Co-creating practical steps for digital social protection in Iraq

It has been a pleasure to facilitate a five-day knowledge exchange in Erbil on behalf of the DCI Helpdesk, working with colleagues from the Federal Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government, alongside WFP.

From 18 to 22 October 2026, the exchange focused on Iraq’s single and unified registries and the practical work needed to make information exchange useful for social protection.

Shaping the work together

Co-creation shaped the week. Participants brought their knowledge of programmes, departmental processes and information needs. Together, we used those experiences to identify valuable information flows and explore the steps needed to take them forward.

Thomas Byrnes facilitating a session on information needs and flows in Erbil

We began by building a shared understanding of registries and their purpose. Groups then worked through concrete questions: who needs what information, from whom, how often and for which decision?

This gave colleagues from different departments a practical starting point for collaboration. Mapping a flow meant considering both the institution providing information and the institution using it, including what each needed to keep the exchange useful.

From information needs to responsibilities

The discussions moved from identifying valuable flows to examining what makes them work. Participants considered data quality, proposed improvements and explored the responsibilities behind each step.

Participants discussing an information-flow exercise during the DCI knowledge exchange

What triggers an exchange? What does the receiving institution actually need? Who maintains the source record? Who corrects an error, and who needs to hear about the correction?

Working through these questions helped connect technical ambitions to everyday processes. Groups explored which institution or job function would carry out each step, who would be accountable and what needed further agreement.

Thomas Byrnes contributing to a table discussion with workshop colleagues

Connecting the workshop to institutional priorities

The final two days focused on institutional discussions. These connected the workshop exercises to departmental priorities, current circumstances, support needs and possible next steps.

Strong cross-departmental collaboration was a highlight. Bringing Federal and Kurdistan Regional colleagues into the same learning space also created opportunities to share experience and compare approaches, while recognising their distinct systems and responsibilities.

Workshop colleagues during a table discussion in Erbil

The week went well because participants actively shaped it. Their questions, practical examples and willingness to work through issues together helped turn broad ideas about digital transformation into concrete priorities for follow-up.

Exploring AI in social protection

We also held a session on AI in social protection, drawing on the DCI AI Hub’s documents to explore practical uses, risks, safeguards and the importance of human judgement.

The discussion connected AI to the wider themes of the week: a clear purpose, reliable information and explicit responsibilities for how tools and their outputs are used.

Taking the work forward

Thank you to all the participants, WFP colleagues, the DCI team and our interpreters for their contributions throughout the week, and to the European Union for its support.

This is the kind of practical, collaborative support we provide at MarketImpact. If your organisation needs support with digital social protection, data governance or the responsible use of AI in social protection, please get in touch.

Thomas Byrnes, MarketImpact Digital Solutions