete, and the POD, POO and two Sabre members were able to relocate to the protected cabins in March. By the end of the quarter, concurrent with the onset of Operation "Charge of the Knights" in Basra, there had been a marked decrease in the frequency ofIDF. However, the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Security Forces operations in the city also resulted in an interruption of weekly meetings at BAS with national staff, and postponement of project activities in neighborhoods that were under curfew.

Other administrative tasks early in the quarter included setting up filing systems and conducting training for national staff on the standards required for gathering and archiving project documentation. It was agreed that two sets of files would be kept- one downtown and one at the BAS office- and systems were established to facilitate the regular transfer of documents between the downtown office and BAS. Instant messaging programs were also installed on staff computers to facilitate more frequent communication.

A series of meetings were also held early in the quarter at BAS with PRT, British Military (J-9), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, REO, UNDP, UNAMI, RTI, and MSI, to introduce the CSP program, open channels of communication, and identify areas for coordination.

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services

a. Achievements

CSP Basra approved seven projects during this quarter, with an additional seven projects under development. The geographic reach of CSP Basra CIES projects covers five of the governorate's seven districts.

Projects were identified in coordination with the Basra PRT, whose governance section has worked closely with the Provincial Council and Governor's Office to establish transparent systems for identifying and vetting new projects under the Quick Response Fund (QRF). A number of new projects approved or under development by CSP Basra were identified through the coordination mechanisms established by the PRT. These are projects from the PRT's QRT list, for which the PRT does not have adequate funding.

The focus on canal restoration is particularly well-suited to Basra, whose canals play an important role for irrigation, reducing the salinity of agricultural fields, and drainage of storm water/wastewater in more urban

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 65 areas. Many of Basra's canals are no longer functional due to decades of inadequate maintenance and neglect, which has led to the overgrowth of weeds, deposits of silt which have formed islands, and large quantities of accumulated rubbish, which contributes to increased rates of morbidity for vector- and water-borne diseases. Several canals are also in need of basic maintenance of their regulator gates.

At the end of the quarter, four projects were in the process of being tendered, including three projects to restore canals and one for the rehabilitation of a girls' secondary school. Staff also undertook primary assessments for the rehabilitation needs of two important hospitals, the Ibn Al-Ghazwan Maternal and Child Health Hospital, and the Abu Al-Khaseeb Hospital.

The Public Works projects were still in tendering at the end of the quarter.

b. Key Challenges

~ Issue: One ongoing challenge during the reporting period has been the issue of families that are squatting on small islands in Al-Halaf Canal, which has been identified for restoration and cleaning. The small islands were formed by the accumulation over time of silt and debris deposits, and the islands themselves are targeted for removal as part of the restoration activity.

Solution: CIES staff spent several weeks during the quarter in close coordination with the Al-Hartha Subdistrict Council responsible for the Al-HalafCanal, to encourage the council to identify an appropriate solution to the squatters. Recently, however, this council was dissolved by the Basra Provincial Council, and CSP must now work to find other local authorities with whom to engage on this issue.

c. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the CIES program will complete implementation of canal restoration at six initial sites whose projects were being tendered at the end of the current reporting period. The CIES program will also complete work on improving the median strip and curbstones in a 500-meter stretch of road in SafWan, and rehabilitation of the Zamzam Secondary School for Girls in Shatt Al-Arab. The program will also approve and begin tendering for several additional projects identified from the PRT's list of QRF projects.

Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships

a. Achievements

The governorate of Basra is served by three MOLSA-affiliated vocational training centers, in Khur Az-Zubair, Abu Al-Khaseeb, and Basra city (Hayaniya neighborhood). Of these, only the first two are operational, and the third is in need of extensive rehabilitation. CSP Basra has launched vocational skills training in both Khur Az-Zubair and Abu Al-Khaseeb, for 275 trainees.

The ongoing training programs include one class in carpentry, and two classes in each of the following subject areas: HVAC maintenance, general electrician work, electrical fixtures, automotive electrician work, and welding. Classes began in February, and will run for four months.

Recognizing that roughly half of the governorate 's population is concentrated in Basra district, CSP's vocational training activities have focused on trainees from Basra city and surrounding areas. However, due to the current state of disrepair at the Basra VTC, trainees travel daily between Basra and VTCs at Khur Az­ Zubair and Abu Al-Khaseeb.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 66 In the area of apprenticeships, CSP Basra has not yet graduated any trainees from the recently-launched vocational training programs, whose graduates will become candidates for placement into apprenticeships in June. Nonetheless, CSP Basra has been working with MOLS A to obtain a list of persons who recently graduated from VTC programs prior to the launch of CSP vocational training in February. Such persons will be screened for eligibility as candidates for apprenticeships. Staff are also working to have publicity materials printed to help with efforts to identify local craftsmen to provide apprenticeships. A number of attractive posters developed by CSP Kirkuk were recently shared with Basra staff, and will be reproduced locally. All promotional materials will credit the MOLSA-affiliated Employment Services Center (ESC) in Basra city.

CSP Basra has also hired a full-time registration officer to assist the Employment Services Center with registration ofunemployedjobseekers. The registration officer will improve the ESC's ability to maintain more complete and current rosters, and will also assist with improving information sharing and general communication between the ESC and CSP Basra.

b. Linkages

Participants for vocational training are identified from rosters of unemployed job-seekers that have previously registered through the MOLSA Employment Services Center (ESC) in Basra city. This center is supported by CSP, which provides a full-time registration officer, who assists with data entry and compiling rosters for MOLSA and CSP's EGY programs. In addition to raising the ESC's profile as a focal point for arranging apprenticeships and job placement, CSP Basra is looking at ways to leverage the ESC for dissemination of information about BDP grants for VTC graduates and others.

CSP will also be looking at ways to encourage CIES contractors to provide meaningful work to VTC graduates from electrical installations and plumbing courses, which will produce their first graduates in June and August, respectively.

c. Key Challenges

~ Issue: The two functioning vocational training centers in Basra govemorate can only accommodate a combined maximum of 1000 trainees at any given time. Given the population of Basra, there is a need to increase the capacity ofVTCs and therefore the provision of vocational skills to unemployed youth. Furthermore, the two functioning VTCs are located at a considerable distance from the govemorate's population center, Basra city. This entails significant cost and time to transport trainees from Basra city to the VTCs, which are located in different districts.

Solution: In response to the request ofMOLSA, CSP Basra is considering the rehabilitation of the govemorate's third VTC, located in the Hayaniya neighborhood of Basra city. One of the challenges facing MOLSA and CSP is the presence of a number of homeless squatters who have taken up residence at the center. Constructive discussions have been held during this quarter with MOLSA representatives in Baghdad, the Basra VTC director, Basra PRT, and British Military (J-9). As of the quarter's end, CSP Basra engineers are planning to undertake a detailed assessment of the rehabilitation needs of the center, with an aim to develop a project proposal and bill of quantities. MOLSA has indicated that it will take responsibility for relocating the squatters from the VTC site. As of the end of the quarter, the Hayaniya neighborhood was one of a number of areas where the Iraqi Army encountered violent resistance during recent operations to disarm militias.

~ Issue: The program has faced challenges identifying employers who agree to provide apprenticeships or long-term jobs for VTC graduates.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 67 Solution: The program will find new ways of utilizing the presence established at the ESC to boost the program's credibility with prospective employers and master trainers. Flyers, posters, and brochures using the ESC logo are in the process of being produced, and staff will canvas Basra's industrial zones to improve outreach to prospective employers and master trainers.

d. Sector Outlook

Proposals have been approved for additional classes in plumbing, general electrician work, automotive mechanics, generator repair, pipe/valve maintenance, and sewing, which are projected to begin in late April. By May, it is expected that CSP Basra will have 625 trainees enrolled daily in ongoing vocational training, representing 63% of the total capacity of available training centers in the govemorate. Boosting the attendance rate of enrolled attendees to maximum capacity is foreseen in the upcoming quarter.

In addition, temporary training facilities are envisioned to be constructed while the Hiyaniya VTC is under development. These facilities may consist of Rubb Halls, reinforced tents or containerized units appropriate for conducting educational activities. This option will allow CSP to proceed with tendering of equipment, rather that waiting for finalization of the Hiyaniya facility. A site has also been identified for the possible construction of a new VTC, although it is still too early to determine which option will be accepted by the primary stakeholders.

Micro-Small-Medium Enterp1ise Grants and Business Skills Training

a. Achievements

CSP Basra approved a total of 34 MSME grants during the quarter, with a total value of $85, 733. All of these grants are in the "micro" category, with an average grant value of $2,522, and slightly more than half are in the service sector. By the end of the quarter, seven grants were completed, creating 16 long-term jobs, of which seven were for women. All of the grants approved during the quarter are for businesses located in Basra district, with the exception of four grants in Az-Zubair district.

During the coming quarter, CSP Basra will expand the geographic reach of the BDP grant program by engaging with local committees in additional neighborhoods in and around Basra city, as well as in other areas of the govemorate, leveraging CIES activities that are projected for implementation in Shatt Al-'Arab, Al­ Madina, and Abu Al-Khaseeb. CSP Basra will also coordinate closely with the British Military (J-9), in an effort to follow up J-9's plans for the renovation of the SafWan market area with BDP grants provided through CSP.

From February 10 to 22, several CSP BDP staff participated in training in Erbil with colleagues from Baghdad and other cities.

With regards to business skill training, plans to conduct training for 500 unemployed job-seekers through a local, nongovernmental training provider were reoriented at the end of the quarter to reflect a new Iraq-wide strategy that focuses on training for grant applicants and recipients. Recruitment of trainers for the revised business skills training program began at the end of the quarter.

b. Key Challenges

? Issue: Grant endorsement committees are producing mixed results, with some committees showing limited enthusiasm for, or effectiveness at publicizing the grants program. The program must increase the number of grants approved per month to meet annual targets.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 68 Solution: BDP grants program staff will establish additional committees in geographic areas where current committees have been shown to be ineffective. Staff will also increase direct outreach to populations of prospective grant applicants through regular and periodic information sessions coordinated with neighborhood and subdistrict councils, and will experiment with use of flyers, posters, and brochures, as well as newspaper advertising campaigns that encourage prospective applicants to contact local councils for more information about applying for grants.

~ Issue: A number of grant applicants have expressed difficulties in meeting the program's requirements for a minimum 25% applicant contribution.

Solution: BDP grants program staff will diversify the audience targeted for grants by encouraging more applications from existing business owners who may apply for grants to expand existing businesses. Such applicants should be better able to meet the requirements for applicant contributions, and should also yield larger grants.

c. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the BDP program will increase the volume of grants approved to at least 40 per month, and will also diversify the types of grants awarded. Although micro-grants will continue to constitute the majority of grants awarded in Basra, the program will begin approving grants in the small and medium categories, and will also seek to increase the number of grants approved for expansion of existing businesses. Staff will also improve the geographic reach of the program by increasing the number of neighborhoods and subdistricts in which the program is active.

Youth Activities

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the Youth Activities Program has carried out rehabilitation of the Abu Al­ Khaseeb Youth and Sport Center, and successfully implemented sports festivals for youth at both the Abu Al­ Khaseeb Youth and Sport Center and the Basra Youth and Sports Center. Both centers are affiliated with the Ministry of Youth and Sport. CSP Basra also began a month-long campaign of painting T-Walls, employing 23 painters to depict scenes and motifs from traditional Basra life.

b. Key Challenges

No particular key challenges were faced in youth program for this quarter.

c. Sector Outlook

At the end of the reporting period, CSP had approved proposals for the rehabilitation of the Al-Asma'ee and Al-Ma'qel Youth and Sport Centers, to be followed by sports festivals, and was in the process of completing tendering for an after-school First Aid Training Program. Staff were also in the process of developing projects for a province-wide football league competition and interventions to rehabilitate and repair youth centers that had sustained damage during the recent military operations in Basra.

Community StabilizaJion Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 69 L. North Babil

Administrative Overview

Since this was the first quarter of operations for CSP in North Babil much of this period was spent conducting area need assessments to prioritize CSP program interventions, hiring staff, renovating and furnishing the six offices and residence villas in the Hilla Red Zone, implementing measures to provide appropriate security for the Red Zone offices and relocating expat Program Director and Program Officer from Baghdad to Hilla.

CSP in Hilla hired 40 new staff during this quarter to the current level of 69 local National staff. In February, the North Babil CSP Program Director participated in a VIP site visit to the region with Brigadier General Cardon (ivfND-C), Admiral Dussault (MND-C), Chris Crowley (USAID Mission Director-Iraq), Jim Kunder (USAID Deputy Administrator-Washington DC), Jim Bever (USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia and Near East Bureau-Washington DC), Nick Marinacci (CSP CTO), Howard van Vranken (ePRT Team Leader, Kalsu) and Lewis Tatum (ePRT Deputy Team Leader, Kalsu). The purpose of the visit was to highlight the critical need for reconstruction and community infrastructure to rebuild this region that has been heavily devastated by Al Qaeda and insurgent activity the past year.

