March 22, 2008 
This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International 
Development. It was prepared by International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc., 
with assistance from …., Baghdad, Iraq. 
USAID COMMUNITY STABILIZATION 
PROGRAM (CSP) COUNTERINSURGENCY 
(COIN): REPORT ON EMPLOYMENT 
GENERATION AND YOUTH PROJECTS IN 
KIRKUK 
USAID COMMUNITY STABILIZATION 
PROGRAM (CSP) COUNTER INSURGENCY 
(COIN): REPORT ON EMPLOYMENT 
GENERATION AND YOUTH PROJECTS IN 
KIRKUK 
International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. 
Monitoring and Evaluation Performance Program, Phase II (MEPP II) 
8614 Westwood Center Drive 
Suite 400 
Vienna, VA 22182 
Contracted under 267-C-00-05-00508-00 
DISCLAIMER 
The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views 
of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States 
Government.
International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. 
Monitoring and Evaluation Performance Project, Phase II (MEPP II) i 
Monitoring Employment Generation and Youth Projects from the Community Stabilization Program 
Table of Contents 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................. ….1
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................................3
BACKGROUND...........................................................................................................................................3
METHODOLOGY.........................................................................................................................................4
EMPLOYMENT GENERATION/VOCATIONAL TRAINING..................................................4
PROJECT IDENTIFICATION ..........................................................................................................................4
SURVEY SUMMARY....................................................................................................................................5
Project Accomplishments and Challenges ...................................................................................... 5
Participant Interviews....................................................................................................................... 6
RECOMMENDATIONS..................................................................................................................................8
YOUTH PROJECTS ..............................................................................................................9
PROJECT IDENTIFICATION ..........................................................................................................................9
SURVEY SUMMARY....................................................................................................................................9
Project Accomplishments and Challenges ...................................................................................... 9
Participant Interviews..................................................................................................................... 10
RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION.....................................................................................................................11
ANNEX A: USAID RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE CSP EGY KIRKUK 
REPORT OF 31 OCTOBER 2007 .......................................................................................12
ANNEX B: MEPP II BACKGROUND .................................................................................15
ANNEX C: EGY SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES..................................................................17
International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. 
Monitoring and Evaluation Performance Project, Phase II (MEPP II) ii 
Monitoring Employment Generation and Youth Projects from the Community Stabilization Program 
List of Acronyms 
AC Advisory Committee
AoR Area of Responsibility (of IPs) 
CA Cooperative Agreement 
CIES Community Infrastructure and Essential Services 
CSP Community Stabilization Program 
EGY Employment Generation and Youth 
 
IBTCI International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. 
IP Implementing Partner 
IR Intermediate Result 
IRD International Relief and Development 
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation 
MEPP II Monitoring and Evaluation Performance Program, Phase II 
MOLSA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs 
N/D No Data 
PMP Performance Management Plan 
PC Provincial Council 
PRT Provincial Reconstruction Team 
RFA Request for Application 
SO Strategic Objective 
SOW Scope of Work 
TA Technical Assistance 
US United States 
USAID United States Agency for International Development 
USG United States Government 
International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. 
Monitoring and Evaluation Performance Project, Phase II (MEPP II) 
Monitoring Employment Generation and Youth Projects from the Community Stabilization Program 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
The International Relief and Development (IRD) Employment Generation and Youth (EGY) 
component of the Community Stabilization Program (CSP) implements projects to improve 
job skills, create employment and provide other opportunities for youth to participate in non￾formal educational activities. International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI) 
implements the USAID-funded Monitoring and Evaluation Performance Program, Phase II 
(MEPP II), which has been tasked to monitor USAID projects. IBTCI utilizes the 
 to supply full-time 
field monitors and regional field monitor team leaders. 
Monitoring of EGY projects in Kirkuk began in June of 2007. This was the first round of 
monitoring activities to be conducted by IBTCI of EGY activities. Projects were selected to 
ensure a 10% sample of each project category of the eleven projects that were ongoing or 
completed at the time of monitoring selection. The instrument used by the field monitors, 
initially developed by IRD for internal monitoring of EGY projects, was augmented by IBTCI 
to include several questions related to project impact. The monitoring instruments (Annex B) 
were utilized to solicit information on project accomplishments, obstacles to implementation 
and program participant perceptions of the projects’ utility and potential areas for 
improvement. 
Findings of the monitoring visits include:
¾ One vocational training project and two youth activity projects were monitored. 
¾ More than 350 participants have benefited from vocational training as a result of the 
project and sufficient training records were kept to track training figures and 
participants with accuracy. 
¾ The , as well as multiple training 
participants, identified the short duration of vocational training courses as a limiting 
factor to the overall success of the program. 
¾ All of the vocational training participants felt that the training had made a difference in 
their lives and would recommend it to others. 
¾ A total of 1,920 youth were reached by the two projects, with a great majority 
participating in the football tournament activity. 
¾ The entire youth project participants interviewed rated both the project in general and 
their participation in the project as “good”. 
The analysis of this survey has led the MEPP II team to make several recommendations for 
EGY activities: 
1. Consider extending the length of vocational training programs to ensure the training 
is of sufficient length to build marketable knowledge and skills in program 
participants. 
