ILO strengthens development of agricultural organizations and cooperatives in Kurdistan and Federal Iraq
From February 26 to 28, 2025 the ILO worked on strengthening agriculture and cooperative development in Kurdistan and Federal Iraq by enhancing governance, business planning, and economic sustainability.
27 February 2025
GENEVA (ILO News) - ILO COOP/SSE Unit participated in a three-day workshop from February 26 to 28, 2025, under the PROSPECTS Iraq programme to support the Awder Association. This social and solidarity economy (SSE) entity, with 176 members, is dedicated to strengthening the agricultural sector by supporting farmers’ groups, informal agricultural associations, and cooperatives in Kurdistan and Federal Iraq. As a grassroots network of farmers and agricultural actors, Awder is one of the few well-connected organizations in Kurdistan, playing a role in supporting the agricultural sector. The workshop aimed to enhance the association’s governance, develop a comprehensive business plan, and establish an action plan for economic sustainability.
Strengthening Awder’s Governance in line with SSE principles and values
The first day of the workshop focused on strengthening Awder’s governance framework to better align with SSE principles and values. Rayann Koudaih from ILO COOP/SSE introduced the SSE definition, including its entities, principles and values based on the 2022 ILO Resolution on Decent Work and the Social and Solidarity Economy. He underlined the importance of democratic governance, voluntary participation, and financial sustainability while maintaining a strong social mission. Participants discussed the type of SSE entities that exist in the local context, including associations, social enterprises, and cooperatives, to assess what would be most suitable for effective governance.
With guidance from the ILO PROSPECTS team, Awder revised its bylaws to more closely reflect SSE values and principles highlighting reinforcing transparency, member engagement, and sustainable financial management.
Strategic Planning and Priority Setting
The second day of the workshop focused on defining Awder’s vision, mission, and strategic priorities. The association reaffirmed its commitment to supporting farmers, particularly vulnerable groups through cooperative development. Additional services include advocacy efforts to engage in national agricultural policy discussions, providing business development services, and direct assistance to farmers through access to inputs and market opportunities.
Operationalizing the Strategy and Ensuring Economic Sustainability
The final day of the workshop focused on translating Awder's strategic plan into a concrete action plan to strengthen its operational capacity and long-term sustainability. Discussions focused on reviewing the association’s staff plan toward expanding activities and accessing financial resources to meet its objectives. A key focus was developing economic projects to sustain Awdeir financially while upholding its commitment to farmers and cooperatives.
Next Steps
Following the workshop, ILO PROSPECTS Iraq, with support from ILO COOP/SSE Unit, will assist Awder with a comprehensive capacity-building plan focusing on strengthening its internal governance, and enhancing its organizational structure and staffing. The plan will also prioritize the development of support services for cooperatives and farmers' groups. Additionally, efforts will be directed toward designing and implementing agricultural economic projects that both benefit cooperatives and generate sustainable revenue for the association’s long-term viability.
This initiative aligns with ILO’s broader commitment to advancing decent work and sustainable development in and through the SSE in Iraq.
The PROSPECTS partnership is a strategic four-year global initiative supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition to the ILO, the partnership includes the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Bank (WB), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), all working together to support host communities and displaced populations across the Arab States, East Africa, and North Africa.