Community Infrastructure and Essential Services

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the CIES Program performed the following tasks:

1- Initial Needs assessment for the area of operation. This task was implemented through close collaboration with the local and district authorities, the US military and the PRTin Kalsu. The process was done through a series of meetings and site visits to each neighborhood together with district meetings with the relevant NACs and DACs and Government oflraq (GOI) departments as well as meeting with the US military who are involved in similar projects. Coordination also occurred with other USAID funded international organizations active in the region to ensure the exchange of information and cooperation and to prevent duplication of efforts, thus increasing the overall efficiency and impact of the work. These assessments resulted in CSP identifying specifically what the needs of the region are according the priority set by the local communities.

2- Project Identification: this task was also done through close cooperation with the local government authorities and communities, ensuring that the selected projects satisfy the CSP strategy of creating community stabilization through job creation while also meeting the need for essential services and infrastructure in communities in North Babil. More than 50 priorities were identified by the local Councils and community leadership as critical needs for the region, of which 11 projects were approved for CSP funding during this reporting period and three were being tendered by the end of March.

3- Project development and implementation: CIES ensured that the local community represented by the NACs, DACs, governors, tribal leaders and Sahwa leaders were involved directly in all phases of the project life cycle.

CIES is continuing its efforts to identify new projects that satisfy both the community needs and the CSP strategy.

Infrastructure projects represent the majority of the CIES projects in North Babil due to the huge need in the local communities for such projects resulting from either the lack or the devastation that occurred

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R ep ort: January - March 2008 70 within this sector through decades of neglect. The following, is what CIES identified during this reporting period, which will absorb almost the entire CIES budget for North Babil for the remainder of the year.

b. Key Challenges

~ Issue: The biggest challenge that CIES faced was the tense security situation in our area of operation. CIES had to access very dangerous areas such as Khider, Jurf Al Sakar and the lakes area in the north oflskandariya. These areas were recently freed from Al Qaeda occupation 2-3 months ago and remain somewhat tenuous with regard to the stability of the region.

Solution: CIES called upon the assistance of the local tribal and community leaders, as well as coordinating closely with Al Sahwa leaders (Sheiks coordinating the SOI security forces in their regions) to gain safe access to the areas of proposed CIES project operation. Additionally, through the help of the US ivlilitary in North Babil, the Iraqi police and Iraqi army have authorized a letter certifying safe passage of all CSP personnel throughout the area of CSP operations in North Babil.

~ Issue: Another significant challenge is the lack of adequate resources to respond to the needs of the large geographic region in province that contains 4 large cities each with populations over 200,000 residents and Hilla with a population of700,000 residents.

Solution: Prioritize resources according to most critical needs emerging from area assessment process.

~ Issue: North Babil has not received adequate funding over the past 4 years from the Government of Iraq through the Council in part due to sectarian and ethnic conflict within the region and the Sunni Shiite divide. As a result, there is an obvious lack ofinfrastructure and essential services being provided by the Government oflraq to these citizens.

Solution: Advocate for North Babil needs together with other USAID partners for most focused Council investment in this region. In addition, CSP can help by responding to the most critical needs for schools, water systems etc.

~ Issue: The nature of the Area of Operations in North Babil made it very difficult for CIES to find good local staff that are able to travel and access these areas.

Solution: CIES worked hard to recruit staff from the specific regions of North Babil where CSP is implementing projects and from neighboring areas that also have close ties to our region of operations.

~ Issue: Since CIES has to coordinate closely with the GOI, it is essential to obtain approval from all the government departments concerned, which is a very difficult and time consuming process.

Solution: CIES is working hard to coordinate with the local GOI departments to obtain the approvals as soon as possible.

c. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, the CIES component will implement the identified and approved projects to the best of it capabilities. It is expected that CIES in North Babil will bum 60% of its allocated budget by the end of the next quarter. CIES will also identify more projects in the event that further funding becomes available. CIES will increase its efforts to identify and recruit more staff that are qualified to follow up on the existing projects as well as those capable of developing new projects.

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R eport: January - March 2008 71 Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships

a. Achievements

During this first quarter of program activity the VoTech and Apprenticeship Program hired 14 local staff, placed its staff through an intensive one week training session, and initiated the MOLSA training program at the Iskandariya Vocational Training Center. This Center in Iskandariya was successfully renovated by the US Military in 2007 and was ready to conduct course instruction. Courses offered at the Iskandariya Vocational Training Center are in both construction and non-construction trades involving 439 trainees in seven different courses.

Once the Iskandariya Vocational Training Center was well established and courses were functioning effectively, the EGY team for North Babil began looking for other locations where MOLSA courses could be offered to unemployed youth in this large region. After many visits and discussions with the Dean and representatives of the Al Mussayib Technical Institute in Tunis, a Memorandum of Understanding was developed between Al Mussayib Technical Institute and CSP to also offer MOLSA courses at this Institute that will specifically target marketable skills for unemployed youth in this region, with a specific focus on the agricultural industry that was once vibrant in this region before the conflict of the past 5 years. The purpose of this MOU is to continue to develop and expand a framework of cooperation between IRD/CSP and the Technical Institute. MOLAS Courses offered at this Technical Institute will expand the current MOLSA VoTech offerings to include courses focused on Driving and Maintenance of Agricultural Machinery, as well as other much needed courses focused on the agriculture industry.

b. Linkages

At the end of the reporting period, EGY North Babil staff was working to find various different employment and apprenticeship linkages for the first group oflskandariya VoTech graduates who will be graduating at the end of April. The Apprenticeship team has prepared a database of all the industries, businesses and factories that can provide possible apprentice and job opportunities for our VTC graduates in North Babil. The Apprentice team has also coordinated their planned activities with the DACs, NACs and the Chamber of Commerce in North ofBabil.

Additionally, the EGY staff visited the Iraqi Federation oflndustries in Babil and the Babil Chamber of Commerce (BCC) in Hilla and North Babil. Most of the discussions pertained to working together with the BCC to find Apprenticeship opportunities or jobs for the youth who graduate from the VT courses in different specialties. These linkages have resulted in the preparation of a conference that will be held in mid April in Mussayib with business and factory owners in North Babil to help re-activate the role of the industries in North Babil that were once thriving and help connect the business owners with the VTC graduates from Iskandariya. It is expected that approximately 200-300 business owners will participate in this conference.

Additionally, the EGY and BDP teams plan to collaborate their activities in the upcoming quarter by inviting BDP Grants Officers to the Vocational Training Centers within the final week of student courses - to inform the students of the grants program and invite those who are interested to start their own home­ based small business (e.g. sewing or generator repair) to talk with the BDP Officers about their business plan and invite them to consider applying for a grant upon completion of their period of Apprenticeship.

c. Key Challenges

Issue: Iskandariya VTC representatives initially refused to submit any type ofreports to CSP or to let the EGY staff have access to view their trainee attendance lists in following up the effectiveness of the Vo Tech courses.

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 72 Solution: Several meetings and discussions were planned with the VTC Director and Management representatives oflskandariya VTC to solve the critical problems and resolve the initial misunderstanding about how to work together collaboratively for the benefit of the trainees.

d. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the Vo Tech and Apprenticeship Program and employment generation will begin offering agriculture focused Vocational Training courses at the Mussayib Technical Institute in Tunis with an expected trainee enrollment of approximately 500-600 within the next few months. Additionally, the Iskandariya Vocational Training courses are expected to have a daily average of 1200 trainees by June 2008 with graduates being placed in local businesses and factories that already have identified a commitment to hire these trainees post-graduation.

CSP I North Babil EGY team will expand the number of participants at the two main Vocational Training Centers (Iskandariya and Mussayib Technical) and substantially increase those linked to employment and apprenticeship in the first half of the next reporting period.

As mentioned above CSP Vo Tech in North Babil will expand the offering of courses to include 11 different kinds of specialty training courses in the next reporting period. In addition, EGY North Babil will focus specifically in the upcoming quarter on the successful placement ofVoTech Graduates into viable Apprenticeships post-graduation, while also identifying possible long term employment opportunities.

During the next quarter, CSP will provide 12 workshops at the Iskandariya VTC with all the materials, equipment and the raw materials that are needed for the initiation of the upcoming training workshops.

In response to the growing number of graduates, the apprenticeship and employment generation activities will continue its outreach program within the North Babil communities, to identify suitable businesses and employment contexts within which Vo Tech graduates can be placed for apprenticeship and long-term job opportunities.

Micro-Small-Medium Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training

a. Achievements

During this reporting period, the Business Development Program (BDP) has established the BDP program through the recruitment of well trained highly motivated staff and the implementation of the grants program in regions of North Babil. Public awareness and good dissemination of information regarding SME grants in the North Babil communities was achieved with the assistance of the North and Hilla Provincial and Local Council leaderships, as well as with the informal and formal business sectors in the regions of North Babil. BDP staff also met with the Sunni Endowment Directorate to gamer their support and that of the religious leaders of these communities for the CSP SME grant programs in majority Sunni regions of North Province.

During this quarter the BDP team distributed 400 project application forms for SME grants to communities in North Babil. The total number of SME grants that have been approved to date in this initial quarter of CSP activity in North Babil is 45, totalling $287,000. The BDP grant program in North Babil is focusing heavily on business support to the agricultural communities of this region, as well as to supporting grants to business owners in the cities oflskandariya, Mussayib, and Mahawil - the large cities of this region.

BDP has focused 54% of its grant investment this quarter into the support of micro and small business grants to farmers in the regions of North Babil that were most heavily affected by the presence of

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R eport: January - March 2008 73 insurgents in recent years. Several grants have been awarded to fish farmers (see photos below of BDP grantee after the community contribution offish was provided) in North Babil to help re-ignite this vital agricultural region - which, until 2003, was one of the most prolific producers of fresh fish for the Iraqi market. Additionally, many grants have been awarded this quarter to cattle, chicken and sheep farmers.

One of the important projects supported by an SME grant this quarter was for the establishment of a Sewing Factory in Iskandariya city. This new factory in Iskandariya will create 61 long term job (25 Male and 36 female) with direct beneficiaries numbering 305. This business owner has agreed to hire the best graduates of the Iskandariya Vocational Training Course in sewing into his factory as employees - thus integrating the EGY and BDP aspects of the CSP program in North Babil.

With regards to business skills training, no courses commenced for North Babil CSP within this reporting period, as the program's initial focus was on the development of awards to grantees that will be offered business skills training in subsequent quarters. The BDT priority for this quarter has been on hiring of staff and identifying local NGO partners who can conduct the training in the districts that CSP is working in.

The BDT team has visited many NGOs in the North Babil regions this quarter to select the best three NGO'S to work with for the Business Training of our grantees.

b. Sector Outlook

In the upcoming quarter, it is expected that the BDP Program will implement many SME projects and continue to award hundreds of new grantee applicants with funding to start new and expanded businesses in the regions of North Babil. CSP North Babil expects to continue to focus heavily in investment into the fish and agriculture farmers of North Babil.

Additionally, the BDT program will begin its operations in the upcoming quarter, focusing the CSP Business Training on both urban and rural business owners and tailoring the courses to the specific needs of the grantees to foster their business success.

Youth Activities

a. Achievements

During this reporting period the Youth Activities focused primarily on the preparation of the soccer championships in two large districts (Mahawil and Mussayib) in North Babil that will involve the participation of 2,440 youth and will be implemented in April and May.

The youth team also prepared proposals and materials for the T-Wall paintings in Hilla city center.

CSP North Babil Youth Program has also begun substantial preparations in collaboration with a local NGO in North Babil to implement a large Youth Festival next quarter.

In preparation for the various youth projects in North Babil, the youth team met with several of the Sports Committees from Mahawil, Iskandariya and Mussayib Councils. By establishing these relationships, EGY is now well positioned to quickly implement activities in the North Babil.

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R eport: January - March 2008 74 b. Key Challenges

~ Issue: There is a lack of non-sporting activities and general involvement in the youth activities by young women. Most programs, such as the soccer competition and VoTech Training Courses are suitable for men.

Solution: CSP expanded the number of projects that include women during this period and worked with the DAC and NAC in North Babil to create suitable programs that the women can actively participate in.

c. Sector Outlook

During the next quarter the Youth Team of CSP in North Babil will be working to implement the six youth projects that have been approved as well as increase the number ofyouth in the CSP activities in North Babil of in order to ensure a continuous engagement of youth in the areas of high insurgency. These activities will be longer in duration and wider in reach and will involve youth throughout Mahawil and Mussayib Districts. Activities that will be implemented for youth in the next quarter have been divided into three activity categories: athletics, arts, and life skills and cultural awareness.

Some activities for the next quarter include, but are not limited to the following: • Soccer tournaments in Mahawil and Mussayib • Training courses on computers, administration and finance • First-aid training courses • Announcement campaign regarding the Vocational Training Courses with MoLSA • T -Wall painting • Youth festival in North Babil

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 75 2. CSP OUTPUTS & TARGETS

A. Employment and Economic Development

CSP is projecting to achieve most of its targets by the end of Year Two. Although there are a number of areas where CSP achievements to date are below 40 percent, it is anticipated that with the opening of four new offices and the maturation of programs that the contributions from the 15 cities will continue to increase across the country. Each of the targets is discussed in more detail in the tables on the following pages.

