NGO Capacity Building Programme for Iraqi NGOs

Often when we think of the work of an organisation such as Muslim Hands we imagine emergency relief work or infrastructure development. These highly tangible areas are the main focus of our work, but there are other equally important yet lesser known aspects.

Our aim at Muslim Hands is to help people, poor and needy people or those who are suffering. A vital aspect of this is planning for the long term and equipping people to help themselves: people do not want to receive handouts and support indefinitely, they want the opportunity to build their own future.

Helping Iraqis Help Themselves

Following the fall of the regime in Iraq in 2003 and especially in the period of increasing instability that followed, many Iraqi NGOs were established. These were often community rooted organisations fulfilling a specific need, or taking the place of international NGOs who left due to the lack of security.

When it comes to knowledge on the ground, commitment and the ability to carry out work without hindrance many Iraqi NGOs are second to none. Yet, due to the nature of their formation and a lack of experience on the part of those involved, many found certain aspects of their work such as fundraising, media work and people management difficult. Moreover, some have struggled to put in place the practices that are required to maintain effectiveness as their role in society has continued to grow.

Meeting the Need

At the end of the programme attendees were awarded a certificate.

Recognising this need and both the short and long term direct benefit to the Iraqi people, MH devised a capacity building programme for the NGOs of Iraq. A syllabus was drawn up to develop skills in several key areas: effective administration and management, communication and public relationships, writing project funding proposals and strategic planning for NGOs.

A pilot programme was held between the 5th and 12th February 2005 and was attended by 22 people representing 12 Iraqi NGOs. For reasons of security and openness, and to allow input from Jordanian NGOs, the training programme was held in Amman, Jordan.

Focused around the areas identified above, the programme consisted of training, group exercises, interaction with local and other NGOs and the opportunity to share ideas and discuss projects. As well as benefiting themselves, attendees were taught to take away what they had learnt and to teach it to others in their respective organisations.

The programme proved to be highly successful and all those who attended felt they were in a much better position to run their respective organisations and that there were lots of skills they could pass on. Most importantly, these improvements are filtering down to help the average Iraqi, through greater and more efficient work carried out by the NGOs.

Building on the Success

Following the success of the pilot programme a second training programme was held between the 18th-25th June, 2005. Indeed, an MH partner was so impressed by the pilot programme that funding was received towards the cost of the second course.

Muslim Hands is considering also organising and delivering a similar program for our partners and other NGOs in Africa.

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