The Iraq Knowledge Network (IKN) project aims to conduct a representational survey of Iraqi society in all 18 governorates in Iraq and analyze the results in a timely manner so they can be used by the international community and local actors to respond quickly and effectively to the changing humanitarian needs inside Iraq.

Surveys are carried out quarterly, and reports will be disseminated within one month of survey-taking. It will utilize human resources already working on the ground in Iraq and will rely on local community members and Iraqi experts both to collect and analyze data.

The direct beneficiaries will be United Nations agencies who gain access to current and reliable information that can be used to make informed decisions on humanitarian and development issues inside Iraq. Implementing partners and the wider international community will also benefit from this information, using it to strengthen programme design and emergency activities.

However, the largest number of beneficiaries will be the recipients of international assistance, namely the citizens of Iraq. This project will employ Iraqis to rapidly collect and analyze data that will ultimately be used to improve the assistance aimed and improving their communities and society.

Objectives

1. To collect, analyze and share up-to-date, reliable and standardized data with appropriate organizations and agencies. Indicator: Survey results are analyzed and shared with UN agencies. Impact: Agencies obtain more up-to-date information on a large portion of Iraqi society on which to base humanitarian programmatic decisions.

2. To collaborate with universities inside Iraq to analyze data and to increase their capacity to implement further studies. Indicator: Academics participate in activities to analyze survey data with project team. Impact: Universities will be more capable to implement further large-scale surveys in the future.

3. To pilot a larger data collection program in Iraq and transfer knowledge on lessons learned and best practices for future programming. Indicator: A summary of lessons learned and best practices will be created. Impact: Future data collection will operate more effectively and efficiently.