Percentage of Achievement for CSP Outputs (Year 2)

7.1.1.1: Number of person months generated for short term employment

7.1.1.2: Number of long term jobs created

7.1.2.1: Number of participants completing vocational skills training

7.1.2.2: Number of apprentices placed

7.1.3.2: Number of businesses receivi ng assi stan ce

7.1.3 . 3 : Number of peopl e c omple ting bus iness skills training

7 .2 .1: Number of y out h partic ip at ing i n non-fo rmal e ducatio n pro gram s

7. 2 . 2 : Numb er o f a c tiv iti es c o mp lete d thro ug h integrat ed d eci s i o n m aking between l ocal g o v ernment and CSOs

7.3 .1: Number of public w ork s and infras tructure project s compl eted

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R ep ort: January - March 2008 76 i. Jobs Created a: Num her of person months generated for short-term employment. The figures below represent the number of person months of employment generated by short-term, labor intensive projects. A person month is defined as 20 full days of such labor.

YEAR 2 OUTPUTS YEAR 2 OUTPUTS vs. TARGETS PERSON MONTH PERSON MONTH PERSON MONTH TARGET PERCENTAGE ACHIEVED ACHIEVED ACIIlEVED (Year2) ACIIlEVEDOF CITY 01 (Oct-Dec 07) 02 (Jan-Mar 08) (Year 2) OVERALL TARGET Baghdad 51 254 14.232 65,486 75 000 87.3 percent Kirkuk 5,066 4,364 9,430 20,000 47.2 percent Mosul 6,674 26,888 33,562 60,000 55.9 percent AlAnbar 9,410 12,026 21,436 35,545 60.3 percent Baqoubah 2,255 0 2,255 6,000 37.6 percent Basra n/a 0 0 1,517 0 percent N. Babil n/a 0 0 2,250 0 percent TOTAL 74,659 57,510 131,546 200,312 65.7 oercent

As shown in the table above, CSP has currently achieved 65 percent of its overall target for short-term employment. We anticipate that this target will be fully achieved based upon the opening of new offices and the development of cleaning campaigns as a way to initially engage local government, build essential relationships, and foster trust within the community. As the focus for Baghdad shifts to longer-term jobs, this number is expected to change. This will be offset by the opening of new operations in Salahadin and southern Iraq, which will be generating short-term employment as one of the first short-term activities.

At the end oflast quarter (Quarter One), 27 CSP trash removal contracts employing 10,000 people were completed. At the end of this quarter, the majority of cleaning campaigns in Baghdad have been reduced to 50 percent employment levels. The effect of this transition can be seen in the drop of short-term employment person months from 74,659 to 57,510. Due to the reorganization of the Baqoubah office during January and February, no new short-term contracts were executed. Mosul has shown a fourfold increase in their short-term jobs; this increase is primarily due to their strong engagement with the Ministry of Education in the rehabilitation and renovation of schools and universities. b: Num her of long-term jobs created. The figures below represent the number oflong-term sustainable jobs created through CSP projects. Long-term employment agreements are defined as involving more than 60 days of planned labor.

YEAR 2 OUTPUTS YEAR 2 OUTPUTS vs TARGETS LONG-TERM LONG-TERM JOBS LONG-TERM TARGET JOBS CREATED CREATED JOBS (Year 2) PERCENTAGE Ql (Oct-Dec 07) Q2 (Jan-Mar 08) CREATED ACIIlEVEDOF CITY (Year2) OVERALL TARGET Baghdad 1,160 1,100 2,260 6,000 37. 7 percent Kirkuk 498 329 827 2,000 41.4 percent Mosul 114 258 372 1,350 27.6 percent Al Anbar 496 615 1, 111 3,000 37 .0 percent Baquobah 70 0 70 850 8.2 percent Basra 0 102 102 1,250 8.2 percent North Babil 0 68 68 1,000 6.8 percent TOTAL 2,338 2,472 4,810 15,450 31.1 oercent

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R ep ort: January - March 2008 77 As the table on the preceding page shows, in quarter two of this year CSP has seen a small but steady increase in the number oflong-termjobs developed. In order to increase the number oflong-termjobs, CSP is developing new strategies with the business development grants to ensure that each grant provided is linked to the employment of apprentices. The employment generation activities remained a challenge. Placement is much lower than where it should be, but with no monetary value, it is even more difficult to identify opportunities in this environment. One reason for this is that, culturally, Iraqis tend to employ family and people they know. The difficulty in placing VoTechh graduates and apprentices is further compounded by a challenging strategic security environment.

The graph below reflects the slow but steady increase described on the previous page, but in a cumulative context (Year 1 and Year 2).

Long-Term Job Creation (January-March, 2008)

20,000 18,000 16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 N

The pie chart below provides a breakout of the sectors creating long -term employment.

Long-Term Job Creation Breakout by Sector

9°k

•Grants DVTC Grads DPost Apprentices 22% •Business Skills Grads • Misc Bnploym e nt • esp Local Staff

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R eport: January - March 2008 78 ii: Employable Skills Improved

a: Num her of participants completing vocational skills training. The figures below represent the number of trainees who successfully completed a vocational skills training course.

YEAR 2 OUTPUTS YEAR 2 OUTPUTS vs.TARGETS

VTC VTC VTC GRADUATES TARGET PERCENTAGE GRADUATES GRADUATES (Year 2) (Year2) ACIIlEVED OF CITY Ql (Oct-Dec 07) Q2 (Jan-Mar 08) OVERALL TARGET Baghdad 3,816 3,028 6,844 15,000 45.6 percent Kirkuk 522 1, 163 1,685 2,500 67.4 percent Mosul 0 706 706 3,500 20.2 percent Al Anbar 166 189 355 2,300 15.4 percent Baquobah 0 0 0 800 0 percent Basra 0 0 0 1,262 0 percent North Babil 0 0 0 1,400 0 percent TOTAL 4,504 5,086 9,590 26,762 35.8 nercent

As can be seen in the table above, the number of Baghdad trainees in class has dropped. This is due to the lengthening this quarter of the majority of the courses. Many courses were extended from two months to four months. In the Al Anbar region, there has been a seven-fold increase in the number of graduates this quarter because of modifications made on the types of courses based on market demand. These changes included new courses in mobile phone repair and generator maintenance. It should be noted that Al Anbar has traditionally been lacking in VoTecs, which is a key reason why the number of graduates remains below 1,000. The latter issue is also important in Baquobah, and for this reason CSP is working with the Ministry of Education in the development of industrial schools. Basra and North Babil currently have 275 and 439 students currently enrolled respectively, and these numbers will be counted in the next quarter as these students graduate. Kirkuk has successfully doubled the number of its graduates by working with both the Ministry of Education and MoLSA to develop vocational programs as well as industrial school training.

h: Num her of apprentices placed. The figures below represent the number of individuals who are placed in a CSP-sponsored apprenticeship activity. Apprentices who have completed at least one week of their apprenticeship contract are included in these figures.

YEAR 2 OUTPUTS YEAR 2 OUTPUTS vs.TARGETS

PERCENTAGE APPRENTICES APPRENTICES APPRENTICES TARGET ACIIlEVED OF PLACED PLACED PLACED (Year 2) OVERALL CITY Ql (Oct-Dec 07) Q2 (Jan-Mar 08) (Year 2) TARGET Baghdad 12 191 203 1,500 13.5 percent Kirkuk 138 317 455 600 75.8 percent Mosul 0 129 129 475 27.2 percent Al Anbar 70 219 289 400 72.3 percent Baquobah 0 0 0 125 0 percent Basra 0 0 0 125 0 percent NorthBabil 0 0 0 125 0 percent TOTAL 220 856 1,076 3,350 32.1 percent

As the table above shows, the number of apprentices placed for Baghdad did not reach the anticipated quarterly targets due to increased enforcement of apprenticeship program requirements. One of the more difficult requirements for employers to meet has been the necessity of closely matching their available

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R ep ort: January - March 2008 79 apprenticeship positions with the VoTechh graduate's recently-acquired skills. Basra and North Babil will have apprentices once the current class graduates.

iii: Businesses Created And Expanded

a: Total value of financial support to businesses. The dollar figures below represent the total value of MSME grants provided or committed to local businesses for start-up or expansion. Note that at many of our project sites, the focus has been to expand the small and medium-term enterprises to increase the number of people that can start new businesses.

YEAR 2 OUTPUTS YEAR 2 OUTPUTS vs. TARGETS

FINANCIAL FINANCIAL FINANCIAL TARGET PERCENTAGE SUPPORT SUPPORT SUPPORT (Year 2) ACHIEVED OF CITY 01 (Oct-Dec 07) 02 (Jan-Mar 08) (Year2) OVERALL TARGET Baghdad $3,467,940 $2,119,509 $5,587,449 $15,000,000 37.2 percent Kirkuk $999,721 $1,102,870 $2,102,591 $4,000,000 52.5 percent Mosul $399,756 $1,033,056 $1,432,812 $3,300,000 47.7 percent Al Anbar $1,205,188 $2,214,480 $3,419,668 $10,000,000 34.2 percent Baquobah 0 $3,450 $3,450 $1,500,000 0.2 percent Basra 0 $85,733 $85,433 $1,500,000 5.7 percent NorthBabil 0 $287,743 $287,743 $1,500,000 19.1 percent TOTAL $6.072.605 $6 846 841 $12.919.446 $36.500.000 35.4 oercent

As can be seen in the table above, the number of grants decreased in the latter half of this quarter because grantees were unable to open or expand their businesses due to increased violence.

b: Num her of businesses receiving assistance. The figures below represent the number of businesses that CSP has been assisting through the provision of grants and training.

YEAR 2 OUTPUTS YEAR 2 OUTPUTS vs. TARGETS APPROVED APPROVED APPROVED TARGET GRANTS GRANTS GRANTS (Year 2) PERCENTAGE Ql (Oct-Dec 07) Q2 (Jan-Mar 08) (Year 2) ACHIEVED OF CITY OVERALL TARGET Baghdad 205 329 534 1,900 28.1 percent Kirkuk 142 238 380 500 76.0 percent Mosul 41 208 249 1,000 24.9 percent AlAnbar 202 616 818 1,400 58.4 percent Baquobah n/a 1 0 150 0 7 percent Basra n/a 34 34 310 11.0 percent North Babil n/a 45 45 275 16.4 percent TOTAL 590 1,471 2.061 5.535 37.2 oercent

As the table above shows, the number of grants in Mosul has increased fivefold due to improved relationships with local government officials (police, military, mayors, etc.). In Al Anbar, training received during this quarter by CSP employees in six of the govemorate's cities gave them valuable skills that better enabled them to implement the grants program. These staff members were able to immediately take these skills and go back to their areas of operation to identify grantees and walk them through the grants application process much more quickly, easily, and knowledgeably. In Baghdad, despite increasing violence in districts such as Sadr City, CSP was able to continue a strong grants program by refocusing its efforts in the Qadas and working in conjunction with INMA and PRT s to reopen commercial markets.

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R eport: January - March 2008 80 c: Num her of people completing business skills training. The figures below represent the number of attendees who successfully completed business skills training. Due to a reorganization of the business skills training following the suspension of the Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce "NAJAH" micro-grant program, CSP is negotiating with other providers as well as conducting in-house training courses.

YEAR 2 OUTPUTS YEAR 2 OUTPUTS vs.TARGETS BUSINESS BUSINESS PERCENTAGE SKILLS SKILLS BUSINESS SKILLS TARGET ACIIlEVED OF GRADUATES GRADUATES (Year 2) GRADUATES OVERALL Ql (Oct-Dec 07) Q2 (Jan-Mar 08) (Year 2) CITY TARGET Baghdad 537 0 537 2,000 26.9 percent Kirkuk 225 0 225 800 28.1 percent Mosul 190 1,630 1,820 2,750 66.2 percent Al Anbar 0 0 0 400 0 percent Baquobah n/a 0 0 150 0 percent Basra n/a 0 0 300 0 percent NorthBabil n/a 0 0 250 0 percent TOTAL 952 1,630 2,582 6,650 38.8 percent

B: Conflict Mitigated Through Increased Community Activities

i: Number of youth participating in non-formal education programs. The figures below represent the number of youth who have participated in CSP-sponsored non-formal education activities. Youth are defined as age 25 and under. Non-formal education activities focus on developing conflict mitigation and management skills. YEAR 2 OUTPUTS YEAR 2 OUTPUTS vs. TARGETS

YOUTH PERCENTAGE YOUTH YOUTH PARTICIPANTS TARGET ACIIlEVED OF PARTICIPANTS PARTICIPANTS (Year2) (Year2) OVERALL CITY Ql (Oct-Dec 07) Q2 (Jan-Mar 08) TARGET Baghdad 2,923 16,468 19,391 37,000 52.4 percent Kirkuk 4,732 240 4,972 15,000 33. 2 percent Mosul 2,521 15,325 17,846 30,000 59.5 percent Al Anbar 1,685 4,290 5,975 15,500 38.5 percent Baquobah 0 0 0 1,200 0 percent Basra 0 490 490 800 61.3 percent North Babil 0 0 0 1,800 0 percent TOTAL 11,861 36,813 48,674 101,300 48.0 percent

The increased youth participation in Baghdad shown in the table abov e is due to CSP rehabilitation and construction of several sports fields, plus CSP's org anization of a variety of different soccer tournaments, which engag ed nearly 10,000 Iraqi youth. In Mosul, nearly 800 youth participated in courses in computers and first-aid, h elping to boost this quarter's numbers for that region. Basra's initial numbers reflect a CSP­ sponsored sports festival and a T-wall p ainting project.

