Volunteerism in Kurdistan: Years of Silent Service and a Call for Reform
In the face of growing unemployment and a lack of legal protections, young volunteers in the Kurdistan Region are calling for change. Through the “Work for Work” campaign, youth campaigners are advocating for a volunteerism law that ensures recognition, fairness, and a clearer path to employment.
A Generation Volunteering in Silence
In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, many young people begin volunteering during their university years and continue after graduation—motivated by a desire to give back to their communities and gain meaningful skills. Amid an ongoing financial crisis and limited job opportunities, thousands of recent graduates have turned to unpaid roles in government institutions and public departments. These roles often demand the same level of commitment and responsibility as formal employment, yet offer no contracts, recognition, or compensation.
Initially, many volunteers hoped that their service would eventually lead to official employment. However, this expectation has rarely materialised. As time passes, these hopes have faded, and the absence of legal recognition or basic rights has left many young people disillusioned and uncertain about their futures.
While volunteerism is typically rooted in the principle of selfless contribution, in the context of the Kurdistan Region it has increasingly been promoted as a pathway to employment—one that often leads to disappointment rather than opportunity.
Youth Take the Lead for Legal Reform
Recognising the seriousness of this issue, the campaigners of the “Work for Work” campaign—implemented under the Networks of Change II programme in partnership with the Civil Development Organisation (CDO)—placed volunteerism at the heart of their advocacy. During their campaign design bootcamp, they identified it as one of the most pressing challenges facing youth today.
To gain a clearer understanding of volunteers’ experiences, the campaigners held focus group discussions in Halabja, Ranya, and Chamchamal. These sessions engaged directly with youth volunteers to hear their concerns, expectations, and suggestions. What emerged was a shared sense of frustration alongside a strong desire for systemic change and legal protection.
From Grassroots to Parliament
Following these discussions, the campaigners conducted further research and consulted with relevant government departments. As a result, they drafted a preliminary version of a volunteerism bill—a pioneering step towards ensuring basic rights and formal recognition for unpaid volunteers working in the public sector. The draft includes recommendations for formally acknowledging volunteer work, defining volunteering timeframes, and ensuring fair treatment, including consideration for future employment opportunities.
As part of their advocacy efforts, campaigners recently met with advisors from the Kurdistan Parliament and members of the Iraqi Parliament to present the draft and explore possible next steps. Although the Kurdistan Parliament is currently inactive due to political circumstances, the advisors expressed strong support and a willingness to assist in developing the draft into a formal legal proposal.
Currently, SPARK and CDO, in collaboration with the campaigners, are working on refining and formalising the bill. The goal is to present a comprehensive and well-structured legislative proposal that can be officially submitted and supported once the political climate allows.
This initiative reflects the campaigners’ deep commitment to sustainable, youth-led impact. Their efforts not only bring attention to the challenges faced by volunteers but also show how young people can actively shape policy and drive meaningful reform in Kurdistan’s employment landscape.
