Young Enumerators and Mediators (YEM) Capacity Development

Ninewa Governorate remains deeply affected by the aftermath of the Islamic State (IS) occupation, with destroyed infrastructure, weakened administrative structures, and limited access to social services. Economic hardships, competition for resources, and an influx of returnees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) exacerbate tensions, increasing the risk of violent conflict. 

The Young Enumerators and Mediators (YEM) Capacity Development project is part of the GIZ project Strengthening Resilience in Dealing with Crises and Conflicts in Ninewa (SRN) and aims to empower youth (18-35 years) in five districts: Tel Afar, Mosul, Hamdaniya, Sinjar, and Tel Kaif. Implemented by Dorsch Impact and consortium partners Conflict Management Consulting (CMC) and CRISP - Conflict Transformation and Civic Education, the project trains young participants as skilled enumerators and mediators. 

The project equips youth to conduct data-driven conflict analysis and mediate small-scale community disputes. It combines formal techniques like mediation and interest-based negotiation with traditional approaches such as tribal law and elder involvement. By integrating these young mediators into broader peacebuilding activities, the project establishes a sustainable Community of Practice (CoP) for long-term conflict transformation.

Disciplines

  • Governance, Peace and Social Cohesion
  • Skills and Economic Development

Companies

Dorsch Impact GmbH

Client

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Duration

From 2022 to 2024

Location

Ninewa Governorate, Iraq

Project Activities

Capacity Development of 200 young enumerators 

  • Development of training curriculum: data collection, interviewing techniques, actors mapping, research, and basic principles of research approaches, Do-No-Harm approach, conflict- and context-sensitivity.

  • Guided data collection period. 

Capacity Development of 80 young conflict advisors 

  • Conflict analysis and conflict management. 

  • Practical experience: real-life conflict solving. 

Capacity Development of 30 young mediators 

  • Mediation in Iraq: Commonalities and differences with local conflict resolution practices. 

  • Principles of mediation/ethical self-conception. 

  • Theory and practice of different approaches. 

  • Case documentation. 

Institutionalisation of a Community of Practice 

  • Sustainable community of practice: bringing YEM and leading Iraqi and international organisations and consultancies together. 

  • Job fairs, networking platform, study trips. 

A row of young people sitting in the audience during a graduations ceremony.
YEM programme participants sitting in the audience during the graduation ceremony. (c) Dorsch Impact

Contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

We are committed to making a positive impact and supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This project contributes to the following SDGs:

Gender equality
Sustainable cities and economies

Project Images

A row of young people sitting in the audience during a graduations ceremony.
YEM programme participants sitting in the audience during the graduation ceremony. (c) Dorsch Impact
A group of young people in in a big room while participating at an interactive training session.
YEM programme participants during a training activity. (c) Dorsch Impact
The audience standing in during an official graduation ceremony.
Audience during the YEM programme graduation ceremony. (c) Dorsch Impact
Two young men filling out forms on a desk during a job fair.
YEM programme participants during a job fair. (c) Dorsch Impact
A person from the back writing on a small paper sticking on a white board.
YEM programme participant during a programme activity. (c) Dorsch Impact