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R eport: January - March 2008 81 ii: Number of activities completed through integrated decision making between local government and civil society organizations. The figures below reflect the number of activities arranged by IRD-CSP that involve community level coordination and participation between local government and diverse groups that resulted in a USAID/PRT approved project in that community.

YEAR 2 OUTPUTS YEAR 2 OUTPUTS vs TARGETS

PERCENTAGE YOUTH YOUTH YOUTH TARGET ACIIlEVED OF ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES (Year2) OVERALL CITY Ql (Oct-Dec 07) Q2 (Jan-Mar 08) (Year 2) TARGET Baghdad 4 1 5 30 16. 7 percent Kirkuk 5 6 11 30 36. 7 percent Mosul 14 84 98 150 65.3 percent Al Anbar 10 9 19 40 47.5 percent Baquobah n/a 0 0 5 0 percent Basra n/a 1 1 10 10.0 percent NorthBabil n/a 0 0 5 0 percent TOTAL 33 101 134 270 49.6 nercent

C. Community Infrastructure Revitalized

i: Number of public works and infrastructure projects completed. The figures below reflect the number of completed public works or essential infrastructure projects.

YEAR 2 OUTPUTS YEAR 2 OUTPUTS vs TARGETS

PROJECTS PERCENTAGE PROJECTS PROJECTS COMPLETED TARGET ACIIlEVED OF COMPLETED COMPLETED (Year2) (Year2) OVERALL CITY Ql (Oct-Dec 07) Q2 (Jan-Mar 08) TARGET Baghdad 93 29 122 250 48 .8 percent Kirkuk 51 21 72 150 48.0 percent Mosul 38 93 131 250 52.4 percent Al Anbar 32 37 69 130 53.1 percent Baquobah 2 0 2 25 8.0 percent Basra n/a 0 0 50 0 percent North Babil n/a 0 0 50 0 percent TOTAL 216 180 396 905 43.8 nercent

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R ep ort: January - March 2008 82 The chart below illustrates the numbers shown on the previous page and breaks out both completed and planned public works and infrastructure projects. This chart reinforces CSP's shift from cleaning campaigns to other sectors such as water/sewage, education and health.

Completed & Planned Infrastructure/Essential Service Projects

•Planned !--~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-----< •Ongoing/Completed

II) c: ... II) II) ...: c: II) C) c: ... 0 ... 0 c "' 'iii II) ..c: c: C) :e> 0 C) 'iii "" i .E c. c: ~i E c: ;;:: ..c: 0 :J II) ... II) 0 c. II) :J .E II) 0 ct: E !I) i "C a.."" ...0 II) "" E II) ·c: II) 1::: w C) Qi 'iii > u II) u"" ::c <( ...II) a.. ct: 0 ~ Ui (!)

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R eport: January - March 2008 83 3. COMMUNITY STABILIZATION ONE-YEAR STUDY

Baghdad: Abu Ghraib Community Stabilization Survey One-Year Study

Executive Summary

Five interviewers and two supervisors worked with one regional coordinator on the survey in Abu Ghraib from the 26th to the 31st of March 2008. The Hay polled were Hay al Asrya, Hay al Khimabat, al Tame em, 30 Tamuz, al Isalh al Ziraee, al Shima, al Zaytoon, al Zeedan, Haktirya & Shaar, and Abumnisir. The sample size was 402 leading to a margin of error of+/- 5%.

This report is based on three polls, the first conducted in March 2007, the second in September 2007 and the third in March 2008.

In the period from March 2007 to September 2007 satisfaction with basic services rose in all areas an average 58.4%.

While from September 2007 to March 2008 average satisfaction fell a slight 1.23%. Respondents reported increased satisfaction in Security (up 20.93%) and Sewerage/drainage (0.48%). Decreased average satisfaction is reported in: Access to education (9.63%), Availability of electricity (8.96%), Trash collection (5.12%), Safe drinking water (4.06%), Health services (2.09%), Availability of water (1.41 %) and Debris removal (0.64%).

When asked in March 2008 if services in their neighborhood had gotten worse or improved over the past year 66.51 % reported they had improved, 24.41 % that they had worsened and 9.08% did not know or did not answer. Adjusting for do not know/no answer the 'improve' category rose 33.04% from September 2007.

When asked in March 2008 if they believed their services would improve in the next year 57.94% of participants reported that they believe services will improve, 26. 75% say they will get worse while 15.31 % do not know or do not answer. Adjusting for do not know/no answer the 'improve' category fell 15.45% from September 2007.

A plurality, 36.15%, ofresidents state that the Government oflraq has been the most responsible for improving their municipal services. This was followed by Local community leaders at 24.95%, and Humanitarian organizations at 14.37%.

21.38% ofrespondents feel there is a direct link between the provision of basic services and a reduction in violence, 16.1 % feel there is a strong link and 16.49% say there is some link. 8.27% state that there is no link.

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2 008 84 Baghdad: Karada Community Stabilization Survey One-Year Study

Executive Summary

Six interviewers, supervisors and one regional coordinator worked on the survey in Karada from the 1st through 1 the 4 h of April 2008. The Hay polled were Hay al Karada, Hay al Wahdah, Hay al Jamiaah, Hay al Riyadh, Hay Diyala, Hay Sindibad, Hay Zafaraniya and Hay Babil. The sample size was 400 leading to a margin of error of+/- 5%.

This report is based on three polls, the first conducted in March 2007, the second in September 2007 and the third in March 2008.

In the period from March 2007 to September 2007 satisfaction with basic services rose an average of 14.79%.

While from September 2007 to March 2008 average satisfaction fell 5.02%. Respondents reported increased satisfaction in Availability of electricity (up 29.31%) and Security (18.26%). While reporting decreased satisfaction in: Health services (down 24.31 %), Trash collection (17.11 %), Sewerage/drainage (14.12%), Availability of water (10.6%), Debris removal (9.29%), Access to education (9.17%) and Safe drinking water (8.13%),

When asked in March 2008 if services in their neighborhood had gotten worse or improved over the past year 56.85% report they have improved, 23.94% that they have worsened and 19.21 % did not know or did not answer. Adjusting for do not know/no answer the 'improve' category rose 95.73% from September 2007.

When asked in March 2008 if they believed their services would improve in the next year 62.76% of participants reported that they believe services will improve, 17.95% say they will get worse while 19.29% do not know or do not answer. Adjusting for do not know/no answer the 'improve' category rose 14.93% from September 2007.

A majority, 61.37%, ofresidents state that the Government oflraq has been the most responsible for improving their municipal services. This was followed by Humanitarian organizations at 13.21 % and then Local leaders at 12.78%.

36.51 % ofrespondents feel there is a direct link between the provision of basic services and a reduction in violence, 24.27% feel there is a strong link and 10.85% say there is some link. 12.35% state that there is no link.

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R eport: January - March 2008 85 Al Anbar: Fallujah Community Stabilization Survey One-Year Study

Executive Summary

Seven interviewers and supervisors worked with one regional coordinator on the survey in Fallujah from the 1 27th to the 30 h of March 2008. The Hay polled were al Askary, Hay al Jolan, al Shurta, Hay al Andalus, Jibel, Hay Nizal, al Shuhada, al Halabisa, al Zwaya, al Buessa. The sample size was 400 leading to a margin of error of+/- 5%.

This report is based on three polls, the first conducted in March 2007, the second in September 2007 and the third in March 2008.

In the period from March 2007 to September 2007 satisfaction with basic services fell on average 6.41 %.

While from September 2007 to March 2008 average satisfaction rose 11.42%. Respondents reported increased satisfaction in: health services (up 34.99%), security (33.97%), access to education (30.91 %), availability of water (20.92%), sewerage/drainage (16.7%), trash collection (15.08%) and debris removal (2.7%). Participants reported decreased satisfaction with: availability of electricity (down 46.51 %) safe drinking water (5.97%),

When asked in March 2008 if services in their neighborhood had gotten worse or improved over the past year 36.63% reported they had improved, 46.14% that they had worsened and 17.23% did not know or did not answer. Adjusting for do not know/no answer the 'improve' category rose 13.64% from September 2007.

When asked in March 2008 if they believed their services would improve in the next year 10.31% of participants reported that they believe services will improve, 38% say they will get worse while 51.69% do not know or do not answer. Adjusting for do not know/no answer the 'improve' category fell 62.39% from September 2007.

A majority, 55.52%, ofresidents state that the Government oflraq has been the most responsible for improving their municipal services. This was followed by Humanitarian organizations at 25.32%.

26.67% ofrespondents feel there is a direct link between the provision of basic services and a reduction in violence, 19.9% feel there is a strong link and 24.29% say there is some link. Only 0.64% state that there is no link.

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R eport: January - March 2008 86 Tameem: Kirkuk Community Stabilization Survey One-Year Study

Executive Summary

Thirteen interviewers and supervisors worked with one regional coordinator on the survey in Kirkuk from the 20th through the 25th of March 2008. The Hay polled were Hay al Wasity al Ulah, Hay al Wasity al Thaniya, Hay al Ta'meem, Hay Andalus, Hay al Khasa, Hay al Hilwah, Qaryat Um al Edham, Qaryat Namesa, Qaryat al Nafela, Qaryat al Salhya, Qaryat al Basheer, Qaryat Hameera al Saghra, Atshana al Sufla and Hay Mansour. The sample size was 409 leading to a margin of error of+/- 5%.

This report is based on three polls, the first conducted in March 2007, the second in September 2007 and the third in March 2008.

In the period from March 2007 to September 2007 satisfaction with basic services fell a slight 0.17%. While from September 2007 to March 2008 average satisfaction rose 21.48%. Respondents reported increased satisfaction in: Security (up 91.53%), Trash collection (30.54%), Availability of electricity (25.05%), Sewerage/drainage (17.6%), Debris removal (14.70%), Health services (11.39%), %), Access to education (3.12%) and Safe drinking water (2.71 %). Satisfaction with the Availability of water (down 3.3%) was the only drop.

When asked in March 2008 if services in their neighborhood had gotten worse or improved over the past year 31.88% reported they had improved, 27.29% that they had worsened and 40.83% did not know or did not answer. Adjusting for do not know/no answer the 'improve' category rose 73.72% from September 2007.

When asked in March 2008 if they believed their services would improve in the next year 50.21 % of participants reported that they believe services will improve, 16.7% say they will get worse while 33.10% do not know or do not answer. Adjusting for do not know/no answer the 'improve' category jumped 242.83% from September 2007.

Most respondents, 66.09%, are unsure or do not answer which organization is the most responsible for improvements in their municipal services. This was followed by the Government oflraq at 14.57% and Humanitarian organizations at 7.6%.

20.02% ofrespondents feel there is a direct link between the provision of basic services and a reduction in violence, 17.14% feel there is a strong link and 16.56% say there is some link. Only 0.37% respond that there is no link. However, a large plurality ofrespondents, 40.83%, do not know or do not answer.

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R eport: January - March 2008 87 Ninewa: Mosul Community Stabilization Survey One-Year Study

Executive Summary

Five interviewers, supervisors and one regional coordinator worked on the survey in Mosul from the 21st through the 24th of March 2008. The Hay polled were Hay al Tanak, Raas al Jadda, Hay al Farouq, Hay Falisteen and Hay Tamuz. The sample size was 387 leading to a margin of error of+/- 5%.

This report is based on three polls, the first conducted in March 2007, the second in September 2007 and the third in March 2008.

In the period from March 2007 to September 2007 average satisfaction with basic services rose 35.62%.

From September 2007 to March 2008 average satisfaction rose 10.97%. Respondents reported increased satisfaction in: Access to education ( 41.67 % ), Security (34. 81 %), Trash collection (8.67%), Availability of water (6.95%), Debris removal (5.25%), Sewerage/drainage (5.08%), Health services (3.93%), and Safe drinking water (1.39%). Satisfaction fell in regards to Availability of electricity (down 9.03%).

When asked in March 2008 if services in their neighborhood had gotten worse or improved over the past year 59.72% reported they had improved, 29.55% that they had worsened and 10.72% did not know or did not answer. Adjusting for do not know/no answer the 'improve' category rose 1.33% from September 2007.

When asked in March 2008 if they believed their services would improve in the next year 50.74% of participants reported that they believe services will improve, 18.32% say they will get worse while 30.94% do not know or do not answer. Adjusting for do not know/no answer the 'improve' category jumped 98.14% from September 2007.

A majority, 60. 79%, ofresidents state that the Government oflraq has been the most responsible for improving their municipal services. This was followed by Local community leaders at 12.95%.

Only 12.85% ofrespondents feel there is a direct link between the provision of basic services and a reduction in violence, 18.74% feel there is a strong link and 34.07% say there is some link. 4.65% state that there is no link.

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 88 Ninewa: Tai Afar Community Stabilization Survey One-Year Study

Executive Summary

Nine interviewers, supervisors and one regional coordinator worked on the survey in Tal Afar from the 21st through the 23rd of March 2008. The Hay polled were Hay al Qadisiyah, Hay al Sad and Hay al Salam. The sample size was 405 leading to a margin of error of+/- 5%.

This report is based on three polls, the first conducted in March 2007, the second in September 2007 and the third in March 2008.

In the period from March 2007 to September 2007 satisfaction with basic services rose 49.59%.

