Within the framework of the I-ACT initiative (Italy–IRENA Action for Climate Toolkit), a peer-to-peer training session dedicated to climate change and the energy transition was held in Baghdad on 21 December 2025.
The workshop was designed and delivered by two young Iraqi women, beneficiaries of the I-ACT training programme, who acted as peer educators. Using the educational materials and toolkit developed under the programme, they facilitated an interactive session with young participants from various universities, organizations, and academic backgrounds, united by a shared interest in climate change, renewable energy, and sustainable development.
Discussions focused on how climate change is already affecting the Iraqi context including longer and hotter summers, irregular rainfall, water scarcity, and increasingly frequent dust storms and on the consequences for communities, farmers, and particularly for young people shaping their future. Participants were encouraged to relate global climate concepts to local realities and to identify concrete actions to be implemented within their universities, municipalities, and governorates.
The initiative reaffirmed the central role of Iraqi youth in climate action and highlighted the value of creative spaces such as Makers of Baghdad, which hosted the event, as platforms connecting local communities with international experience.
The Embassy of Italy will continue to cooperate with IRENA, local partners, and youth-led initiatives to support similar activities aimed at promoting climate awareness, resilience, and new opportunities for young people in Iraq.
