Eighty youth, including internally displaced, host community members and Syrian refugees, have become Community Reporters after completing a training on broadcast and photojournalism. One third of them is comprised of females.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) created and capacitated this network of Reporters to receive feedback from the local communities with unique perspectives on the UNDP projects' activities and beyond. It is also an opportunity for the youth to learn a profession and find jobs.

The training was organized in two groups: One under Headway programme, financed by the European Union’s (EU) Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syria Crisis, the ‘Madad Fund,’ and the second under the programme Supporting Recovery and Stability in Iraq through Local Development, funded by the EU. The training took place in Erbil on 21-30 September 2019 for the first group, and on 1-5 December 2019 for the second, then continued remotely with practical field assignments until August/September 2020.

The trainees are from Basra, Dohuk, Erbil, Missan, Ninewah , Sulaimaniyah and Thi Qar. Due to the global health pandemic, it was not possible to hold a graduation ceremony to celebrate their achievement. They received their certificates electronically in early October.

Muntadhar Salem Alhoreshawi, 25, from Missan, told us: “I am excited to finally receive my certificate in broadcast journalism. It was a valuable, memorable experience during which I broadened my skill set and was able to reflect real stories of the people of my province as a community reporter and journalist.” Muntadhar has been freelance reporting for three television networks.

The trainees learned about journalism, videography and photography techniques, photo storytelling, reporting on camera, writing, editing and much more. The trainers also introduced them to the journalism ethics, human rights, gender and respective applicable laws.

“One of the most important aspects of this training was applying theoretical knowledge through field work. I can tell better stories now through my lens, angles, depth and use of light,” noted Farah Ali Abdul Jabar, 22, from Thi Qar, who received a certificate in photojournalism.

UNDP has engaged and facilitated the contracting of Community Reporters to cover above 30 activities, published their work, and continues to do so under multiple programmes. This included, in addition to Supporting Recovery and Stability and Headway, the Funding Facility for Stabilization, Social Cohesion and the Iraqi Crisis Response and Resilience programmes. The Let’s Beat Corona campaign, Headway Short Film Festival, high-level visits and signing of agreements, were among the activities they covered. Some Reporters were contracted by UN-Habitat, non-governmental organizations and local media outlets.

“I was inspired by the Community Reporters Training,” shared Bariq Fauzi Taher, 24, from Basra. His passion for reporting took him to another level, establishing a local media foundation with a group of youth. “The mission of Iraq Plus is covering news with impartiality and credibility, supporting the talents of youth and highlighting their causes.”

Other trainees took bold steps too. Rogesh Adnan Yassin, 23, a Syrian refugee living in Qushtapa camp near Erbil, said: “I created and hosted two shows for the people of the camp. First, a cultural show with infotainment, Kurdish proverbs, and prizes offered by the camp shops. Then, another show followed featuring Kurdish/Arabic terminology and translations to improve language knowledge and promote cultural understanding and integration.”

Rogesh was one of 11 refugees to be trained under Headway at the University of Kurdistan- Hawler, in Erbil. Like other Community Reporters, UNDP provided her with income opportunities and exposure through covering events. The trainees also included 10 internally displaced people, one of whom is Lina Mohammed Etewi, 23, a wife and mother of 3 children. She and her family left their hometown in Anbar due to the war against ISIL. They lived in Ninewah for a while before moving to Erbil. “I wanted the world to see the impact of war and displacement on us and our children. One of the main photo stories I worked on was the displaced children workers who sold goodies for little money to provide for their families. I am glad to have been equipped through the Community Reporters Training not only to capture the stories of suffering, but also those of hope in a better future.”

Watch the videos of the Community Reporters Training I and Training II on YouTube, and view the training photos in gallery I and gallery II on Photo Shelter.