From September 2007 to March 2008 average satisfaction rose 18.97%. Respondents reported increased satisfaction in: Security (125.23%), Access to education (47.94%) Availability of electricity (39.54%), Safe drinking water (10.95%), Trash collection (6.57%), Debris removal (5.38%) and Health services (2.74%). Participants reported a fall in satisfaction for: Availability of water (down 34.83%) and Sewerage/drainage (32.83%).

When asked in March 2008 if services in their neighborhood had gotten worse or improved over the past year 61.28% reported they had improved, 30.21 % that they had worsened and 8.51 % did not know or did not answer. Adjusting for do not know/no answer the 'improve' category fell 22.38% from September 2007.

When asked in March 2008 if they believed their services would improve in the next year 55.96% of participants reported that they believe services will improve, 32.53% say they will get worse while 11.52% do not know or do not answer. Adjusting for do not know/no answer the 'improve' category rose 596.21 % from September 2007.

39.19%, of residents state that the Government oflraq has been the most responsible for improving their municipal services, followed closely by Local community leaders at 35.46.

Only 11.74% ofrespondents feel there is a direct link between the provision of basic services and a reduction in violence; 15.22% feel there is a strong link and the largest number ofrespondents, 29.44%, say there is some link. 10.85% state that there is no link.

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R ep ort: January - March 2008 89 4. CSP PROGRAl\'I HIGHLIGHTS

"What wasjust a dream yesterday, t,oday is real. Within the big ruins and deep darkness caused by war, the re was a small light from which a little brightness was emitting. It began ?rowing up and glaring to cover the city with brightness. !RD deserves this credit. It became involved with neighborhood youth. They worhad t,ogether and lified the ruins ofdestruction and replaced it with flowers. The death and desperation smell vanished, and hope was raised again. "

"In the other neighborhoods, fear and terror dominat,ed the youths; they could not do any kind of activities, their capabilities were suppressed. Weariness invaded their souls. A big sorrow was jailed in their chests, and tears were in their eyes. They were close t,o joining the insurgency just t,o prove that they were able to do something else. But !RD was available for them It rushed t,o build a playground and supported them with necessary things. The youths' interests changed, and the neighborhood now has a soccer t,eam supported by its residents. The traces ofdestruction have begun disappearing, and hope has again begun emitting."

•. The above st

Atwe & Below: Baghdad youth celebrate the opening cf a new soccer league in Karkh ctJrif(J opening ceremonies on March f'. CSP supplied soccer ecµipment, uniforms, medals and trophies to the league's 900-pPJs pla;ers and staff.

Community Stabilization Pro?Jam {CSP) Quarterly Report: Januaty- lvfarch 2008 90 A. Community Infrastructure and Essential Services

Project Title: Road Median Rehabilitation of Fahrni Al Mudaris Street Sector: Community Infrastructure Program Operations Officer: James Stephenson Location: Baghdad Project Number: CSP-BG-CIES-05375 Start Date: 7 Aug 07 Completion Date: 17 Jan 08 Avg. # of Short-Term Laborers: 103

Fahrni Al Mudaris is one of the main commercial streets that separates mahallas 315 and 319 in the Baidhaa neighborhood of Baghdad's Adhamiya District. The median for this street, which stretches for some 3,200 meters through local businesses, was in poor condition due to years of neglect, lack of regular maintenance, and a shortage of funds with which to make necessary repairs. Over time, the street curb had begun to crumble, and the median had become strewn with rubble and refuse and was frequently used as a location to burn trash.

In close coordination with Adhamiya DAC and Baidhaa NAC, CSP initiated a proposal to rehabilitate the Fahrni Al Mudaris street median and restore it to a more functional condition. The project included providing a new curb edging for the median, constructing adjacent sidewalks, planting trees and flowers in the median center and enclosing planted areas with protective fencing.

An additional benefit of this project was that it visibly demonstrated to Adhamiya residents that their local government is responsive and capable of infrastructure rehabilitation. This in turn helps strengthen the relationship between local government and community residents, a key step in fosterin g stabilization withi n communities.

Project Title: Rehabilitati on of Fallujah Teachers Institute Sector: Community Infrastructure Location: Fallujah, Al Anbar Project Number: CSP-FJ-CIES-00049 Program Operations Officer: Steve Thompson Start Date: 30 Mar 08 Projected Completion Date: 31 May 08 Avg.# of Short-Term Laborers: 40 currently (75 planned)

Rehabilitati on of the Fallujah Teachers Institute in the Mualameen neighborhood of Fallujah was identified by the city council as a pri ority. The school was built in 1941 and needed major repa irs. Due to th e severe lack of resources, the Saqlawiyah Local Council approached CSP with a request for assistance.

Upon exami nation, it was discovered that th e building had been poorly maintained and require d both extensive rehabilitation and expansion. In addition, it had been damaged by military operations, receiving fire from roc ket-pro pelled gre nades, 20mm cannon rounds, shrapnel, and small arms. Unfortunately, since it was the only such institute in the city, its 1,070 students and 26 teachers had no choice but to utilize the cramped, dilapidated structure.

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R eport: January - March 2008 91 Rehabil itation of the institute included repairing the electrical, water, and sewage systems: repairing broken windows and installi ng window screens: renovati ng bathrooms: replacing classroom doors: expanding learning halls: painting the building's interior and exterior: level ing school grounds and covering them with sand to provide suitable playgrounds: installing walkvvays: rebuilding the perimeter wall: repairing 150 school desks: furnishing the school' s administrative department: and providing sporting equipment

The project was announced through sign age at the entrance and through the Voice of Al Anbar radio station as brought to the city of Falluj ah by the city council. The project cu rrently employs approximately 40 skilled an d unskil led laborers.

Project Title: Haditha Industrial School Rehabil itation Sector: Community Infrastructure Location: Haditha, Al Anb~ Project Number: CSP-HD- O ES-0000<'.I Program Operations Officer: Zarko Draganic Start Date: 23 Mar 08 Projected Completion Date: 23 Jun 08 Project Cost: $409, 668 Avg. fl of Short-Term Laborers: 100

The project. located in the Al-Yarmouk ci strict of Haditha. consists of reh abilitation of the Industrial school and building of a new small section of the polytechnic department f or women. Work includes classroom renovation as well as rehabilitation

The school needed renovation because to date. the MoE and local Al-Anbar government in Ramadi did not have an adequate budget for proper maintenance and reconstruction. The school, established in 1984 , was on ce a highly-valued educEtional institution in the Hadith a Triad. However, due to lack of funding, the school fell into disrepair. In addition. the female section of the school had to be temporarily placed in a primary school located in the neighborhood

The project scope of work includes removing rubble and debris from the site: repairing the school's foundation: re-plastering the school walls: repairing the roof: installing new doors, windO>Ns, lighting fixtures. electrical accessories. and floor tiles: constructing new sewage pipe networks: and install ing a new septi c tank and water storage tanks.

The project ut il izes local contractors and provides short-term employment for 100 day laborers. equipment operators, and supervisors. Upon completion of the work, the school will be full y functional for 70 teachers, administrative and other workers as well as 725 students (525 male / 150 female) that will benefit from having improved working and learning conditi ons.

Community stabilization Program {CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 92 Project Title: Al Qa im Region Fuel Station Repair Sector: Community lnfrastru ctu re Location: Al Q aim, .AJ Anb ar Program Operations Officer: Ro be rt Ba ssa k Project Number: CSP-AQ-C IES-00027 Start Date: 5 Feb 08 Completion Date: Apr 08 Approximate Cost: $95 ,ODO Avg. II of Short-Term Laborers: 30

The Al Q aim Regional Fu el Storage R enov at ion Project p erfo rme d by CSP has allowed for addition al storage of petroleum products in the Al Qaim region. Th is is important be ca use fuel is shipped to Al Qa im in bulk and must be stored since delivery is not dependable due to distance, road conditions and secur~y.

Prior to the fuel station's repair by CSP, there was little storage capacity, and the community often ran out of legitimate fuel. Th is caused community members to turn to the "black market" for fue I, which ca me from Syria. It is gen era lly acknowledged that some of the profits from the black market fuel sales we re being used to destabilize Al Qa im. In addition, the black market fue I was also more exp ens iv e th an the Iraq fuel.

Due to renovation of the fue I storage station, the Al Qa im co mmun ~y now benefits from cheap er fue I, mo re de pe nda ble fuel availability and the peace of mind th at co mes with knowing th at the fuel sale profits are not fun ding efforts to further destabilize Al Qaim.

The Al Q aim fuel station ceased operation in 2003 due to age, lack of maintenance and up grades, and ext en siv e damage from a rocket th at hit the concrete structure supporting the tan ks. The rocket ca used the tan ks to fa II to a 45-de gre e angle and also damaged tank piping and wiring.

Lo cal government officia Is in Al Q aim had be en requesting resources from the Al Anba r province for repair but were not ab le to secure these funds. In addition, Al Qa im had neither an operating or capita I imp rov em ents bud get. As a resu It of community prioritization meetings, Al Qaim government officials requested CSP assistance in repairing the fuel facility.

Repairs included removing the damaged tanks; repair, cleaning, testing and coating the existing fuel storage tan ks; rep lacing the tanks' sup port structure; rep lacing piping and wiring; ren ovating the fuel facility co ntro I building; and improving site security by installing a perimeter wall and gates.

Community Stabilization Pro?J'am {CSP) Quarterly RBport: January- March 2008 93 Project Title: Haditha Market Street Rehabilitation Sector: Community Infrastructure Location: Haditha, Al Anbar Project Number: CSP-HD-CI ES-00002 Program Operations Officer: Zarko Draganic Start Date: 23 Mar 08 Projected Completion Date: 1 Jun 08 Project Cost: $481 ,050 Avg. #ofShort-Term Laborers: 100

The aim of the Haditha Market Street project is clean-up and rehabilitation of the neighborhoods of Al-Rafaie and Al­ Qamaqamiya. This will enable 140 shop owners and members of their families to benefit from having improved business conditions and therefore increased income. The communities of Haditha (about 45,000 citizens) will also benefit from improved commercial and hygienic conditions within the main trade area. Coalition Forces support this project as there will be fewer locations for improvised explosive devices to be concealed. This project, will directly benefit 100 unemployed and unskilled laborers and their families. In addition,

The project consists of street repairs, improvement of existing walking areas, drainage system renovation, parking lot renovations, street lighting renovations, and beautification of the shops in the market street. 140 shops will have painted fa9ades and adequate sheds installed. Work also includes removal of all trash, debris, surplus construction materials, stagnant water, mud and waste materials from the site to an area assigned by Municipality, as well as repairing the holes in the asphalt from previous excavations, repavi ng the street, casting concrete for the rainwater discharge channel that edges the road, installation of new median curbstone, and adding two new parking lots.

Project Title: Construction of Baladiyat Public Garden Project Number: CSP-BG-01615 Project Cost: $218,870 Sector: Community Infrastructure Location: 9 Nissan, Baghdad Program Operations Officer: Brian Grady Start Date: 14 Nov 07 Completion Date: 18 Jan 08 Avg. #of Short Term Laborers: 78

Initially, the densely-populated Baghdad neighborhood of Baladiyat in the 9 Nissan district did not have a park for area families, no place to gather and exchange news or watch their children play. What there was, however, was a large empty lot that was being used as a dumping ground for trash and debris. CSP and local officials determined that it would be the perfect spot for a public garden, and upon project commencement, this underutilized lot underwent a dramatic transformation: Large amounts of refuse was removed and top soil replaced so that grass, flowers and shrubbery could be planted. To ensure the greenery would thrive and remain attractive, a system for watering the plants was installed and a grass cutter was provided. Walkways, sitting areas, a water fountain, and playground equipment were added next. As a final touch, a sturdy metal fence was installed around the park, both attractively outlining its perimeter and acting as a safety measure for smaller children.

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January -March 2008 94 This project not only helped to beautify a once-unattractive lot, but also provided local families with a healthy, clean, safe environment to interact socially. Neighbors who would normally never meet now have a place to gather and establish relationships, strengthening bonds between community members. Creating functional, attractive public gathering spots is an important part of fostering community stability. It signals to residents that a return to normalcy has begun and helps to improve moral, enabling community members to once again take pride in their neighborhoods.

Project Title: Rehabilitation of Al-A'taar Garden 1 Sector: Community Infrastructure Project Number: CSP-BG-CIES-02519 Program Operations Officer: Brian Grady Location: Karrada, Baghdad Start Date: 17 Dec 07 Completion Date: 24 Apr 08 Project Cost: $38,579 Short-Term Jobs Created: 20

Prior to rehabilitation, the Al-A'taar public garden was deserted and had become a dumping ground for trash, old cars and other abandoned items.

Rehabilitation consisted of transforming this 900-1,000 square meter area into a healthy and safe place where local families could gather with their children, relatives and neighbors. The project is expected to have positive social impact by providing an area for families to gather and engage in activities that strengthen community bonds both within and between families, giving them a suitable space to spend evenings and weekends with their children, and all within walking distance of their residences.

Rehabilitation of the public garden included clearing the park of trash and other refuse; planting with flowers and grass; installation of a fence and gate; installation of a large fountain; improvement of walkways; and installing outdoor lights and trash bins.

The project improved the appearance and appeal of the neighborhood by transforming an eyesore into an attractive location for local residents to gather or host social activities. During the renovation process, the project provided short-term jobs to local residents, as well as created three long-term jobs (a gardener, a day guard and a night guard). Renovation of the public garden will enhance the area's appeal, which could indirectly improve commerce for nearby markets and shops.