2. Consider extending the age range of eligible training participants to include younger 
youth who are vulnerable to the same challenges in Iraq today as older men and 
women. 
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3. Reassess the sufficiency of the VTC’s physical location for housing a valuable and 
growing project. This may entail renting additional space in the area or partnering 
with the Community Infrastructure and Essential Services (CIES) component of the 
Community Stabilization Program (CSP) to provide funding for the renovation or 
construction of an additional facility. 
4. Follow-up with the KK-EGY-009 project to ensure that toolkits are readily available 
and distributed to program participants in a timely fashion. 
5. Follow up to ensure that if inputs are required from sources other than EGY for the 
sustainability of the project, they have been provided, and if not, work with the 
grantee to find solutions. 
6. Consider providing additional inputs to the infrastructure, if needed, to increase the 
success of the project; for example, providing air conditioning in the theater to 
increase participation and attendance. 
7. Modify the monitoring instrument to improve the clarity of responses to the questions 
about current and future employment. 
8. Modify the monitoring form to ensure that participants provide explanations for all of 
their responses, whether positive or negative. 
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Monitoring Employment Generation and Youth Projects from the Community Stabilization Program 
MONITORING EMPLOYMENT GENERATION AND 
YOUTH ACTIVITIES FROM THE COMMUNITY 
STABILIZATION PROGRAM IN KIRKUK1
Introduction 
The International Relief and Development (IRD) Employment Generation and Youth (EGY) 
component of the Community Stabilization Program (CSP) funds projects designed to: 
improve the job skills of participants through vocational training, increase the availability of 
employment, and provide non-formal educational opportunities for youth through a 
comprehensive array of interventions. These include the support of vocational training 
projects in government Vocational Training Centers (VTC), the sponsorship of Youth Forums 
to increase youth activism, the promotion of theatrical productions and other artistic 
endeavors by and for youth and the support of sporting events. All of these activities are 
intended to provide opportunities to youth as an alternative to being caught up in the cycle of 
conflict and sectarianism that currently challenges Iraq. 
Background 
International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI) implements the USAID funded 
Monitoring and Evaluation Performance Program, Phase II (MEPP II). Under MEPP II, IBTCI 
has been tasked to provide field monitors to assist USAID to monitor projects it cannot 
otherwise reach. IBTCI entered into a subcontract agreement with to supply 
full-time field monitors and regional field monitor team leaders. This agreement was 
approved in March 2006. 
In November 2006, the Strategic Objective (SO) 7 team requested that IBTCI begin on-going 
monitoring of the CSP. The history of previous monitoring as well as IRD’s program may be 
found in Annex A. Monitoring results from EGY projects in Kirkuk are the subject of this 
report. The design utilized for this round of monitoring is intended to verify that projects had 
taken place and to document basic information on activity outputs, barriers to 
implementation and anecdotal views and experiences of participants. 
For this round of monitoring the IBTCI monitors met with IRD mobilizers on June 14 in 
Kirkuk. The purpose of the meeting was to: confirm a specific list of projects that were to be 
monitored; confirm what was to be determined about the projects; and to establish the lines 
of communication that will allow the field monitors to safely access the projects. IBTCI and 
IRD agreed that the monitors would follow the same procedures used for the initial 
monitoring in Baghdad. This procedure established an initial IRD point of contact (POC), as 
well as a POC from IBTCI. 
Monitoring of EGY projects in Kirkuk began on June 21, 2007. This was the first round of 
monitoring activities to be conducted by IBTCI of EGY activities. Projects were selected to 
ensure at least a 10% sample of each project category of the eleven projects that were 
ongoing or completed at the time of monitoring selection. A total of three projects were 
selected, including one vocational training project, one youth project in the theatrical arts and 
 
1
 Names of some organizations and people have been removed for security reasons. 
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one youth project sponsoring a soccer championship. Due to the small number of projects, 
the selection was not random and was accomplished through discussions between the 
monitoring team and Keeping to the schedule meant that field coordination with 
project managers and other stakeholders in the project development process needed to be 
flawless and that the visited areas were permissive at the time of the proposed visits. To 
achieve this, the field monitors remained in contact with the IRD staff as well as with 
IBTCI. 
Methodology 
The data collection instruments used by the field monitors were initially developed by IRD for 
their internal monitoring of EGY projects. IBTCI augmented these instruments to include 
questions related to project impact. The instruments were divided into two main parts 
consisting of an interview instrument with project implementers or managers and a related 
interview with project beneficiaries. 
Project managers were asked to provide monitors with project records detailing attendance 
figures and to give their perceptions on aspects of the project including the curriculum 
development process, the adequacy of the project, and perceived obstacles to project 
implementation. 
Project participants were asked similar questions for the vocational training projects. Youth 
program participants were asked to provide their general impressions about the project and 
their participation. (Annex B) IRD was tasked with working with project managers to ensure 
that a group of six participants were available on the day of the interview at the project office 
site. As a result of the non-random nature of the participant selection process and the 
relatively small number of interviewees, respondent data should be considered as anecdotal. 
