Transition Initiatives
USAID's Iraq Transition Initiatives (ITI) program supported critical actions that build and sustain Iraqi confidence in the transition to a participatory, stable, and democratic country. These projects fill crucial gaps in U.S. government assistance efforts and increase Iraqi support for the transition. ITI activities are implemented through a contract that allows for fast and flexible disbursement of small grants to local organizations.
From April 2003 through the spring of 2006, ITI initiated more than 5,058 small grants across Iraq worth more than $338 million. ITI's activities focused primarily on areas crucial to the development of democracy such as civic education, civil society, media, women's participation, good governance, conflict mitigation, human rights, and transitional justice.
Conflict Mitigation
 | A road repair project funded by an ITI grant restored the community's streets, eliminated unsanitary conditions, and provided over 3,000 temporary jobs. |
Many ITI activities helped to mitigate sources of tension in current or potential conflict areas, such as Sadr City and Tal'Afar. ITI grants have focused on repairing community infrastructure, like water and sewerage systems, and employing Iraqis to clean-up their neighborhoods. ITI has initiated approximately 2,290 grants with a conflict mitigation focus at a value of over $208 million.
ITI has also established a close working relationship with the U.S. military and other Coalition Forces present in volatile areas across Iraq. For example, ITI worked with the U.S. Army's First Cavalry Division, 3rd Infantry Division and is currently working with the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division to identify priority areas and projects in Baghdad. In support of these and similar activities, ITI has approved approximately 1,220 grants worth more than $133 million in the Baghdad area of operation.
Civil Society Development and Promoting Good Governance
Nationally, ITI supported efforts to expand citizens' understanding of and participation in the establishment of new Iraqi institutions. Civic education and media outreach initiatives were used to inform the public about the constitutional process, election planning, and the transition to democracy. Locally, the program helped to enhance citizen participation in governance by identifying and supporting new local government and civil society groups, especially women's and youth groups, and human rights organizations. Using small grants, ITI projects engaged communities and emerging leaders and encourage them to address local priority needs together.
Human Rights and Transitional Justice
ITI supported a wide range of activities related to human rights and transitional justice, coordinating closely with the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Department of Justice's Regime Crimes Liaison Office. Projects in this area have included funding nascent human rights organizations, supporting activities that assist the Iraqi people in accounting for and moving beyond past atrocities committed in Iraq via grants providing support for the establishment of the Iraqi Special Tribunal. ITI grants also bolstered participation in public life of traditionally marginalized and vulnerable groups including women, youth, minorities and the disabled.
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