The project has the potential to positively impact nearly 6,000 local residents.

In describing the project, an Iraqi CSP QA/QC Officer said, "A few days ago at evening time, I visited the Attar Public Garden together with my family, and I was glad to see some families from the same neighborhood spending a nice time in the garden. They seemed very happy to have such a nice place for which they had strongly hoped. The fruit of the efforts made by all of the IRD staff who participated in the project was evident in the fabulous success achieved."

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January-March 2008 95 Project Title: Ren ovation of the .AJ Shaima'a Intermediate School Sector: Community I nfrastru ctu re Program Operations Officer: Iain Find lay Location: Mosul Project Number: IR D!MO-C IES-0276 Start Date: 6 Jan 08 Completion Date: 10 Mar 08 Cumulative Number of Workers: 110 Project Cost: $113 ,930 Community Contribution: $23 ,800 Long-Term Jobs Created: 4

As one of the o Ide st schools in the city, the Al Shaima'a Intermediate School for Girls was in dire need of rehabilitation in order to provide a pro du ct iv e learning environ men! for the community's youth. The school had suffered from yea rs of neglect, with neither the funding nor the manpower to make necessary rep airs.

CSP worked ha rd to make the school both mo re h ab ita ble and mo re fu nctio na I for its stud en ts, to include replace men! of damaged doors and broken windows, repla ste ring walls with crumbling exteriors, addressing electrical issues, installing ceiling fans, painting the building exterior, and constructing a bathroom for the guard. This project, which lasted 42 days, also created short-term employment for 110 loca I workers cumulatively, providing them with an immediate source of in co me and he Ip ing to pump dollars back into the local community. In total, the project generated work for 2,440 person days or 122 person months. The project also ere ated long-term jobs for two men and two women at the sch oo I.

When describing the Al Shaima'a Intermediate School for Girls before CSP renovations, one Iraqi CSP staff member said, "The building was old and was missing a lot in order for it to be able to be utilized, which had a great impact on students attending it. During the 42 days of the project duration, dramatic changes took place in the school. H av in g the school rehabilitated and renovated is a further motivation for the girls to study and be more active. Now it is a nice, fu II, qualified place to re ce iv e young education seekers who will he Ip Iraq get back on track."

Project Title: Rehabilitation of Water Tower, Reservoir Sector: Community I nfrastru ctu re Program Operations Officer: Steve Thompson Location: Fallujah, Al Anbar Project Number: CSP-F J-CI ES-00051 Start Date: 30 Mar 08 Projected Completion Date: 5 Jun 08 Project Cost: $263,200 Avg. II of Short-Term Laborers: 50 planned

The Mua lame en district waler tower and Signage on the reservoir, built in the early 1980s, was the so le ~vaterto1Yer source of waler for many n eig hbo rh ood s in the showing C.iy .,.,...J.o -- northern part of Fallujah and was vitally Council approval ~.l.Jr~~~~0;.ii.c.(,;,; of the p10ject important to the district. Unfortunately, the J~-l .~ ...... J reservoir had received little to no m ainten an ce or

Community Stabilization Pro?J'am {CSP) Quarterly RBport: January- March 2008 96 repairs for the last 20 years due to a severe lack of resources and had been dam aged during fighting that had taken place in the a re a. With no funds for ~s rep air, the Fa lluja h City Council and the Directorate of Water and Sewage Offices turned to CSP for assista nee.

Upon examination, CSP staff discovered that the reserve ir was in need of major rehabilitation. Lea ks in the reservoir's structure were allowing dust to get into the water, contaminating it. Reservoir water was also being polluted by the tar-like su bsta nee that had bu ill up on its inner walls due to years of ne glee!, posing a health risk for area residents who used the water.

Rehabilitation of the reservoir directly benefits a pp ro xi mate ly 3 ,ODO families, providing th em a reliable source of safe, potable waler and prev en ting the possible collapse of the reserve ir and tower in the future. The project also prov id es an immediate source of income for approximately 50 ski lied and unskilled laborers and equipment operators.

Work includes removal of the tar-like contamination within the reservoir, repairing or replacing leaking un de rgrou nd pipes, rep lacing broken waler lines, installing new va Iv es, painting the outside of the reservoir with radlet (edoxidizer) to prevent rust and corrosion and then adding three layers of oil paint, repainting the reservoir's inner walls, and general site preparation such as backfilling, granular soil compression, and eventually concrete.

The project was recently v is~e d by the Mayor of F alluja h aIon g with several members of the City Council. The Mayor's visit was a crucial turning point, as he had previously held a negative opinion of CSP. The Ma yo r has since visited many other CSP projects and is now keenly interested in other ongoing and proposed infrastructure projects. Collaborating with local officia Is such as the Mayor and the City Council has enabled the reservoir project to progress smoothly, and the project is considered to be a huge success by both CSP staff and a re a residents. 0 nee thought irreparable, the reserve ir has now become a visual source of civic pride as its completion nears.

Project Title: Had it ha Clean Up Campaign Sector: Community lnfrastru ctu re Location: Ha ditha, Al An bar Project Number: CSP-H D-C IES-00001 Program Operations Officer: Zarko Drag anic Start Date: 18 Mar 08 Completion Date: 10 Apr 08 Project Cost: $100 ,500 Avg. II of Short-Term Laborers: 269

The communities of Haditha (about 45,000 citizens) will directly benefit from improved commercial and hygienic conditions due to this cleaning campaign. Coalition Forces support this project as well, since cleaner sire els me ans fewer lo cations for improvised explosive devices to be con ce ale d. Two h un dre d sixty-nine short-term jobs will be also created for unemployed, unskilled Iraqi la borers, he Ip ing to provide an immediate source of income for them and their families.

Th is project is significant in that it is a way for CSP to establish relationships with local officia Is and community members in the Ha ditha a re a. The Ha ditha office is newly-established, and it will take time to gain the trust of the community and create vital relationships with the lo ca I government and various other organizations that will enable larger, long er-term CSP projects to take place.

As Had ith a locals be co me more familiar with the CSP pro gram th rough projects such as th is recent clean up campaign, ~ will pave the way for projects with a larger p otentia I impact to take place, such as community infrastructure and essential services projects or vo catio na I Ira inin g and apprentice ship ro rams.

Community Stabilization Pro?J'am {CSP) Quarterly RBport: January- March 2008 97 B. Vocational Skills Training and Apprenticeships

Project Title: Welding Training Course Sector: Vocational Training Program Operations Officer: Steven Thompson Location: Fallujah, Al Anbar Project Number: CSP-FJ-EGY-00030 Course Start Date: Mar 08 Projected Course Completion Date: Jul 08 Number of Participants: 36 males

This is a four-month non-construction vocational training course in welding. This training gives young Iraqi males much-needed job skills and helps to successfully prepare them for the Iraqi job market. Classes are held in halls that CSP rents locally, which has the additional economic benefit of pumping dollars back into the surrounding community. A current course participant, Ahmed (19), said, "I often wished to have welding skills and asked many workshop owners in Fallujah to work with them, but they refused. Some replied that they only wanted a skillful guy. others replied that they only wanted to give jobs to their sons and relatives according to their family traditions. The welding training program was a great chance for me, and I will not forget MoLSA and IRD's favor. I am now happy with my 36 colleagues in this program, and we are insistent to pass the program successfully."

Project Title: Carpentry Training Course Sector: Vocational Training Program Operations Officer: Steven Thompson Location: Fallujah, Al Anbar Project Number: CSP-FJ-EGY-00020 Course Start Date: Feb 08 Projected Course Completion Date: Jun 08 Number of Participants: 40 males

This is a four-month non-construction vocational training course in carpentry. This training gives young Iraqi males much-needed job skills and helps to successfully prepare them for th e Iraqi job market. Classes are held in halls that CSP rents locally, which has the additi onal economic benefit of pumping dollars back into the surrounding community.

A current course participant, Majid (17), said, "My father was killed during a military operation and I found myself with two little sisters and an unemployed mother without any income. I left school looking for any job on which I and my family may depend in this life but in vain. I had no skill to enable me to get a job. It was too difficult a situation, and there was no way before me but join the bad guys who were able to provide money in return for bad evil actions. At this point I was about to fall in their domination, but th en I met a friend to tell me that MoLSA will open a free training program in carpentry and that we will have all support. It was a savior thing at the last moment. Then I joined the training program without any hesitation. Oh, one imminent day I will have a skill .... and a job ... and who knows, I may have my own workshop. I will also help to engage my colleagues in the carpentry training program."

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R ep ort: January - M arch 2008 98 Project Title: Iraqi Independent Women's Association Center Sector: Vocational Training Program Operations Officer: Michael Stanislowsky Location: Ramadi, Al Anbar Project Number: CSP-RA-EGY-0017 Course Start Date: 9 Mar 08 Projected Course Completion Date: 9 May 08 Number of Participants: 140 females

After supporting the rehabilitation and equipping of the Iraqi Independent Women's Association Center (llWAC), CSP began supporting the operations of the center through employing 20 women to manage the center and supervise training projects implemented by CSP.

With CSP support, two training courses began during the quarter; sewing and design and basic computer skills training. The fully equipped center has a 20-person computer lab and enough sewing equipment for 40 women. The 60-day courses run multiple times a day, with more than 140 participants expected to graduate in May. Of these, 80 participants are in the sewing and design course (two shifts), and 60 participants are in the computer training (three shifts).

Additional courses (English language, Arabic literacy, cooking, hairdressing and cosmetics, decorative design, and business skills) are expected to be implemented during the next quarter. When fully operational, the llWAC intends to train approximately 400 women over a training period.

Course participants are local unemployed women who lack job skills. Both courses address the needs to support women in obtaining socially acceptable means of employment and to encourage women's involvement in the local economy. Upon completion of the training courses, the worn en will receive graduation certificates and further assistance to identify employment or to receive a micro, medium, small enterprise grant that will enable them to start their own business and contribute to their family's income.

The training courses have been met with much enthusiasm as they afford the women of Ramadi an opportunity to learn, practice, and succeed in their fields of interest. Mrs. Halima, senior manager of llWAC stated, "Ramadi women for many years were not able to go outside their homes, and now they can visit our center and learn in a safe environment." Both courses were filled quickly and are often attended by additional worn en as onlookers. CSP intends to follow up the success of these two training courses with a second phase targeting an additional 140 worn en.

Project Title: Widows Vocational Training in Ur Popular Centre in Adhamiya District Sector: Vocational Training Program Operations Officer: DJ Herrera Location: Baghdad Project Number: BG-EGY-6268 Project Cost: $33,000 Course Start Date: 16 Dec 07 Course Completion Date: 21 Feb 08 Number of Participants: 138 females

The UR satellite VTC is dedicated solely to women, offering unemployed widows courses in cosmetology, computer maintenance, and sewing/tailoring. Though in the past the CSP program often targeted insurgent-aged,

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January-March 2008 99 unemployed males aged 17-25, CSP has recently began to evolve into a more traditional development program by shifting focus to long-term stability that includes taking a more holistic approach and involving all sectors of the community.

Though it is relatively small in size, the potential impact of the Ur VTC is great given its close proximity to Baghdad's volatile Sadr City, where unemployment, poverty and disenchantment amongst the local populace are rife. Sadr City is one of the most densely populated and neglected areas of Baghdad, and significantly, most trainees who attend the Ur VTC are from Sadr City.

The Ur VTC has been a huge success to date, graduating nearly 140 women in its first cycle. Its second cycle has a current enrollment of over 120, and the VTC's upcoming third cycle has just received approval to increase the number of classes taught to three shifts, increasing student capacity from 150 to 225.

A VTC is also planned for Sadr City, and like the Ur VTC, it will target both men and women. An additional VTC is planned for Sha'ab City, which like Ur is also located eastern edge of Baghdad's Adhamiya district and is adjacent to Sadr City. CSP is in the process of requesting USAID's concurrence in turning the Sha'ab VTC into a satellite VTC that targets widows in addition to the Iraqi men it currently targets. Currently the Sha'ab VTC has a capacity of 150, and the widows would be offered courses sewing, computer maintenance, and mobile phone maintenance.

C. Micro-Small-Medium-Enterprise Grants and Business Skills Training

Project Title: Mohammed Nasr Mokhlef Aisha had Shop for Appliances Sector: Grants Program Operations Officer: Andrew Wietecha Location: Hit, Al Anbar Project Number: CSP-Hl-BDP-00001 3 PAC Date: 4 Feb 08 Long-Term Jobs Created: 3 Grant Value: $5,030 Grantee Contribution: $2,335 Monitoring & Evaluation Visit: 9 Mar 08

An improved security condition from the violence of 2005 and 2006 had made life easier in the rural Al Anbar town of Hit. Yet life had not been completely restored to normal for Mohammed Nasar Mokhlef's family. With a wife and four children to support, Mohammed found it difficult to make ends meet when he was unemployed.

Having seven years of experience as a salesman and with a breadth of knowledge about consumer interests and appliances, Mohammed was an ideal candidate for a CSP Business Development Program (BOP) grant. Mohammed first heard about CSP's BOP grant program as he saw firsthand the work of CSP in the sector of essential services and infrastructure. Mohammed learned that CSP also did business development work, and a solution to his family's problem was in sight. With the assistance of a BOP program officer, Mohammed went through the proper channels of presenting his idea, completing an application, and finally being awarded a grant.