Employment Generation/Vocational Training 
Project Identification 
Table 1: Monitored Projects 
Project Title IRD 
# Project Type Province 
 
 
 
 
 
KK-EGY￾009 
Vocational 
training Kirkuk 
The vocational training for unemployed youth project in Kirkuk was ongoing at the time of the 
monitoring. Beneficiaries and managers of the projects were interviewed at the project site; 
at the Kirkuk. 
Findings from the monitors’ site visit and interviews are summarized in the tables below. The 
tables are summaries of the questions asked in the field visit instruments shown in Annex B. 
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Survey Summary
Project Accomplishments and Challenges 
According to project records provided by the project coordinator and verified by the monitors, 
a total of 358 trainees had entered the project at the time of monitoring. 
Monitors verified that the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA) kept training records 
of project participants, including the names and addresses of students in the program. 
A summary of trainees by subject and training time can be found in Table 2 below. 
Table 2. Vocational Trainees by Vocation and Time of Training 
Vocation Morning Evening Other Total 
Electrical 23 22 0 45 
Welding 20 19 0 39 
Computer 25 23 0 48 
Carpentry 13 17 0 30 
Lathe 16 18 0 34 
Cars 25 21 0 46 
Plumbing 14 16 0 30 
HVAC 18 18 0 36 
Sewing 20 14 16 50 
Total 174 184 16 358 
It was reported that the curriculum for the vocational training project was originally provided 
by MOLSA and was modified by the trainers in order to “fit with the training period’. The 
 reported that he participated in the development of the curriculum. 
When asked if the vocational training program is adequate, the responded “no”. His 
comments are listed below in Table 3. 
Table 3. Comments of Project Manager on the Training Program 
Project Respondent Adequacy of Training Program 
KK-EGY-009 Training period is two months and this is not enough time to 
teach trainees. We therefore propose to lengthen the 
duration of training to at least three months. This is still 
insufficient but will serve as a quick fix to help address 
unemployment. 
The was asked to detail any obstacles facing the project. His comments are 
listed in Table 4 below. 
Table 4. Comments of Project Manager on Obstacles Facing the Project 
Project Respondent Obstacles Facing the Project 
KK-EGY-009 1. The per diems are not sufficient to meet expenses for 
transportation, forcing trainees to leave the course. 
2. Delays in the processing of training materials. 
3. Delays in the payment of allowances to trainees and 
trainers of teachers. 
4. The training center needs to be expanded because it is 
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the only center in the province, the program is growing 
quickly and we cannot absorb all of the unemployed. 
Monitors reported positively on the project and noted several of the same limitations 
identified by the . Additional comments from the monitors are detailed in 
Table 5 below. 
Table 5. Comments by Monitor on the Project 
Project Respondent Comments 
KK-EGY-009 Monitor • Applicants are limited to those born between 1977-1990. 
This deprives a considerable amount of unemployed 
people access to training and developing their abilities. 
• There is no training available for some professions 
because of the lack of buildings. The center needs to be 
expanded. 
• Delays in distribution of tool kits to graduates. 
The monitor identified an important challenge to one of the overall objectives of the project: 
creating employment for youth. By limiting admission to only those born before 1990, an 
important segment of the youth population, namely those under 17 years of age, will not 
have access to training. This may be because it is assumed youth of that age group should 
be in school. 
Participant Interviews 
A total of six current program participants were interviewed about their perceptions with the 
project. This included perceived and actual benefits, as well as project limitations and 
recommendations for improvement. IBTCI will request a larger sample size in future 
monitoring to the extent possible, without causing disruption to the students. 
Participants were first asked how they had learned about the vocational training. Four of the 
six respondents reported that they learned from friends. One indicated a professor was the 
source and the other reported that he learned about the project through ads. 
Table 6. Participant Perceptions of the Training Received 
Response Has the vocational 
training made a 
difference in your 
life? 
Was the training 
adequate? 
Would you advise 
others to join such 
training? 
Yes 6 2 6 
No 0 4 0 
Total 6 6 6 
All of the respondents reported that the training had made a difference in their lives with the 
majority commenting on the useful information they had learned during the training. Trainee 
comments on why the training had made a difference in their lives is found in Table 7 below. 
Table 7. Comments of Participants on Why the Training Had Made a Difference in 
Their Lives 
Project Respondent Comments 
KK-EGY-009 Participant 1 I gained new information. 
KK-EGY-009 Participant 2 Obtained new information that I did not know in the field of 
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establishing plastic pipes. 
KK-EGY-009 Participant 3 I learned information I did not have before based on 
science. 
KK-EGY-009 Participant 4 I learned a useful profession and can now use my free time 
more productively. 
KK-EGY-009 Participant 5 They gave me new information because I want to open a 
computer cafe. 
KK-EGY-009 Participant 6 I developed expertise in the field of maintenance. 
Four of the six interviewees found their courses to be inadequate due to the short duration of 
the training. Even among those who found the training adequate, the issue of duration was 
raised as a concern (Table 8). 
Table 8. Comments of Participants on the Adequacy of the Training 
Project Respondent Comments 
KK-EGY-009 Participant 1 If the duration of the course were extended, it would benefit 
more. 
KK-EGY-009 Participant 2 I considered it sufficient because I already had experience 
working with my father but for the rest not considered 
sufficient. 
KK-EGY-009 Participant 3 Because of the short duration of the training, I could not 
learn all aspects of the profession despite the usefulness of 
the training. 
