Call for Proposals: Community Initiatives to Prevent Violent Extremism in Al-Muthana Governorate

Overview

Al-Mesalla Organization for Human Resources Development, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Committee for Preventing Violent Extremism in Iraq, announces an open call for proposals from registered local NGOs. The program will support 2 grants Al-Muthana Governorate, with each grant amounting to IQD 3,930,000.

Grant Objectives

• Prevent violent extremism at the community level.
• Contribute directly to the priorities outlined in each governorate’s action plan.
• Strengthen the leadership and participation of women and youth.
• Build local capacities in peacebuilding and social cohesion.
• Generate lessons learned and best practices based on community experience.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be a registered local NGO operating in Iraq.
• Have a proven presence and operational capacity in the selected governorate.
• Apply for only one governorate and only one grant.
• Demonstrate relevant experience in peacebuilding, youth engagement, women’s empowerment, or community development.
• Preference will be given to women- and youth-led organizations.
• Be able to responsibly manage grant funds and fulfill reporting requirements.

Administrative & Financial Requirements

• Audited financial report for 2024 (or the latest available year).
• Compliance with Al-Mesalla’s organizational policies, including finance, procurement, HR, safeguarding, Code of Conduct, and visibility standards.
• Detailed budget 3,930,000 IQD submitted using the official budget template.

Thematic Areas 

1. Capacity Building for Committee Members
   Develop and implement specialized, continuous training programs for committee members to ensure they remain aligned with updates from the Central Committee. This will enhance their effectiveness and operational performance.
2. Enhancing Educational Staff Qualifications
   Launch a capacity-building initiative targeting art and physical education teachers, aiming to strengthen their role in channeling students' energy into constructive activities that foster well-rounded personal development.
3. Raising Awareness of Digital Risks
   Organize interactive workshops, in collaboration with youth and sports forums, to educate young people on the dangers of online exploitation, hate speech, and other digital threats.
4. Supporting Communities Affected by Climate Change
   Design and implement economic and social empowerment programs for families displaced by climate change. These programs should provide sustainable alternatives while preventing the exploitation of vulnerable populations.
5. Promoting Public Awareness
   Produce and widely disseminate visual media content—including short films and video clips—to simplify and communicate the goals of the National Strategy to Combat Violent Extremism, ensuring the message reaches diverse segments of society.

Timeline

• Applications open: 29 September 2025
• Deadline: 10 October 2025 (late submissions will not be accepted)
• Results announcement: 15 October 2025
• Implementation period: Until 30 November 2025

How to Apply (Two Steps)

1. Complete the online KoBo form
2. Send a confirmation email with the completed budget template to: grant@mesalla.org

Selection Criteria

• 30% Relevance to governorate action plan
• 25% Project design and methodology
• 20% Expected impact and sustainability
• 15% Organizational and financial capacity
• 10% Inclusivity and conflict sensitivity