ILO trains UNHCR staff and Implementing Partners field-based in Iraq on Local Economic Recovery

The workshop took place between 1 and 3 August, 2007 in Kuwait City. UNHCR has offered financial, organizational and logistic support which enabled the timely and effective implementation of the initiative; complementary contribution was conveyed through the Cluster Working Group on Early Recovery (CWGER), covering w/m of the activity manager and mission costs.

The workshop gathered 22 participants from 12 Implementing Partners of UNHCR in Iraq (including IOM), and 5 participants from UNHCR. It was facilitated by a training specialist of the ILO International Training Centre, an ILO Official from ILO CRISIS and an UNHCR reintegration field-based specialist currently working in Angola.

The training materials have been developed by ILO (CRISIS and the Regional Office for Arab States) and the ILO International Training Centre in Turin. The activity was managed by the ILO capacity building and training focal point for the CWGER.

Among the major results were: the familiarization of the participants with the main features of the LER approach and the discussion on the implications of applying this in Iraq; the attainment of knowledge and methodologies to analyse existing resources of different territories and employment potential for integration opportunities; the increased understanding of the value added of multi-stakeholders dialogue and consensus towards more relevant and comprehensive LER initiatives; the familiarization with operational options for the design of action plans in support to livelihood and economic recovery at the local level;

A "community-based livelihoods and economic recovery programming chart for areas with high displacement" was produced by the participants and will be shared within UNHCR and with the ILO for further comments and follow-up. UNHCR will then have to decide if and to what extent it will streamline the LER approach into its programmes.

Comments and recommendations were collected for a sound revision of the learning material and training delivery options.

Photographs from the workshop