Mohammed opened the Al Shadad Shop on Hit's main market thoroughfare, and the combination of his professionalism, his reputation as a good and knowledgeable businessman, and the need for an appliance shop has quickly led to a faithful clientele. He is expected to earn a net income over $7,000 for the year. Not only did Mohammed solve his family's problem, but his idea for a business grant also led to two additional families being able to achieve stability, the families of his two employees. Sixteen additional lives benefited from Mohammed's decision to apply for a BOP grant.

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly Rep ort: January - March 2008 100 Project Title: Abbass Jawad Derwish Hotel Establishment In Zahra' I Mahalla 411 Supply With Furniture & Equipment Sector: Grants Program Operations Officer: James Stephenson Location: Kadhemiya, Baghdad Project Number: CSP-BG-00384 Date Completed: Jan 08 Long-Term Jobs Created: 30 Grant Value: $136,771 Grantee Contribution: $641,300

Thousands of pilgrims flock to the city of Kadhemiya to visit one of Baghdad's most significant shrines. The lack of hotels, unfortunately, hinders the city from maximizing the economic benefits that religious tourism can provide.

CSP recently awarded a grant to Abbass, an entrepreneur who is renovating a hotel to accommodate the pilgrims and promote further tourism to the city. With a background in both tourism and hotel management, Abbass has designed a hotel inspired by those in Saudi Arabia which accommodate masses of pilgrims during pilgrimage season. CSP provided the furniture for the rooms, including beds, chairs, refrigerators, desks and an elevator.

The hotel will create more than 30 permanent job opportunities to unemployed persons in the Kadhemiya area.

Project Title: Waleed Jan Jameel Conservatory Establishment in Karrada I Karrada Center Resident in Karrada Center I Mahalla 903 Supply With Equipment & Instruments Sector: Grants Program Operations Officer: James Stephenson Location: Karrada, Baghdad Project Number: BG-BDP-4814 Date Completed: 28 Jan 08 Long-Term Jobs Created: 8 (including grantee) Grant Value: $14,585 Grantee Contribution: $21,370

Jan, once a successful musical instrument dealer with more than 20 years of experience, was forced to close his music institute when the building it was located in burned down during insurgent activity in the area. However, he had a strong relationship with Karrada DAC, and they encouraged him to reopen his institute with support from IRD-CSP/BDP. He immediately submitted his application for a grant, and within three months the work on the institute was complete and he was able to reopen his doors for business.

The music conservatory is now able to provide services such as training, music courses and courses on different instruments, with the goal of teaching music in an academic setting to enable Iraqi youth the chance to learn to play musical instruments and sing in front of audiences either solo or as part of a group. Jan was able to hire eight employees to support his business (six instructors for piano, violin, guitar, rhythm & drum and lute lecturers, plus a duty worker).

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January-March 2008 101 D. Youth Activities

Project Title: Job Seeking Project Sector: Youth Program Operations Officer: lain Findlay Location: Ninewa, Mosul Project Number: IRD/MO-EGY-177 Project Start Date: 1 Feb 08 Project Cost: $91 ,200 Amount Disbursed: $21,734 Youth Participants: 22 Males, 5 Females

The job placement center in Mosul, Ninewa is a room in the public library that has been equiped and furnished by Mosul CSP. The goal of the project was to assist MOLSA with job placement of local Iraqis. The center has five CSP staff, three of whom assist with employment generation and two others who assist with apprenticeships. The office also employs 26 local staff (12 job survey takers, two data entry specialists, two job counselors, two follow-up representatives, six drivers, one team leader and one cleaner)

The office identifies a variety of job vacancies in different sectors of Mosul, particularly the private sector, using its survey staff who travel al I over the city looking for job openings and recording vacancies where they might be able to guide job seekers according to the applicants' skills and preferences. To date, the office has cooperated with the joint sector such as the Al Hukmaa pharmaceutical factory and cell phone companies like ASIA cell and Al Fanoos Comp. With the apprenticeship unit, the office has started work with the public sector.

In a recent success story, this March CSP staff at the job placement center received a visit from Khaled, a father of four. Khaled and his family had fled from Baghdad to Ninewa due to the deteriorating security situation. Although they had come to Ninewa to start a new life, Khaled and his family faced very difficult circumstances upon their arrival. They had nothing but the clothes on their backs, and never knew where the next meal was coming from. Living conditions were very poor, and they were often exposed to the elements. Throughout this time, Kha led persisted in looking for work. Kha led then paid a visit to the CSP job placement center in Ninewa, where he informed the interviewer that he had considerable experience in working with aluminum. Luckily, it just so happened that a request for a person with experience in aluminum had come into the office earlier. Khaled's application was submitted and accepted. A member of the CSP team accompanied Khaled to the aluminum factory in Al Sukker, Ninewa, where the owner interviewed Khaled and went over tasks and responsibilities. Then the owner asked, "When can you start?" Khaled was placed at the aluminum factory on the 18 March as a manager.

When Kha led returned to the job seeking centre to thank CSP staff for their assistance, he was dealt another card of luck. A land owner was looking for a person to take up the duty of night watchman at one of his properties. Khaled was asked if he was interested in moving him and his family into the accommodation in exchange for his services as the night watchman. Khaled accepted.

Khaled has gone on to assist the aluminum factory with the implementation of a new production line. Follow up visits to the factory have confirmed that not only has Khaled been a hard worker, but that his previous experience and knowledge has been vital and valued in the expansion and prosperity of the factory.

The CSP job placement center continues to place people such Khaled in vital roles throughout Ninewa. An Iraqi CSP staff member at the Ninewa job placement center said, "To loose these skilled people to neighboring countries would be tragic for the redevelopment of Iraq and to its stability. CSP Ninewa is assisting with retaining those skills and developing prosperity."

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly R ep ort: January - March 2008 102 Project Title: First Aid Training Pro gram of Unemployed Sector: Youth Program Operations Officer: Steven Th omp son Location: Fallujah, Al Anbar Project Number: CSP-FJ-EGY-00027 Course Start Date: Mar 08 Projected Course Completion Date: May 08 Project Cost: $79,850 plus V.O. $12,825 Youth Participants: 120 males

Th is course will he Ip provide Ira qi youth with essentia I first a id skills, skills that are inv alu ab le in Fallujah and other areas of Al Anbar, a govern orate which has seen more th an its share of bloodshed and violence in recent years. The course is utilizing Iraq Ministry of He aIth (Mo H) approved Ira iners, w~h the end g oa I being th at the MoH and prw ate clinics will employ the course graduates as nu rs es, a mbu Ian ce technicians, etc. A current course participant, Mahmood, lives in a remote village of Al Anbar, which currently has no health services available. The occupants of Mahmood's village have no trained hea Ith per so nn el to respond to a h ea Ith emergency if one we re to arise. Mahmood said that for this reason, he joined the first aid Ira inin g aIon g with 120 other stud en ts without any hesitation. He chose the nearest h ea Ith center where the first aid Ira ining pro gram was being implemented in three hosp ita Is. Mahmood said his family and village residents look forward to him to helping them later.

Project Title: English Course for Beg inning, Intermediate Sector: Youth Program Operations Officer: Steven Thompson Location: Fallujah, Al Anbar Project Number: CSP-FJ-EGY-00026 Course Start Date: 20 Mar 08 Projected Course Completion Date: 19 May 08 Project Cost: $78 ,050 Youth Participants: 105 males. 50 females

Th is project prov id es Iraqi youth with import ant life skills training, which will also give them a better chance at success in the Iraqi job market in the future. Training at this site includes courses in English and compute rs, with three different levels of Ira ining. Th ere we re 50 female stud en ts in the English class sh own above when th is photo was taken by CSP Monitoring & Evaluation staff. Classes a re held in locally- rented schools, which has the additional benefit of a positive economic impact since it pumps dollars back into the surrounding community.

Community Stabilization Pro?J'am {CSP) Quarterly RBport: January- March 2008 103 Project Title: Sport & Art Activities in Al­ Sha rq ia and Al-Zu baid a secondary sch oo Is Sector: Youth Program Operations Officer: DJ Herrera Location: Baghdad Project Number: CSP-BG-EGY-8269 Project Cost: $10 ,372 Project Start Date: 12 Feb 08 Project Completion Date: 18 May 08 Number of Participants: 245 Short-Term Jobs Created: 6

Two girls schools in the Rusafa district, Al Sha rq ia and Zub aida Secondary schools, have begun sports and a rt activities enabled by CSP. This activity is the first of ~s kind specifically targeting female youth between the 15-18 years of age through secondary sch oo Is in Baghdad. Sports gear and a rt supp lies were supp lied to the schools, en ab ling activities such as soccer, v olle yb all, drawing, basketba II, hand ba II, and chess. Over 245 participants were actively engaged from the schools' total student base of 500. Activities began on 9 March and will continue for two months.

Funding to girls' schools is significantly less than for boys' schools, especially for athletics and the arts. Th is was an opportunity for CSP to have a positive imp act on the community by fostering an e nv iro nme nt where young women can safely and comfortably express themselves and build confidence. It was also an op po rtun ity for the g iris to learn to interact po sit iv ely with youth from different b ackg rounds, as the students in both schools are diverse both ethnically and religiously due to their location in the mixed R usafa district.

Project Title: Painting Campaign Sector: Youth Program Operations Officer: Michael Clark Location: Basra Project Number: CSP-BS-EGY-14215 Start Date: 10 March 08 Completion Date: 26 April 08 Project Cost: $43,196 Youth Participants: 25 males

Through a contra ct with the non-govern men ta I Al-Marfa Al-Ba'eed Cultural Center in Basra, CSP is helping to beautify mo re than one kilometer of T-wall barriers in downtown Basra, and putting to work the skills of 25 local youth and mo re than 35 add itio na I artists. Many of these 60-plu s artists were students of an area school kn own as the Institute off in e Arts. The artists chose to paint scenes depicting motifs from Basra's rich and unique cultural and natural heritage.

Like other cities in Iraq, many of Basra's governmental institutions and local gardens are surrounded by protective barriers which, while serving essential security needs, also obstruct views of many of Basra's beautiful buildings and the colors of Basra's gardens. The gray walls become covered with gra!Ui and posters and contribute to a feeling of gloom for the tho us ands of re sid en ts who pass them each day. In addition to brightening the lives of citizens who live or work in the vicinity of the barriers, the project provides meaningful work to young artists, and opportunities for them to participate in making a positive change in their community.

Community Stabilization Pro?J'am {CSP) Quarterly RBport: January- March 2008 104 The artists drew on a variety of sources of inspiration for their w ark, including scenes from the daily life of worn en and men, historical representations, cultural heritage, and nature. some artists worked freehand from photographs, while others came at night and used a laptop computer and projector to assist with their initial sketching. Im ages feature both urban and rural settings, with several tableaux depicting the traditional ways of Iife of the Marsh Arabs for which the region is noted. other artworks de pi ctthe traditional shanasheel latticework that is characteristic of Basra's older horn es and neighborhoods.

The project is expected to conclude with the unveiling by the Governorate Office of the I argest painting located near the Basra Governorate building, but has already begun to draw positive attention from pedestrians and local media. Many of the artists report that passers-by have stopped to praise their work and offer encouragement for their efforts.

Project Title: Fal lujah Basketball championship Sector: Youth • Project Number: CSP-FJ-EGY-00022 Program Operations Officer: Steven Thompson Location: Fallujah, Al Anbar Project Start Date: 15 Feb 08 Project Completion Date: 17 Apr 08 Youth Participants: 250 Males Short-Term Jobs Created: 47 Project Cost $61,350 Communitv Contribution: $8,000

For the Fall ujah Basketbal I Championship held Apri I 17 atthe Ibin Khaldoon school in the Fallujah neighborhood of D huybat, cs P invited re pres entaHves from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Education Directorate to watch the youth play and to provide support. Representatives from the local police were also invited as a way to improve relations between the Iraqi Pol ice and the comm unity. In spite of bad weather conditions due to a sand storm, a large number of comm unity mem be rs attended the c hampi ans hip festival.

Project Title: Supporting Sport Festival in s uliekh sport Club sector: Youth Project Number: CSP-BG-EGY-12443 Program Operations Officer: DJ Herrera Location: Baghdad Project Start Date: 1 Mar 08 Project Completion Date: 1 Apr 08 Project Cost $10,446 Youth Participants: 319 Males Short-Term Jobs Created: 14

The Suli ekh Sport Club is a well-known youth club located in Adhmiya West, part of Baghdad's Adhm iya District. It is the only operational sports club in Al-Sili kh, and as such is an important safe haven for I ocal youth to escape the violence they all too often encounter.

The club allows the young men to instead focus on improving their athletic abilities and gives them the opportunity to socialize peacefully with peers from different ethnic and religious backgrounds. In this way, the club acts as a conduit for reconciliation, bringing youth with comm on interests together in away that reinforces the concept of one Iraq. The reopening of this club was a joint effort between cs P and the

Community &abilization Program (CSP) Quart,erly Report: January - March 2008 105 ePRT covering Adhmiya. CSP provided uniforms and sports equipment for soccer, boxing, wrestling, taekwon do, basketball, volleyball, and bod ybu ild ing. The e PRT rehabilitated the facility and grounds, including the playing field, an indoor basketball court, a weight room, a volleyball court, a wrestling room, and lo ck er rooms.