KK-EGY-009 Participant 4 Increase the duration of the session to six months in order 
to learn a profession fully and perfect trainee skills. 
KK-EGY-009 Participant 5 Increase the duration of the training in order to obtain the 
largest possible amount of information. 
KK-EGY-009 Participant 6 Training on the one hand information is very good but the 
short-term forces professors to share less information. 
The respondents for the vocational training interviews were in the midst of their training 
courses when the surveys were completed. Two of the respondents reported that they were 
employed at the time of the interview while the other three were unemployed. There was an 
additional question about employment status after the training and the same two 
respondents that reported they were currently employed indicated that they would be 
“workers in sanitary equipments” after the training. It is not clear if their responses were 
based in fact, such as job placement with the apprenticeship program or another project, or 
if this is the respondents’ goal. The unemployed interviewees indicated “unemployed” for 
employment status after the training. Responses were not provided for one respondent so 
the totals do not add up to six. 
Table 9. Participant Employment Status
Response What is your 
employment status 
currently? 
What will your 
employment status 
be after the 
vocational training? 
Employed 2 2 
Unemployed 3 3 
N/D 1 1 
Total 5 5 
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None of the six interviewees had received their toolkits at the time of the monitoring (Table 
10). Monitors were not tasked with exploring the reasons for the lack of toolkits among 
respondents. The lack of toolkits may be due to delays in assembling the tool kits mentioned 
by the monitor above or due to a project policy of distributing tool kits after completion of the 
training. As a result, the interviews provide no information of the utility of the toolkits to 
graduates of the courses. 
Table 10. Participants Experience with Toolkits 
Response Have you received 
the toolkit? 
Does this toolkit 
cover your work 
needs? 
Have you ever used 
this toolkit to source 
income for your 
living? 
Yes 0 0 0 
No 6 0 0 
N/A 0 6 6 
Total 6 6 6 
Recommendations 
The analysis of this survey has led the MEPP II team to make several recommendations for 
the Vocational Training component of EGY activities: 
1. Consider extending the length of vocational training programs to ensure that the 
training is of sufficient length to build truly marketable knowledge and skills in 
program participants. 
2. Consider extending the age range of eligible training participants to include younger 
youth who are vulnerable to the same challenges in Iraq today as older men and 
women. 
3. Reassess the sufficiency of the VTC’s physical location for housing a valuable and 
growing project. This may entail considering renting additional space in the area or 
redirecting CIES funding to renovation or construction for this purpose. 
4. Follow-up with the KK-EGY-009 project to ensure that toolkits are readily available 
and distributed to program participants as per program guidelines. 
5. Modify the monitoring instrument to improve the clarity of responses to the questions 
about current and future employment. 
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Youth Projects 
Project Identification 
Table 11. Monitored Projects 
Project Title IRD 
# 
Project 
Type Province 
 
 
 
KK-EGY￾008 Youth Kirkuk 
 KK-EGY￾109 Youth Kirkuk 
KK-EGY-008 had been completed at the time of monitoring while KK-EGY-109 was still in 
the implementation stage. 
Findings from the monitors’ site visits and interviews are summarized in the tables below. 
The tables are summaries of the questions asked in the field visit instruments shown in 
Annex B. 
Survey Summary 
Project Accomplishments and Challenges 
A total of 1920 youth participated in the activities in both projects with a total of seven youths 
receiving employment. The project breakdown is detailed in Table 12 below. 
Table 12. Participation and Employment Statistics 
Project Number of Youth 
Participants 
Number of Youth 
Gaining 
Employment 
 
Championship 1,854 0 
 
Festival 66 7 
Total 1,920 7 
Monitors found that both projects keep records of participants. 
Project managers identified several obstacles for their projects detailed below in Table 13. 
IBTCI followed up with IRD program staff to understand the issues raised by the Manager 
Assistant for the soccer activity concerning ownership of the fields used for soccer matches 
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in the area. IRD clarified that this was not an actual obstacle to the project, as this 
tournament did not use any fields that were privately held. In addition, IRD pointed out that 
even private facilities, which are often artificial turf, are available for rent at nominal fees. 
Table 13. Comments of Project Manager on Obstacles Facing the Project 
Project Respondent Obstacles Facing the Project 
KK-EGY-008 The playing fields and youth centers in the provinces 
controlled by political parties and other organizations. Not 
one Youth Center was controlled by the Directorate of Youth 
and these other organizations considered the squares 
belonging to them and not to the Directorate. 
KK-EGY-109 Theater halls are not supplied with air conditioners or the air
conditionings are not so good, this will effect the successful 
of theatrical work because the number of audience 
members will be low. 
The monitors’ comments are presented in Table 14 below. 
Table 14. Comments on the Success of f Monitor on the Project 
Project Respondent Obstacles Facing the Project 
KK-EGY-008 The championship held for the teams was popular and 
these activities gave a sense of motivation and interest 
among youth by the Directorates of Youth. In addition, this 
activity was a unified and positive effort as the Directorate 
was able to put their name on an activity across many 
different facilities and locations. 
KK-EGY-109 The work is good. The persons doing theatrical work are 
mainly students and this activity will enhance them and put 
them on the right way. The arts institute supervised the work 
and the academic work needs support. IRD supported them 
through supplying them with materials required for theatrical 
display. 
