In a program recently convened by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Baghdad, attended by program partners, the official aid agency of the US government announced the award of first round of grants under Iraq Access to Justice Program.
The meeting was attended by the representatives from the Government of Iraq ministries, the U.S. Embassy and other partner organizations, in which NGOs, law schools, and other civil society organizations were given grants aimed at providing legal aid and enhancing legal assistance to underserved and disadvantaged populations across Iraq. The beneficiary groups include women, widows, divorcees, orphans, internally displaced persons, persons with disabilities, minorities, and those who lack state protection and services, such as individuals without formal identity documents or legal status in Iraq.
Access to Justice Program funded by the US Government through USAID works in partnership with Iraqi NGOs and civil society partners to provide information and advocacy to these vulnerable populations so that they can access the benefits and services that are rightfully theirs and more fully realize their legal rights.
In total, the Access to Justice Program will award over $6 million in grants. The first round of grants highlighted at this event are valued at over $1.2 million, distributed through 15 separate grant awards to Iraqi civil society organizations. Each grant is valued at approximately $81,000 and they have been designated to support projects between six to twelve months in duration.
During the meeting, representatives of the new grantee partners and other organizations shared their vision and experience serving vulnerable populations. All participants spoke about plans for making service and assistance to these groups sustainable through continued internal support and lasting legislative and curricular reforms.
