The “Resilience and Social Cohesion Programme (RSCP) - Strengthening the resilience of host communities and Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq (Kurdistan)” is a regional Programme funded by the European Union Trust Fund “MADAD” and implemented by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the French Development Agency (AFD) with a total budget of EUR 22,045,500. The component implemented by the Italian Cooperation has a total allocation of EUR 12,595,500. It aims at improving the coverage and quality of basic social services provided to the most vulnerable host communities affected by the influx of Syrian refugees, as well as to the Syrian refugees (and IDPs in Iraqi Kurdistan), while empowering local communities socially and economically and decreasing inter and intra-community tensions. Moreover, in line with national priorities (crisis response plans), it aims at building the capacities of national institutions, both at central and local levels, and at strengthening the role of the civil society (NGOs and CSOs), providing effective instruments to enable the development of medium and long-term sustainable delivery solutions.

In October 2021, the European Union Regional Trust Fund and AICS, together with the Directorate of Municipalities in Sulaymaniyah, have completed the rehabilitation and the paving of roads and streets in different neighborhoods of the villages of Arbat and Said Sadeq.

The intervention has provided better road access and connected basic services to approximately 60,000 persons. 216 beneficiaries (204 men and 12 women) have benefitted from job opportunities provided by the project for a total of 5,939 working days. 39.8% from the host communities, 30.1% from Iraqi IDPs, and 30.1% from Syrian refugees.

Each beneficiary has been remunerated with an average salary of EUR 578 for 28 days of work.