Canada announces funding for development projects in Iraq

March 19, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

Canada and Iraq’s friendly ties and good bilateral relationship are supported by shared interests and a commitment to advance security, stability and prosperity in Iraq and the region. Since 2016, Canada has supported development assistance in Iraq to strengthen good governance, advance gender equality, address climate change and promote the economic empowerment of women and girls.

Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, met with Fuad Hussein, Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. During this meeting, Minister Hussen announced $14.77 million in development assistance funding for 3 projects in the country:

• The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture will receive $5 million for the Strengthening Evidence-Based Water Management project. This initiative aims to improve the Government of Iraq’s ability to develop and apply evidence-based knowledge to better manage and sustain the country’s water resources.
• Action Against Hunger Canada will receive $4.77 million for the Promoting Feminist Solutions to Climate Change-Driven Water and Food Insecurity project. This initiative aims to increase the adoption of climate-smart approaches along food value chains, as well as increase community decision making to promote climate change governance by strengthening women’s rights and youth-led organizations in drought-affected areas.
• The National Democratic Institute will receive $5 million for the second phase of the Supporting Gender-Sensitive Local Governance Through Women’s Advisory Boards Program. This initiative aims to strengthen women’s capacity to influence decisions on the allocation of resources in their communities. The second phase of the project will extend the Women Advisory Boards model to a wider geographic area.