Funding Facility for Stabilization 

Programme Summary

In mid-2015, at the request of the Government of Iraq and with the support of the Global Coalition Against Daesh, UNDP Iraq established the Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS) to carry out stabilization activities in areas affected by the ISIL conflict.

Working in 31 locations across the five liberated governorates – Anbar, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa and Salah Al Din, and in nine major sectors – electricity, health, water, education, sewerage, livelihoods, municipalities, roads and bridges, and social cohesion, FFS focuses on rehabilitating public infrastructure and providing essential services to communities living in areas affected by the conflict. This includes the rehabilitation of schools and hospitals, water systems and electricity networks, providing short-term employment through public works schemes and rehabilitating damaged houses. It also includes activities to support governments build peaceful and cohesive communities, and building their capacity to deliver essential services to Iraqi communities.

FFS operates under the direction of the Government of Iraq, who prioritizes stabilization initiatives based on the needs of a particular location. Following this prioritization process, UNDP Iraq implements the rehabilitation work. More than 95% of this work is contracted through the local private sector which not only reduces costs, but ensures local companies rebuild their own cities with local labor. Contractors are selected through a competitive and transparent bidding process, and stringent project monitoring measures are applied to each project to ensure they meet specifications.

Through FFS, UNDP Iraq has mobilized US$1.88 billion from 29 international partners, including the Government of Iraq.

What have we achieved so far

UNDP’s Funding Facility for Stabilization has three main objectives – to facilitate the return of displaced Iraqis, to lay the groundwork for reconstruction and recovery and to safeguard communities against the resurgence of violence and extremism.

To date, the programme has:

• Supported the return of 4.93 million Iraqis displaced by the ISIL conflict.
• Completed over 2,967 projects in five governorates liberated from ISIL, improving the lives of more than 14.6 million Iraqis.
• 41,267 cash-for-work job opportunities created, boosting immediate household income.
• Rehabilitated 581 schools, 11 health facilities, 126 electricity substations and networks, 1650 water treatment plants and 28,096 houses.
• Mobilized US$1.46 billion, from 29 countries including the Government of Iraq.

Today, UNDP Iraq remains the Government of Iraq’s partner of choice to continue it stabilization work, bringing peace and stability to a country that suffered immensely under ISIL.

*as of October 2021