2025-11-05T11:44:05-05:00 2024-12-31 474306215 Mullins PC 7625 Wisconsin Avenue Bethesda MD 20814 990 2024-01-01 522223500 Education for Peace in Iraq Center % Erik Gustafson EDUC 2026709093 1140 3rd Street NE 2nd Floor Washington DC 20002 ERIK GUSTAFSON Executive Director 2026709093 2025-11-05 true true JOHN MULLINS P01429307 2027706371 2025-11-05 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Enabling Peace in Iraq Center Erik Gustafson 1140 3rd Street NE 2nd Floor Washington DC 20002 277514 false X www.epic-usa.org X 1999 DC To act as a rights-based development organization focused on climate and the environment, good governance, and human security in Iraq through groundbreaking field work, research, policy analysis, and advocacy. 9 9 2 75 0 0 290738 277414 1100 100 24483 0 0 316321 277514 0 0 250674 207846 0 15467 92792 46935 343466 254781 -27145 22733 9214 35519 39002 42574 -29788 -7055 To act as a rights-based development organization focused on climate and the environment, good governance, and human security in Iraq through groundbreaking field work, research, policy analysis, and advocacy. false false 103093 RESEARCH & EDUCATION PROGRAM: Conducted Groundbreaking Research and Expanded Public Educational outreach: In 2024, EPIC strengthened its role as a leading source of independent analysis and education on Iraq, providing critical insights into the countrys evolving political, humanitarian, and economic landscape. // EPICs flagship publication, the Iraq Security and Humanitarian Monitor (ISHM), marked its tenth anniversary by producing 46 weekly editions. This vital service provided timely, reliable analysis to a global audience of policymakers, journalists, and researchers. Complementing this work, we launched a regular YouTube series Iraq Briefings, which distilled complex developments into clear, concise updates on key issues, significantly enhancing public accessibility. EPIC was also commissioned by its longtime partner, the Iraq Health Access Organization (IHAO), with support from Lithuania Aid, to conduct targeted research on youth unemployment through vocational education reform. The resulting Generation: NEXT study involved comprehensive field research, including key informant interviews and site visits to assess vocational systems in Baghdad and Mosul. The research identified critical gaps in infrastructure, curriculum, and training capacity, providing partners with actionable insights to modernize vocational training and align it with Iraqs job market, thereby addressing key economic drivers of instability and youth emigration. // Through these combined efforts, EPIC effectively bridged the gap between on-the-ground realities and the information needed by the international community to support a stable and prosperous Iraq. 80304 FIELD-BASED PROJECTS: Empowering Youth-Led Advocacy in Ninewa and Sinjar: In 2024, EPICs field office advanced a strategic initiative to equip a new generation of young activists with the skills to drive community-level change in Iraqs complex post-conflict landscape. Building on a foundation of previous training, the program, The Campaign for Better Governance and Public Safety in Sinjar and the Ninewa Plain, moved from capacity-building to direct, campaign-based advocacy. // A cohort of seven young leadersincluding EPIC alumni and new participants from Mosul, Sinjar, Al-Hamdaniyah, and a camp for displaced Yazidisformed five advocacy teams to address critical issues hindering recovery, such as education access, public health hazards, and the lack of basic municipal services. Under the mentorship of Professor Laith Al-Obeidi, these teams developed evidence-based policy papers and engaged directly with local authorities. // The impact of this approach is exemplified by Ali Kamil, a young leader from al-Namrud. Through EPICs training, Ali led a campaign to restore evening education for over 1,000 displaced and vulnerable students in his community. His formal proposal has progressed beyond the local level and is now under review by the Ministry of Education in Baghdad, demonstrating the potential for local advocacy to influence national policy. Concurrently, other teams secured tangible commitments from officials, including municipal pledges to address hazardous waste burning in Al-Hamdaniyah and to create safe play areas for children in Mosul. // This project, supported by SGP-International, validates a core tenet of EPICs mission: that sustainable recovery in post-conflict regions is advanced by empowering local youth with the tools for effective, professional advocacy, enabling them to become architects of their communities futures. 40451 POLICY ANALYSIS & ADVOCACY PROGRAM: Advancing Environmental Justice and Informed Policy on Iraq: EPIC intensified its advocacy on Iraqs acute climate and environmental crises. A major focus was the release of a landmark issue brief on gas flaring (https://enablingpeace.org/gas-flaring-2024/), which detailed the severe health and economic impacts and provided six concrete policy recommendations for the Iraqi government. The brief highlighted that this practice wastes a valuable resource, resulting in an estimated $2 billion annual revenue loss while forcing Iraq to spend billions more on energy imports. Furthermore, we underscored the dire human cost, where communities as close as two miles from flares suffer from high rates of cancer and respiratory diseases, as tragically illustrated by the story of young activist Ali Hussein Julood. EPIC worked closely with Iraqi partners to elevate these issues with national and international decision-makers, including advocating for the creation of a community support fund for those most impacted by flaring. Simultaneously, our policy program continued to provide expert analysis to U.S. and international policymakers, advocating for long-term strategies to support Iraqs stability, fight corruption, strengthen human rights, and address the needs of genocide survivors and other vulnerable populations. 