Local Peacebuilding Initiatives in Iraq: Workshop Explores Community-driven Solutions for...

A one-day workshop held in January 2025 in Erbil, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), provided a platform for discussing the crucial role of Local Peace Committees (LPCs) and other community-driven initiatives in Iraq’s ongoing peacebuilding efforts. Organized by PeaceRep Post-doctoral Research Fellow Juline Beaujouan and Sangar Salih (University of Salahaddin-Erbil), the workshop brought together practitioners, civil society members, and local leaders to explore the challenges and successes of these grassroots peace initiatives, particularly in the wake of Islamic State’s defeat in 2017.

Since the collapse of the Islamic State group, local peacebuilding initiatives have played an essential role in the recovery and reconstruction of Iraq’s communities. One such initiative, the network of LPCs formed by the Peace and Freedom Organization (PFO) in Nineveh in 2017, has been instrumental in fostering dialogue and rebuilding trust within and between communities. Similar initiatives have been established in Kirkuk and Diyala provinces, where local actors have worked tirelessly to resolve tensions and promote social cohesion.

The PeaceRep workshop explored several key themes, including the processes involved in establishing local peace initiatives, the importance of inclusivity, and how to ensure that marginalized groups such as women and youth are fully represented in peacebuilding efforts.

Workshop attendees participate in a discussion
Photo by Sangar Salih

In addition to addressing local challenges, the workshop also examined the broader impact of these initiatives on Iraq’s peace process. Discussions included the importance of collaboration with both local, national and international actors. At the same time, participants acknowledged challenges such as navigating the complex political landscape and ensuring long-term impact.

The event offered a valuable opportunity for cross-sector collaboration, as participants brainstormed ideas for improving and scaling up successful practices, while also learning from past challenges. By fostering dialogue between local peacebuilders, government officials, and international partners, the workshop contributed to strengthening the collective effort to rebuild Iraq’s social fabric.

In a region marked by conflict and division, the work of Local Peace Committees and similar initiatives provides a hopeful path forward, demonstrating the power of community-driven solutions in achieving lasting peace. The insights shared at this workshop will continue to inform future efforts to promote stability and healing in Iraq and beyond.

The organizers would like to extend their deep gratitude to the workshop participants for their trust and the honesty with which they shared their often-painful personal experiences of conflict and the challenges of peacebuilding. Their openness provided valuable insights into the realities of local peace efforts.

This workshop builds on a collaborative initiative between PeaceRep and the University of Salahaddin, which took place in August 2024. The initiative aimed to better understand and contribute to sustainable peace in the KRI and the broader context of Iraq.


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