News
April 22, 2026
As part of its efforts to expand its institutional impact and enhance its international partnerships, the Al-Rakeezeh Foundation for Relief and Development continues to play a pivotal role in leading and developing the Iraqi Civil Society for Education Forum (ICSEF), serving as the Vice President of the Forum in the regions of the Republic of Iraq since February 2025, in close partnership with People in Need organization and technical coordination with UNESCO.
The ICSEF Forum, established in 2024 within the ITALEEM Project (2024–2027) funded by the European Union, in partnership with UNICEF and the Iraqi Ministry of Education, is a national, inclusive platform aimed at enhancing the role of civil society organizations in developing the education sector and shaping its policies.
An Active International Partnership and a National Leadership Role
Al-Rakeezeh’s participation in this forum embodies an advanced model of integration between national and international actors, as the Foundation has contributed to building effective coordination bridges between local organizations and international partners, thereby enhancing the efficiency of sectoral work and ensuring broader representation of field needs within planning and decision-making pathways.
In this context, Al-Rakeezeh has emerged as a pivotal entity in activating and developing specialized working groups, particularly in the areas of Teacher Professional Development (TPD), Climate-Related Education (CRE), and facilitating coordination among actors in the education sector at the national level.
Enhancing Policy Impact and Civil Society Representation
Through its active presence in national coordination platforms, particularly the Education Sector Coordination Group (ESCG), Al-Rakeezeh works to transmit real challenges and needs from the field level to decision-making circles, contributing to the development of more responsive and realistic education policies.
The Foundation also contributes to supporting the production of evidence-based policy papers and enhancing the participation of civil society organizations in national discussions, thereby consolidating its role as a key partner in shaping the future of education in Iraq.
Towards a Sustainable National Model
The role undertaken by the Al-Rakeezeh Foundation within ICSEF represents a strategic step towards establishing a sustainable national model for leading the education sector, based on the principle of “localization,” by enabling national organizations to assume advanced leadership roles and gradually transitioning from reliance on international initiatives to building an integrated national coordination system.
This multi-stakeholder partnership affirms that investing in the capacities of civil society and enhancing its presence in policy-influencing pathways are fundamental pillars for achieving comprehensive and sustainable educational reform in Iraq.
