From Research to Reform: Youth Driving Social and Youth Policy in Kurdistan Region of Iraq (2025)

This article highlights a landmark initiative advancing youth participation in policymaking in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq through the “Mesopotamian Pulse: Youth-Driven Social Policy and Reform” project, implemented by Kurdistan Save the Children in partnership with Save the Children International and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. In December 2025, the formal launch of a Youth Advisory Forum in Erbil institutionalised youth engagement within government structures, enabling young people to actively contribute to policy review and development.

Through Participatory Action Research, 81 trained youth produced evidence-based policy papers addressing critical issues including gaps in social protection, lack of childcare services, cyber violence, and challenges faced by returning migrants. Their findings informed practical policy recommendations aimed at strengthening social systems and child protection frameworks. The initiative demonstrates how empowering youth with skills, platforms, and decision-making roles can lead to meaningful, inclusive policy reform, positioning young people as key partners in shaping sustainable social development.