In addition to equipping the facility, CSP coordina ted with the mana ger of th e club to hold games to kick off the opening ceremony planned by the ePRT. A multi-sport festival was held involving 319 youth registered with the Suliekh Sport Club, including so cc er players, boxers, wrestlers, basketball players, and body builders, all of whom had received uniforms and equipment from CSP.

Project Title: So cc er Championship by Qada AJ-Madain in A~madain District Sector: Youth Location: Mada in, Baghdad Project Number: BG-EGY-7620 Program Operations Officer: DJ Herrera Project Start Date: 6 Feb 08 Project Completion 0 ate: 6 Apr 08 Project Cost: $21 ,863 Youth Participants: 2 ,158

The opening of th e Al Wahdah Soccer Stadium in the Al Mada'in Qada of Baghdad wa s an encouraging sign of a return to normalcy according to the mayor of Al Mada'in in his speech on April 411 during the stadium's ribbon- cutting ce rem on y.

Present at the ce remony were six teams of local youth. Th ese youth will be participating in a Qa da-wide soccer leag ue organized by CSP and the Qada Council Youth and Sport Committee. CSP also coordinated with th e ePRT to hold a game there as part of th eir opening ce remony.

Many local Iraqi leaders were present forthe stadium's opening ceremony, displaying a strong sense of support for the activities. The mayor opened the event with a ribbon cutting, while local leaders such as the co uncil chairman addressed th e gathering with speeches that reflected the hope and op timism displayed by both spectators and participants at the stadium. Next , playe rs from th e six teams put on a display of their soccer skills for the gathered crowd. To round out the ceremony, two of the teams played an exhibition game.

In his remarks, the mayor stressed the importance of the day's events, saying, "Through sport and ed uca tion, we will create a better future fo r our children, a future of peace and prosperity in Iraq." His remarks reflect the attitude of .AJ Mada'in citi zens who have refused to allow militias and criminal elements to destabilize the Qada.

Community Stabl//zatlon Program (CSP) Quart~rly Rtlport: January - March 2008 106 Project Title: Nassaf Soccer Championship Sector: Youth Program Operations Officer: Steven Thompson Location: Fallujah, Al Anbar Project Number: CSP_FJ_EGY _00023 start Date: 15 Feb 08 Completion Date: 15 Apr 08 Youth Participants: 300 males Short-Term Jobs Created: 45 Project Cost: $62,718 Community Contribution: $8,000

The final festival of the Al-Nassaf soccer championship was held April 16th. CSP provided uniforms and equipment, coordinated the leagues and the schedule of games and eliminations, invited city officials and VI P's to the final festival, and provided refreshments and trophies. The festival had more than 2,000 locals in attendance, and had official and local community support in its setup. Festival attendees said that it was the first successful event of its nature since 2004 and that it more than achieved their goals. Among those in attendance were the head and officers of the Iraqi Police, as well as a large number of IP staff, city council representatives, and local sheiks.

Project Title: Haditha Soccer Championship Location: Haditha, Al Anbar Project Number: CSP-HD-EGY-00001 Program Operations Officer: Zarko Draganic start Date: 19 Mar 08 Completion Date: 15 Apr 08 Project Cost: $60,860 Youth Participants: 275 Short-Term Jobs Created: 35

This project will directly benefit approximately 275 Iraqi youth. The Haditha South Dam village soccer field has a capacity of about 300 visitors. It is estimated that as many as 3,000 young people will attend the soccer games during this project. Thirty-five short­ term jobs will be also created, helping to provide an immediate source of income for unemployed local Iraqis and their families.

The purpose of this project was to bring young men age 17-25 from different areas of Haditha together in a soccer competition to help encourage community unity. CSP provided soccer balls, awards, prizes, uniforms, food and beverages for participating youth. CSP also provided transportation for the youth and staff and paid a stipend to locals serving the project implementation (16 trainers, eight referees, five representatives of the local youth administration and six vehicle drivers).

CSP staff, in coordination with the Ministry of Youth & Sports (MoYS), developed an organizational chart and helped to plan the games for the Haditha Soccer Championship, to include registration of the teams; registration of the coaches and referees; preparation of the 16 teams; soccer field preparation; organizing the games; and organizing the opening ceremonies and the final awards ceremony. The project was well received and supported by the local population and local authorities.

Community Stabilization Program (CSP) Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 107 Project Title: Haqlaniyah Soccer Championship Sector: Youth Location: Haditha, Al Anbar Project Number: CSP-HD-EGY-00002 Program Operations Officer: Zarko Draganic Start Date: 28 Mar 08 Completion Date: 21 Apr 08 Project Cost: $50,600 Youth Participants: 208 Short-Term Jobs Created: 28

This project will directly benefit approximately 208 Iraqi youth. The Haditha Dam village soccer field has a capacity of about 300 visitors. It is estimated that as many as 3,000 young people will enjoy watching the games during the project realization. Twenty-eight short-term jobs will be also created, providing an immediate source of income for unemployed Iraqis and their families.

The purpose of this project is to bring young men from Haqlaniyah and rural areas together through a soccer competition to foster peaceful community relations between youth from different secondary schools of Haqlaniyah and to provide them a positive outlet for their energies as an alternative to violent activities.

CSP provided soccer balls, awards, prizes, uniforms, food and beverages for participating youth. CSP also provided transportation for the youth and staff and paid a stipend to locals serving the project implementation ( 12 trainers, 6 referees, 5 representatives of local Youth administration and 5 vehicles drivers). CSP Youth officers, in cooperation with the MoYS, designed the project, identified youth to participate, organized and registered teams, and established a games schedule.

Project Title: Rehabilitation of Abu Al­ Khaseeb Youth and Sports Center Sector: Youth Location: Abu Al-Khaseeb, Basra Project Number: CSP-BS-EGY-10826 Project Cost: $50,985 Program Operations Officer: Michael Clark Start Date: 7 Feb 08 Completion Date: 3 Apr 08 Youth Participants: 154 (134 male/20 female) Short-Term Jobs Created: 20

In cooperation with the Basra Directorate of Youth and Sport, EGY Basra completed rehabilitation work at the Abu Al-Khaseeb Youth and Sports Center, located in a semi-rural district east of Basra city, on March 18.

Upon project completion , CSP helped support a three-day youth and sport festival on March 24 with a theme of "Sport Unites Us." After a colorful parade of the sports teams attended by representatives of local authorities and the Youth and Sports Directorate, the festival held competitions for volleyball, football and running, then concluded with an awards ceremony.

A total of 90 participants, of which 20 were female, took part in the first day of the festival, with 64 participants (all male) on the oth er two days. Uniforms and shoes were provided to participants by CSP,

Community Stabilization Program {CSP) Quarterly Report: January -March 2008 108 and the center supported the festiva I through prevision of 1 0 su pe rv iso ry staff. Prior to rehabilitation, the center had fallen into disuse th rough neglect and la ck of mainte na nee, and organized sports events had all but ended, as the bathrooms had become unusable and the fie Ids were littered with debris and pools of mud and stagnant water. Rehabilitation work included significant repair to the center's sanitary facilities, repainting stadium seating, re construct ion of damaged perimeter wa Us, re-layering the fo otba II fields, rep airing fences, and basic land sea ping.

The need for this project was identified separately by oth the Provincial Reconstruct ion and Dev e lopm en! Council in consultation with the Basra PRT, as well as by the Directorate of Youth and Sport in consultation with CSP. After discussion with the Basra PRT, which had selected the project for QRF support, it was agreed that the project would instead be implemented by CSP's EGY department.

Project Title: H ab ba niyah Vo lie yball Tournament Location: Ha bb aniyah, Al Anb ar Project Number: CSP-HA-EGY-00002 Project Cost: $98,710 Program Operations Officer: Timothy Bisbee Start Date: 18 Mar 08 Completion Date: 30 Apr 08 Youth Participants: 360 Short-Term Jobs Created: 60

The opening ce re monies for the "Erne rg ing Youth Vo lleyba II T ourna men!" for Ha bb aniyah, Kha lidiyah, J azee rah, and Albu-Fa had we re conducted on 18 Mar 08, followed by competitive matches. The project engaged 360 area males 17-25 years old, representing 24 teams from four districts. The games we re held at area schoo Is, which will retain the v olle yb all eq uipm en! at the conclusion of the tournament for continued youth activity.

The to urn a men! was sponsored by CSP H ab ban iya h in cooperation with four lo cal schools, the lo cal sports committee, the city council and the ma yo r. A letter of support and ap prov a I was also received from the director of youth and sport for Al Anbar, representing the Ministry of Youth.

The Ha bb aniyah EG Y staff coo rd in ate d the develop men! and implementation of the project w~h assistance and input from the stakeholders mentioned above. CSP provided minor rehabilitation for the playing surfaces and the installation of the volleyball nets. The schools where the games we re played retained the equip men! following the completion of the project to further provide opportunities for physical education and youth en gag eme nt in hea Ith y a ct iv itie s. CSP provided youth with uniforms and shoes and provided coaches and assistant co aches with genera I coaching e qu ipme nt.

The project aimed to provide a forum for competition, entertainm en!, id ea e xcha ng e, and conflict mitigation. The youth of the Ha bba niyah a re a have few op po rtun itie s to gather and share ideas and foster camaraderie. Through this project, area youth from four districts were ab le to associate and compete in monitored healthy activities. Youth sports programs are very import ant in this community to foster goodwill, provide an avenue for community invo Ive men! and cohesiveness and engage youth in whole so me act iv ~ie s.

An opening ceremony was held to engage the community, garner support, and increase attendance for the match es. An awards ce re mon y was held following the champion ship match and the top three teams were awarded trophies. Pia ye rs and sup po rt peo pie received participant medals. Snacks and drinks we re provided for players and coaches during match play and during the awards ceremony. The tournament matches were played for 46 days.

Community Stabilization Pro?J'am {CSP) Quarterly RBport: January- March 2008 109 Project Title: Ka rkh Soccer Tournament Sector: Youth Location: Ka rkh, Baghdad Project Number: BG-EGY-12427 Program Operations Officer: DJ Herrera Project Start Date: 19 Feb 08 Project Completion Date: 26 Feb 08 Project Cost: $38 ,690 Youth Participants: 1 ,632

Mo re than 1 ,600 spectators and participants attended the opening ceremonies for Karkh's new soccer league March 1st, an unusual show of support in a district frequently plagued by security concerns in recent yea rs. In an effort to e ncou rage development of the league, CSP provided soccer equipment, uniforms, me dais, and trophies to the 900-p lus players and staff. In addition, CSP p Ians to renovate two Karkh soccer fields with grass, an irrigation system, and spe eta tor seating by September 2008, all with the go al of fostering positive interact ion between players and spectators from different ethnic and religious groups.

The District Council was eager to do its pa rt as well, sh owing its sup po rt by sponsoring the league, working with community leaders to coordinate attendance by 50-p lus teams, providing event pro motion, and arranging preg ame festivities such as a celebratory parade and music. Such active participation helps sh ow Ka rkh re sid en ts th at lo cal government officia Is a re both motivated and e mp owe red to foster a return to normalcy and community stability. In addition, many high-ranking officials were quick to show en do rseme nt of the league by attending the op en ing ceremonies and app lauding the young players.

The players, all of whom were from Baghdad's Karkh district, were mostly age 17-25 and came from both Sunni and Shi a b ackg rounds as well as different !rib es; their participation in a mixed league was a symbolic step Iowa rd s unification in the area, as we II as an en co urag in g sign of no rma Icy in a district that has faced frequent conflict in recent years due to widely-varying beliefs and backgrounds amongst ~s populace. The mixed league has helped to unify Sunni and Shia players, staff, community leaders, and spectators, many of whom have varying religious be liefs and come from different tribes. In spite of their disparate backgrounds, they a re unified by their love of a game which has be co me widely-popular throughout Iraq. particularly since Iraq won the 2007 Asian Cup so cc er championship against Sau di Arabia. Notably, the winning po int in that game came from an Iraqi Sunni, while assist for the play came from a Ku rd, and throughout the game, the Shiite goalkeeper prevented the Saudi team from scoring.

CSP is looking to foster similar unity between Sunni and Sh ia players and fans with in the newly- estab lish ed Ka rkh league and other so cc er leagues currently being set up throughout Iraq. Soccer is both an intense nation al interest and a source of local pride, making it an ideal me di um for reaching out to Iraqi communities. CSP particularly wou Id like to e ncou rage inv o Ive ment in the league by young Iraqi males at risk for recruitment into in su rg ency or local militia. To this end, the target age range for league players is 15-30 years old. By providing th em with positive role models and tying th em into their co mmun itie s through sports, they are less likely to be vulnerable to persuasion by outside influences looking to use the youths' natura I sense of patriotism, or even their bored om and restlessness, to carry out violent activities. By creating a healthy outlet for the young men's energy and directing their sense of national pride and enthusiasm towards sports, the young men are helped to establish roots in their communities and encouraged to develop an important sense of unity with other players and community members with disparate backgrounds or interests.

The league's grand opening attracted both Arabic and western journalists, including NBC News' Richard Engel, the Chicago Tribune's Liz Sly, and an Associated Press photographer.

Community Stabilization Pro?J'am {CSP) Quarterly RBport: January- March 2008 110