These comments indicate that the projects are being implemented successfully and 
according to the goals of the program. 
Participant Interviews 
Prior to the monitoring visits, IBTCI requested that past program participants be made 
available to be interviewed. The head of the program was able to find seven participants, 
whose comments are noted below. It should be noted that these participants were not 
randomly selected, as IBTCI does not have access to participant information. In the future, 
we will request a larger sample be produced, if possible. Program participants were 
interviewed about their experience with the project, including perceived and actual benefits, 
as well as project limitations and recommendations for improvement. 
Internatio
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Table 15. Participants’ General Evaluation of the Activity 
What is the youth’s general evaluation about the 
activity? 
Project Good Fair Poor Total 
Kirkuk Football 
Championship 3 0 0 3 
Kirkuk Theater 
Festival 4 0 0 4 
Total 7 0 0 7 
All participants interviewed by the monitors rated their participation or input into activities as 
“good.” No detail was provided by the respondents supporting their responses. The 
monitoring form should be modified to indicate that respondents should provide comments to 
support their ratings
Table 16. Participant’s General Evaluation of Their Participation in the Activity 
What is the your general evaluation about your 
participation/input in this activity? 
Project Good Fair Poor Total 
Kirkuk Football 
Championship 3 0 0 3 
Kirkuk Theater 
Festival 4 0 0 4 
Total 7 0 0 7 
Recommendations 
The analysis of this survey has led the MEPP II team to make two recommendations for the 
Youth activities of the EGY program: 
1. Ensure that the supplies necessary to successfully sustain these types of 
programs are provided – either with EGY program funds or from other sources 
(Sports Directorate, local council, private donations etc). 
2. Consider the availability of facilitating infrastructure, such as the air conditioners 
in the theater or available pitches for football, and consider supporting 
infrastructure improvements with additional project funds if this is not already 
project practice. 
3. Modify the monitoring form to ensure that participants provide explanations for all 
of their responses, whether positive or negative. 
Conclusion 
While this program is just starting in Kirkuk, it is clear that for these projects, the EGY has 
delivered promised activities designed to meet project objectives. The MEPP II project will 
redesign and augment existing monitoring instruments for CSP monitoring assessments. 
These changes will improve the utility of the monitoring results and help document additional 
progress against the specific goals of individual projects as well as the overall goals of 
IRD/CSP as detailed in the Intermediate Results and Strategic Objectives of the projects 
PMP. 
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Annex A: USAID Response to Recommendations in the CSP EGY Kirkuk Report of 31 October 2007 
Note: IRD sent its responses (incorporated below) in an email sent 27 February 2008. 
Recommendations: IRD Response: USAID Response and 
Action 
Timeline: Follow-Up: 
1 Consider extending the length of 
vocational training programs to 
ensure the training is of sufficient 
length to build marketable 
knowledge and skills in program 
participants.
A longer curriculum will be 
implemented so that many 
classes will be four months long 
instead of two. 
No action needed. None No follow-up needed. 
2 Consider extending the age range 
of eligible training participants to 
include younger youth who are 
vulnerable to the same challenges 
in Iraq today as older men and 
women. 
The current targeted age range is 
17 to 30 years; the age range is 
in keeping with the target group 
of CSP (i.e. 17 – 25 year old 
Males). According to normal 
practice (and presumably 
USAID regulations) youths 
under 17 are classed as minors 
and can not be placed into 
employment post-graduation.
USAID will be working with IRD 
during the revision of the program 
description and CoAg 
modification process and will be 
considering targeting some CSP 
activities to youth below 17-
years-old. Ensuring that women 
(not just men) are beneficiaries 
CSP activities will also be 
stressed during the revision 
process. 
The next CoAg 
modification with 
revised program 
description is expected 
to culminate in or 
around June ’08. 
USAID’s letter to IRD 
suggesting certain minor 
program changes includes 
looking at the CSP 
beneficiary to consider 
youth below age 17 and to 
ensure that women are 
part of CSP activities. 
3 Reassess the sufficiency of the 
VTC’s physical location for 
housing a valuable and growing 
project. This may entail renting 
additional space in the area or 
partnering with the Community 
Infrastructure and Essential 
Services (CIES) component of the 
Community Stabilization Program 
(CSP) to provide funding for the 
IRD CSP Kirkuk has already 
expanded vocational training to 3 
additional centers in phase 3. To 
increase capacity 14 centers have 
been identified for vocational 
training in phase 4, more than 
covering the needs 
geographically.
No action needed. None No follow-up needed. 
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Monitoring Employment Generation and Youth Projects from the Community Stabilization Program 
Recommendations: IRD Response: USAID Response and 
Action 
Timeline: Follow-Up: 
renovation or construction of an 
additional facility. 
4 Follow-up with the KK-EGY-009 
project to ensure that toolkits are 
readily available and distributed to 
program participants in a timely 
fashion. 
Subsequent toolkit distributions 
(along with endorsed certificate) 
have been conducted at well 
organized graduation ceremonies 
shortly after the conclusion of the 
VOC ED course. 
No action needed. None No follow-up needed. 
