The first edition of the Iraq leadership Fellows (ILF) newsletter highlights the stories, voices and vision of the program's participants from the program's very beginning to 2025. Funded by DT Institute and founded in 2017, ILF has equipped 350+ young Iraqis with leadership skills to navigate challenges and contribute in various fields. Young Iraqis, from Basra in the south to Duhok in the north, are working in contexts shaped by real social, political and environmental strain. Leadership here is carried out under pressure, often with limited support. Now in its ninth year, the (ILF) is designed with that reality in mind.
ILF reshaped how I understand leadership-not as a stereotype, but as a set of skills I can apply and pass on to my team.
The program equips Iraqis aged 25-35 with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to take on leadership roles across the country. Each year, between 30 and 50 fellows are divided into two groups to receive focused training through social and policy classes delivered via in-person workshops. What truly distinguishes ILF is its lasting impact. With a growing network of 350+ alumni, the program has built a vibrant community of changemakers who continue to collaborate, advocate, and contribute to Iraq’s future long after the Fellows has concluded.
Both DT and IRIS have maintained their responsibility to ensure this alumni network continues engaging through a combination of online activities and in-person events, ensuring sustained connection, learning, and collective action. In 2025, fellows from 12 governorates joined the ILF program. They brought a wide range of experiences, alongside a seriousness and level of engagement that was evident throughout.
Having participated in many local and international prpgrams, I can confidently say that ILF stands out for its exceptional teaching materials and innovative learning approach.
This newsletter reflects their time together. It captures the conversations that mattered, the challenges they navigated, and the work they are beginning to take forward. It offers a sense of a network that is forming, and the kinds of leadership it is starting to sustain.
Click here or the photo below for the the first newsletter edition.
