Erbil, KURDISTAN (December 7^th,2023)- Rwanga Foundation held the closing Ceremony for the ‘Youth Volunteers Initiative” project 2023.

Voluntary work is generally considered an altruistic activity where an individual or a group of people provide services for no personal or financial gain but merely for the benefit of the public. Therefore, Rwanga Foundation has launched the project of ‘Youth Volunteers Initiative’ with the theme of Environment , in which was to urge youth to come up with project proposals and participate in a competition to be funded and supported to implement their projects for the best benefits of the public. 309 projects applied to the ‘Youth Volunteers Initiative’, and 10 projects had been selected by the judges, and funded by Rwanga Foundation to be implemented.

During the ceremony, all the projects were presented and explained as well as shown the importance and impact on the beneficiaries. Each Group had used the chance to share their experience from the start of the Youth Volunteers Initiative (YVI) project until the implementation of their project.

These are the awarded groups and projects:

(We are Competing for the Environment) Project
- Implemented by (Teamwork Volunteer Group)

- Location: Sulaymaniyah
- Provided Fund: 9,000,000 IQD
- Total beneficiaries: 8708 person

- Participants: (5) volunteers

Throughout the project, 12 schools participated in the environmental competition, as a result 12 empty areas got decorated with greenery with a total area of 3200 m2 and 1000 trees and flowers were planted, after that، the winners were selected by an expert committee and the first prize was given to the first place winner.

(Ecotourism Protectors) Project
- Implemented by (Ecotourism Department Volunteer Group)

- Location: Duhok
- Provided Fund: 4,570,000 IQD

- Total beneficiaries: 200 person

- Participants: (7) volunteers

The project aims to raise public awareness for the protection of our touristic sites and the prevention from any harm that might ruin the overall look of the touristic site, from trash, to garbage, to writing on heritage areas and disrupting the natural environment of the site.

(The Iraqi Climate Movement) Project
- Implemented by (Apkallu Volunteer Group)

- Location: Najaf
- Provided Fund: 8,900,000 IQD

- Total beneficiaries: 9,802 person

- Participants: (10) volunteers

The project aimed to raise awareness about climate change and environmental issues in Iraq, Empower individuals and communities to take sustainable action, foster collaboration and support research for sustainable development in Iraq.

(Eco-Friendly Bicycle Marathon in Mosul) Project
- Implemented by (Nineveh's Women Volunteer Group)

- Location: Nineveh
- Provided Fund: 9,000,000IQD

- Total beneficiaries: 1000 person

- Participants: (15) volunteers

The bicycle marathon project in Mosul aims to promotes eco-friendly travel, making bikes a public transport to cut carbon emissions. Urging fitness and health and spreading awareness on cycling’s environmental perks, while building a community that’s involved in green efforts.

(Life in a Drop) Project
- Implemented by (Water Ambassadors Volunteer Group)

- Location: Wasit
- Provided Fund: 8,710,000 IQD

- Total beneficiaries: 800 person

- Participants: (6) volunteers

The project aimed to contribute to raising awareness for women to reduce the phenomenon of climate change in their homes.

(Climate Change Monument) Project
- Implemented by (Ruiya Volunteer Group)

- Location: Babylon
- Provided Fund: 9,000,000 IQD

- Total beneficiaries: 1000 person

- Participants: (5) volunteers

The project aimed to educating the Iraqi society about the importance of climate change and to create a monument that became a public awareness sculpture.

(Our Environment Our Responsibility) Project
- Implemented by (PIXEL MEDIA Volunteer Group)

- Location: Baghdad
- Provided Fund: 6,100,000 IQD

- Total beneficiaries: 4000 person

- Participants: (7) volunteers

The project aimed to educating the community about the importance of the environment and encouraging participation in climate challenges through emotive video campaigns. Raising the interest of young people in environmental topics to promote the concept of good environmental citizenship.

(Planting the Environment in the Heart of Society) Project
- Implemented by (Brothers Volunteer Group)

- Location: Erbil
- Provided Fund: 8,060,000 IQD

- Total beneficiaries: 25,650 person

- Participants: (5) volunteers

The project aimed to prevent white pollution, that humans use on daily basis and causes environmental pollution, they used schools and education centers as a medium for environmental education and awareness spreading. As well, phenomenal efforts were taken for making environmental protection a culture, by preventing plastic pollution in villages and polluted areas.

(Revival of a Village) Project
- Implemented by (Hawar Volunteer Group)

- Location: Halabja
- Provided Fund: 9,000,000 IQD

- Total beneficiaries: 375  person

- Participants: (7) volunteers

The project aimed to create an artificial forest that became a home to 200 new trees. As well as repairing, re-connecting and renovating 3 water well that irrigated more than 9 gardens, also, Cleaning the village and tourist places nearby.

(Our Marshes Our Home) Project
- Implemented by (The Marshes are my Home Volunteer Group)

- Location: Halabja
- Provided Fund: 8,935,000 IQD

- Total beneficiaries: 400  person

- Participants: (5) volunteers

The project aimed to showcase the marshlands’ drought through photography and a specialized exhibition, conveying the crisis visually. A very informative training was conducted for the photographers, intensifying focus on the drought issue, while offering guidance and regulations to increase the number of tourists in the area.

Youth Volunteers Initiative is an annual project of the Rwanga Foundation that started in 2018, the project is implemented all over Iraq with the aim of supporting young volunteers to come up with project proposals and participate in a competition to implement their projects for the best benefit of the public.

Each year an average of 13+ groups are funded to implement projects in their community. Since 2018, (80) projects were funded with (308,330,000) Iraqi dinars worth of fund, and (701) volunteers participated in the projects, the initiatives targeted (216,442) beneficiaries, and helped making their lives better.