5 Follow up to ensure that if inputs 
are required from sources other 
than EGY for the sustainability of 
the project, they have been 
provided, and if not, work with 
the grantee to find solutions. 
I am unclear as to why the term 
‘grantee’ is used, as this is a 
term we use for MSME grant 
applicants. 
USAID understands this 
recommendation to mean that if 
an EGY project needs additional 
assistance, to repair a soccer field, 
for example, then CSP should find 
a solution to create a sustainable 
activity. 
USAID does not 
believe follow-up is 
needed here since CSP 
has been doing a very 
good job and linking 
resources from other 
CSP activities or 
USAID projects. 
No follow-up needed. 
6 Consider providing additional 
inputs to the infrastructure, if 
needed, to increase the success of 
the project; for example, 
providing air conditioning in the 
theater to increase participation 
and attendance. 
IRD CSP Kirkuk has provided all 
essential infrastructure to the 
MoLSA vocational training center 
and MoE vocational schools, in 
order for the courses to be run in 
satisfactory conditions for the 
students. It is not a practical 
suggestion to mount air 
conditioning units in the spacious 
vocational training classrooms.
No action needed. None No follow-up needed. 
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Monitoring Employment Generation and Youth Projects from the Community Stabilization Program 
Recommendations: IRD Response: USAID Response and 
Action 
Timeline: Follow-Up: 
7 Modify the monitoring instrument 
to improve the clarity of responses 
to the questions about current and 
future employment. 
Suggest that in future surveys 
IBTCI interview more than 1.7% 
of the VOC ED graduates as this 
may give a better indication of 
current and future employment 
aspirations of the group. 
During the M & E revision 
process, USAID will consider 
conducting an in-depth analysis 
through a special research activity 
to better track the efficacy of the 
votech activities, including the 
apprenticeship program and job 
placement. 
USAID and IRD agreed 
during the M & E 
revision process in 
March ’08 to conduct a 
special research activity 
to take a closer look at 
the apprenticeship 
program. 
USAID will draft a 
statement of work to 
capture this research 
activity and propose it to 
IBTCI for 
implementation. The 
SOW is expected to be 
drafted some time in 
April ’08. 
8 Modify the monitoring form to 
ensure that participants provide 
explanations for all of their 
responses, whether positive or 
negative. 
Monitoring and Evaluation unit 
has taken note of the 
recommendation and will explore 
modifying the form accordingly.
During the M & E revision 
process, USAID will consider 
conducting an in-depth analysis 
through a special research activity 
to better track the efficacy of the 
votech activities, including the 
apprenticeship program and job 
placement.
As part of the special 
research activity 
looking at the 
apprenticeship 
program, the 
monitoring forms will 
be considered and 
amended if needed. 
USAID will draft a 
statement of work to 
capture this research 
activity and propose it to 
IBTCI for 
implementation. The 
SOW is expected to be 
drafted some time in 
April ’08. 
Internatio
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Annex B: MEPP II Background 
Background of the CSP and the MEPP II monitoring effort: 
The United States is committed to the future success of Iraq. Within USAID/Iraq’s Transition 
Strategic Plan 2006-2008, the first of four strategies delineated is “Focused Stabilization: 
Reduce the incentives for participation in violent conflict.” This is the primary objective of the 
renamed Community Stabilization Program (CSP). To help plan and manage the process of 
assessing and reporting progress towards achieving its strategic objectives (SO), 
USAID/Iraq (hereinafter the “Mission”) made final its Performance Management Plan (PMP) 
in August 2006. In the PMP document, consistent with earlier Mission objectives, the 
strategy to reduce the incentives for participation in violent conflict is identified as Strategic 
Objective 7 (SO 7). 
The CSP is seen as a key element to transition Iraq to a stable, democratic and prosperous 
country. Towards this end, Request for Application (RFA) number 267-06-001 was issued on 
2 January 2006 seeking applicants to implement the “Focused Stabilization in Strategic 
Cities Initiative” (FSSCI). International Relief and Development (IRD) was awarded the 
Cooperative Agreement (267-A-00-06-00503-00) on 29 May 2006. As defined in the 
Cooperative Agreement “Program Description”, the purpose of FSSCI (now the CSP) is to 
“complement military security efforts, and civilian local government development, with 
economic and social stabilization efforts. The objectives of CSP are to: 1) create jobs and 
develop employable skills with a focus on unemployed youth; 2) revitalize community 
infrastructure and essential services; 3) support established businesses and develop new 
sustainable businesses; and 4) help mitigate conflict in selected communities.” These four 
objectives were later modified (see Modification 03 below) to: 1) Public works programs and 
employment generation; 2) vocational training and apprenticeship programs; 3) Micro, 
Small-Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development program; and 4) Youth Programs (conflict 
mitigation). 
By carrying out these activities the CSP implementing partner should achieve measurable 
progress towards the Mission’s SO 7. The Mission PMP and the CSP PMP identify the 
measurable indicators that will evidence the achievement of the SO. The Intermediate 
Result (IR) in the Mission PMP is to show the “number of insurgent incidents decreased.” 
