In Abu Ghraib, where young people often face limited opportunities and exposure to instability, building resilience is essential to preventing radicalisation.
Through the EU-supported project Creative Sparks: Empowering and Increasing Youth Resilience to Radicalisation through Arts and Sports, young women are gaining the skills and confidence to become active, positive forces in their communities. The project is part of the STRIVE Global Programme, managed by Hedayah, and contributes to the EU’s broader efforts to address the root causes of violent extremism.
Turning skills into action
On 31 March 2026, participants gathered to launch the Youth Resilience Network, a platform designed to ensure that the impact of the training continues beyond the classroom.
The network allows young women to stay connected, organise activities, and support one another in promoting dialogue, inclusion, and non-violent engagement in their communities. These are key factors in reducing vulnerability to radicalisation.
The launch took place alongside a community football tournament, reflecting the project’s approach: combining discussion with shared activities that build trust, teamwork, and a sense of belonging.
A new kind of leadership
Among the participants was Wafaa Abdul Kareem, a 21-year-old computer science student. Through the project’s training and mentorship, she developed practical leadership skills, including how to facilitate discussions, manage disagreements, and encourage participation.
She was selected as a focal point for the Youth Resilience Network, a role that reflects both her commitment and her ability to bring people together.
For Wafaa, leadership is not about authority, but about trust. By encouraging others to engage and express themselves, she helps create an environment where young people feel included rather than marginalised. This sense of inclusion is a critical factor in preventing radicalisation.
Impact beyond the project
The Youth Resilience Network is more than a continuation of training. It is a mechanism for sustained community impact.
By staying active and connected, participants can organise local initiatives, promote positive alternatives to violence, and act as role models for their peers. In communities where young women’s public participation is often limited, this visibility also challenges social barriers and expands opportunities for engagement.
Why this matters
Supporting youth resilience is a key part of the EU’s foreign policy approach to preventing violent extremism. By investing in local leadership, community cohesion, and inclusive participation, the EU helps address the underlying conditions that can lead to radicalisation.
In Abu Ghraib, this approach is already taking shape.
For Wafaa and her peers, the journey does not end with training. It continues through action, as they contribute to safer, more resilient communities, on and off the field.