223848 true true false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 1 0 true 2 true false false false false false false false false false false false false X 9 9 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false X X Education for Peace in Iraq Center 2026709093 1140 3rd Street NE 2nd Floor Washington DC 20002 Erik Gustafson Executive Director 40.00 0.00 X 85094 0 0 Sren Sdhof Board Member 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Bilal Wahab Board Member 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Dennis Eoghan Clancey Board Member 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Gheed Saeed Board Member 7.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Peter Schwartzstein Board Member 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 David Slater Secretary 7.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Hussein Al-Baya Treasurer 7.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Kate Phillips-Barrasso Vice President 7.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Zeena Abdul-Rahman President 7.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 85094 0 0 0 false false false 19566 257848 277414 Program Services 900099 100 100 100 0 277514 100 0 0 85094 74482 5306 5306 76979 67379 4800 4800 32880 28606 2137 2137 12893 11217 838 838 8321 7239 541 541 13056 11437 810 809 42 36 3 3 143 126 8 9 3700 3242 229 229 3573 3109 232 232 12417 12031 193 193 2315 2014 150 151 Bank & Merchant Fees 3368 2930 219 219 254781 223848 15466 15467 9214 22491 12609 419 13747 13747 9214 35519 39002 42574 39002 42574 X -29788 -7055 -29788 -7055 9214 35519 22733 0 X false false false X 376529 337701 404538 290738 277414 1686920 376529 337701 404538 290738 277414 1686920 1030862 656058 5 894 1229 284 2412 1689332 0.38840 0.52830 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 13747 13747 true Middle East and North Africa 1 3 Program services Program Services 26391 1 3 1 3 26391 26391 false false false false false false Supplemental Information (Part V, Other) In 2024, EPIC strategically invested a total of $26,391 in its Iraq-based operations. These expenditures directly supported our mission to advance peace and recovery on the ground.A portion of these funds, $9,445, was allocated to the project The Campaign for Better Governance and Public Safety in Sinjar and the Ninewa Plain. This initiative, supported in part by SGP-International, equipped local activists with skills in research, policy-writing, and advocacy to address critical community needs in Iraqs Ninewa/Mosul region.The remaining $16,946 sustained EPICs essential field operations and staffing, enabling vital activities such as Iraq-based research, program monitoring, advocacy, and strategic development.The remaining $16,946 sustained EPICs essential field operations and staffing, enabling vital activities such as Iraq-based research, program monitoring, advocacy, and strategic development.As a registered NGO with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), EPIC maintains a field office responsible for rigorous project management, financial oversight, and compliance. Our organization upholds the highest standards of fiscal integrity, built on a track record of 25+ years managing grants and charitable donations. EPIC has implemented robust internal controls and strict policiesincluding Anti-Fraud, Whistleblower Protection, and Conflict of Interest protocolsmandatory for all staff, board members, and affiliates.To ensure continuous accountability, EPICs headquarters team conducts periodic field visits, staff reviews, and internal audits. Furthermore, the organization undergoes biennial external audits to verify accounting accuracy, administrative controls, and financial security. These practices, detailed in a comprehensive finance and compliance manual and reinforced through staff training and a culture of accountability, safeguard resources against fraud, waste, and abuse. Form 990 governing body review Part VI line 11 EPICs Executive Director reviews the completed Form 990 with the external accountant who prepared the return. The return is not signed or submitted until all issues are resolved and the executive director is satisfied that the return is correct. Conflict of interest policy compliance Part VI line 12c Conflicts of interst are immediately reported to the Board. Any member with a potential conflict are recused from deliberations and voting. CEO executive director top management comp Part VI line 15a EPICs Board of Directors sets the compensation level of the organizations Executive Director based on market data of comprable nonprofit executives in the Washington DC area and performance evaluations. EPICs Board Chair oversees an annual performance review of EPICs Executive Director. The review is based on metrics related to EPICs strategic priorities and fundraising. The Board also sets goals for further professional development. EPICs board of directors also cultivates a culture of transparency and accountability with the Executive Director and among fellow directors. Other officer or key employee compensation Part VI line 15b EPICs Executive Director conducts annual performance reviews of all EPIC staff. The process includes a self-evaluation followed by a joint-evaluation, and when needed, establishing mutually agreed upon plan to address areas where improvement is needed. Staff also have opportunities to share feedback with directors, recognizing that there are always opportunities for self-improvement and for increasing the effectiveness of the overall team. Governing documents etc available to public Part VI line 19 Governing documents are available on written request.