While the CSP program was started in Baghdad with primarily Community Infrastructure and 
Essential Services (CIES) projects, it has now expanded both geographically as well as 
sectorally to address the four key objectives stated in the Scope of Work. IRD is focusing on 
neighborhoods and districts in cities and peri-urban areas identified by the USG and GOI as 
areas with the greatest need. 
On 19 November 2006, IBTCI was notified by the CTO about “ideas for field surveys.” 
Among these ideas was the use of IBTCI monitors to confirm and validate projects that had 
been initiated through IRD by the CSP program. That initial monitoring proved successful, 
and has led to this follow-on effort that continues to monitor the rapidly expanding number of 
CSP projects. The specific assignment was to use the field monitors to examine CIES 
projects to: 
a) Confirm location and status of on-going projects and activities, and provide the 
required evidence of their existence; 
b) Assess that progress is in fact being accomplished in a satisfactory manner in terms 
of the implementation of projects and/or activities; 
c) Identify any problems or obstacles encountered during implementation, and provide 
recommendations for improvement; 
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d) Assess the quality of projects, activities or services to be provided in relation to 
required specifications and standards; 
e) Assess community participation and/or level of customer satisfaction of projects and 
activities, as well as services provided (i.e. training); 
f) Assess if projects are being used for their intended purpose when completed, and of 
their continuation after the conclusion of program support; and 
g) Assess participation and coordination of CSP with local governments, communities, 
and with other U.S. government agencies. 
The first report submitted by IBTCI in December 2006 covered only the CIES projects being 
implemented in Baghdad. Since that time, other sectors as well as geographical locations 
have been added and as a result, IBTCI has undertaken to enlarge the scope of the 
monitoring to include Business Development and Economic Growth for Youth Projects. 
Monitoring is on-going in Baghdad, Kirkuk, Mosel and is set to begin in Anbar. 
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Annex C: EGY Survey Questionnaires 
Youth Activity Projects
Monitoring Form 
1- Project Code: 
2- Project Title: 
3- Governorate: 
4- District; 
5- Sub-district (s) involved; 
6- Mahalla (s) involved; 
7- Title & name of respondent; 
8- Name of Project implementer: 
9- Nature of Youth Activity; 
10-Project Start date; / / 
11-Project Duration / days; 
12-Monitoring Visit date; / / 
13-Number of youth participating in Activity; 
14-Number of youth gaining employment in the project; 
15-Number of youth interviewed; 
16- Does the project implementer keep any records? Yes……….., No………… 
Please specify kind of records (attach copies if possible)
17- What kind of obstacles is facing the project? 
a. 
b. 
c. 
18- monitor comments: 
Monitor name; Mobilizer name; 
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Youth interviews
19- Number of youth interviewed;....... 
Title & name of 1st interviewed;…………………… 
¾ What is your ’ General evaluation about: the activity? 
 Good……………., Fair………….., Poor ………...(if poor describe why) 
¾ What is your ‘General evaluation about your participation/input in this activity? 
 Good ……………, Fair………….., Poor…………(if poor, describe why) 
Title & name of 2nd interviewed;…………………… 
¾ What is your ’ General evaluation about: the activity? 
 Good……………., Fair………….., Poor ………...(if poor describe why) 
¾ What is your ‘General evaluation about your participation/input in this activity? 
 Good ……………, Fair………….., Poor…………(if poor, describe why) 
Title & name of 3rd interviewed;………………….. 
¾ What is your ’ General evaluation about: the activity? 
 Good……………., Fair………….., Poor ………...(if poor describe why) 
¾ What is your ‘General evaluation about your participation/input in this activity? 
 Good ……………, Fair………….., Poor…………(if poor, describe why) 
Title & name of 4th interviewed;…………………. 
¾ What is your ’ General evaluation about: the activity? 
 Good……………., Fair………….., Poor ………...(if poor describe why) 
¾ What is your ‘General evaluation about your participation/input in this activity? 
 Good ……………, Fair………….., Poor…………(if poor, describe why) 
Title & name of 5th interviewed;………………… 
¾ What is your ’ General evaluation about: the activity? 
 Good……………., Fair………….., Poor ………...(if poor describe why) 
¾ What is your ‘General evaluation about your participation/input in this activity? 
 Good ……………, Fair………….., Poor…………(if poor, describe why) 
Title & name of 6th interviewed;………………. 
¾ What is your ’ General evaluation about: the activity? 
 Good……………., Fair………….., Poor ………...(if poor describe why) 
¾ What is your ‘General evaluation about your participation/input in this activity? 
 Good ……………, Fair………….., Poor…………(if poor, describe why) 
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Vocational Training Projects 
Monitoring Instrument 
1- Project Code: 
2- Project Title: 
3- Governorate: 
4- District; : 
5- Sub-district and/or Neighborhood: 
6- Mahalla; 
7- Type of Project; Vocational training.
8 –Name of Project implementer: 
9- Nature of vocational training;
10- Project Start date; 
11- Project end date 
12- Name of visited training center.
13- Monitoring Visit date; 
Training Centre Respondent Questions
Title & name of respondent;............................................................. 
14- Number of present trainees; ........ 
a. Who developed the curriculum for this V/training?........................... 
b. Did you participate in the curriculum developing?....Yes......, No...... 
c. Do you think this v/training program is adequate?...Yes......, No...... (if not what can 
help),
 ........................................................................................................... 
15- Does MOLSA keep training records? Yes……….., No………… 
Please specify kind of records (attach copies if possible) 
16- What kind of obstacles is facing the project? 
a. 
b. 
c. 
17- Monitor comments: 
Monitor name; Mobilizer name; 
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Trainees Interviews
18- Number of Trainees interviewed; .......
Title & name of 1st interviewed;............................................................................. 
¾ How did you know about this v/training?................................................... 
¾ Why you have joined V/training?............................................................... 
¾ Has the v/training made a difference in your life?...Yes.....(explain), No.....(explain) 
 ................................................................................................................... 
¾ Was the training you received adequate?.....yes......, no.....(what additional can help)? 
 .................................................................................................................... 
¾ Would you advise others to join such v/training?.....Yes..............., No.....(explain) 
 .......................................................................................................................................... 
¾ What is your employment status; 
 Now;........................., After the V/training;.................... 
Did the trainees receive toolkits?...Yes........, No....... 
¾ Does this toolkit covers your work need? ...Yes........, No....... 
¾ Did you ever used this toolkit to source income for your living? ...Yes........, No....... 
Title & name of 2nd interviewed;............................................................................. 
¾ How did you know about this v/training?................................................... 
¾ Why you have joined V/training?............................................................... 
¾ Has the v/training made a difference in your life?...Yes.....(explain), No.....(explain) 
 ................................................................................................................... 
¾ Was the training you received adequate?.....yes......, no.....(what additional can help)? 
 .................................................................................................................... 
¾ Would you advise others to join such v/training?.....Yes..............., No.....(explain) 
 .......................................................................................................................................... 
¾ What is your employment status; 
 Now;........................., After the V/training;.................... 
Did the trainees receive toolkits? ...Yes........, No....... 
¾ Does this toolkit covers your work need? ...Yes........, No....... 
¾ Did you ever used this toolkit to source income for your living? ...Yes........, No....... 
Title & name of 3rd interviewed;............................................................................. 
¾ How did you know about this v/training?................................................... 
¾ Why you have joined V/training?............................................................... 
¾ Has the v/training made a difference in your life?...Yes.....(explain), No.....(explain) 
 ................................................................................................................... 
¾ Was the training you received adequate?.....yes......, no.....(what additional can help)? 
 .................................................................................................................... 
¾ Would you advise others to join such v/training?.....Yes..............., No.....(explain) 
 .......................................................................................................................................... 
¾ What is your employment status; 
 Now;........................., After the V/training;.................... 
Did the trainees receive toolkits? ...Yes........, No....... 
¾ Does this toolkit covers your work need? ...Yes........, No....... 
¾ Did you ever used this toolkit to source income for your living? ...Yes........, No....... 
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Title & name of 4th interviewed;............................................................................. 
¾ How did you know about this v/training?................................................... 
¾ Why you have joined V/training?............................................................... 
¾ Has the v/training made a difference in your life?...Yes.....(explain), No.....(explain) 
 ................................................................................................................... 
¾ Was the training you received adequate?.....yes......, no.....(what additional can help)? 
 .................................................................................................................... 
¾ Would you advise others to join such v/training?.....Yes..............., No.....(explain) 
 .......................................................................................................................................... 
¾ What is your employment status; 
 Now;........................., After the V/training;.................... 
Did the trainees receive toolkits? ...Yes........, No....... 
¾ Does this toolkit covers your work need? ...Yes........, No....... 
¾ Did you ever used this toolkit to source income for your living? ...Yes........, No....... 
Title & name of 5th interviewed;............................................................................. 
¾ How did you know about this v/training?................................................... 
¾ Why you have joined V/training?............................................................... 
¾ Has the v/training made a difference in your life?...Yes.....(explain), No.....(explain) 
 ................................................................................................................... 
¾ Was the training you received adequate?.....yes......, no.....(what additional can help)? 
 .................................................................................................................... 
¾ Would you advise others to join such v/training?.....Yes..............., No.....(explain) 
 .......................................................................................................................................... 
¾ What is your employment status; 
 Now;........................., After the V/training;.................... 
Did the trainees receive toolkits? ...Yes........, No....... 
¾ Does this toolkit covers your work need? ...Yes........, No....... 
¾ Did you ever used this toolkit to source income for your living? ...Yes........, No....... 
Title & name of 6th interviewed;............................................................................. 
¾ How did you know about this v/training?................................................... 
¾ Why you have joined V/training?............................................................... 
¾ Has the v/training made a difference in your life?...Yes.....(explain), No.....(explain) 
 ................................................................................................................... 
¾ Was the training you received adequate?.....yes......, no.....(what additional can help)? 
 .................................................................................................................... 
¾ Would you advise others to join such v/training?.....Yes..............., No.....(explain) 
 .......................................................................................................................................... 
¾ What is your employment status; 
 Now;........................., After the V/training;.................... 
Did the trainees receive toolkits? ...Yes........, No....... 
¾ Does this toolkit covers your work need? ...Yes........, No....... 
¾ Did you ever used this toolkit to source income for your living? ...Yes........, No....... 
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Annex C: EGY Survey Questionnaires 
(Redacted) 
Monitoring Employment Generation and Youth Projects from the Community Stabilization Program