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| Project Date | January 2025 |
| Project Title | Syrian Families Food Basket Appeal to Westminster Abbey |
| Benefactor | Westminster Abbey through Fr. James Hawkey |
| Beneficiaries | 257 vulnerable Syrian refugee families in Erbil (primarily Ankawa), representing approximately 1,000+ individuals |
| Amount | US$ 31,399 (GBP 25,000.00) |
| Category of Support | Pastoral Care – Food program for IDPs |
| Description | The Archdiocese has implemented the Syrian Families Food Basket Program, originally launched through an appeal to Westminster Abbey, to support around 200 of the most vulnerable Syrian refugee families residing in Erbil, particularly in the district of Ankawa. These families, who fled the war in Syria in hopes of resettlement abroad, continue to face severe economic hardship due to limited job opportunities, exploitative labor conditions, and the high cost of living—including expensive residency permit renewals. With little to no access to consistent income, they struggle to meet essential needs such as food, rent, education, and healthcare. Thanks to the generosity of Westminster Abbey, the Archdiocese was able to implement this four month food assistance program from January to May 2025, providing each family with a monthly basket valued at $30 and containing basic food staples like rice, couscous, lentils, beans, sugar, pasta, and tea. This intervention not only alleviated urgent food insecurity but also brought dignity and relief to families under immense pressure. The program was carried out by local volunteers and overseen by the Archdiocese, with monthly reporting on beneficiaries and expenditures. The Archdiocese remains deeply grateful for the solidarity and compassion extended to these displaced families in their time of need. |
| Closing Date | June 2025 |
| Project Date | 2025 |
| Project Title | Funding support Request for the Vision Library Security System at the CUE |
| Benefactor | Bereich Weltkirche und Migration Deutsch Bichofskonferenz Bonn |
| Beneficiaries | Over 700 Students, faculty, and future community user of the CUE Vision Library |
| Amount | € 10,000.00 |
| Category of Support |
Education – Catholic University in Erbil |
| Description |
The Vision Library at the Catholic University in Erbil (CUE), inaugurated in September 2023 with support from Vision Education, has rapidly become a central academic resource for the university’s growing student body. Home to over 20,000 printed and digital volumes, the library serves more than 700 students from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds, offering a peaceful space for academic inquiry, dialogue, and resilience in the heart of Iraq. To protect this vital intellectual hub, CUE seeks to install a Radio-frequency Identification (RFID) security system that will safeguard its resources and enhance operational efficiency. The system includes RFID gates, tags, staff workstations, and training for librarians, ensuring professional library management aligned with international standards. This project represents an investment in long-term access to knowledge and academic excellence in a region striving to recover from conflict and displacement. With strong support from its partners, CUE continues to serve as a beacon of coexistence and educational opportunity for Iraq’s next generation of leaders. |
| Closing Date |
| Project Date | Academic Year 2025 – 2026 |
| Project Title | Pope Francis Scholarship 2 and 3: Additional 78 scholarships for 4-year scholarship program Catholic University in Erbil (CUE), 2022-23 to 2025/26 |
| Benefactor | ACN Königstein Germany |
| Beneficiaries | 78 students of CUE for Academic year 2025 – 2026 |
| Amount | US$ 222,300.00 |
| Category of Support | Education – Catholic University in Erbil |
| Description | Providing scholarships to students in the first Catholic University in Iraq, that serves as the key structure to keep Christianity in Iraq; CUE plays a central role in educating Iraqi society about Christianity through events and seminars with the aim towards reconciliation, justice, peace and social cohesion; It not only gives hope to the young minorities to be able to compete for jobs through higher education, it also gives hope to their parents who would otherwise emigrate if their children could not get the chances CUE and the four Catholic schools under the archdiocese give to them; The CUE is not only be about academia but is also about forming and solidifying lifelong relationships and bonds through the traditional values of a Catholic education; From a sense of community to obtaining life skills, CUE graduates will stand apart from other university graduates of the region, especially in critical thinking; The latter is in great need in a country that learns by rote in society constantly at war; The country needs lateral solutions to their systemic challenges, and this will come from critical thinking education. |
| Closing Date | 21 October 2026 |
| Project Date | Academic Year 2025 – 2026 |
| Project Title | Pope Francis Scholarship 4: Additional 50 scholarships for 4-year scholarship program Catholic University in Erbil (CUE), 2024/25 to 2027/28 |
| Benefactor | ACN Königstein Germany |
| Beneficiaries | 50 students of CUE for Academic year 2025 – 2026 |
| Amount | US$ 142,500.00 |
| Category of Support | Education – Catholic University in Erbil |
| Description | The Pope Francis Scholarship 4 represents a strategic investment in peacebuilding and future leadership through education in Iraq. With the support of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Königstein, Germany, this initiative will provide 50 full scholarships for students enrolled at the Catholic University in Erbil (CUE) for the academic year 2025–2026 as part of a four-year degree program running from 2024/25 to 2027/28. As the first Catholic university in Iraq, CUE serves as a beacon of hope and a vital anchor for the Christian presence in the country. Through its strong academic programs, values-based formation, and community-driven mission, CUE empowers youth—particularly from marginalized communities—to build a future in their homeland. The scholarships enable students who would otherwise lack access to higher education to pursue degrees that equip them with critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills urgently needed in a society burdened by decades of instability. Beyond academia, CUE fosters reconciliation, social cohesion, and interfaith understanding through public events, cultural exchange, and outreach. For many families, the opportunity for their children to attend CUE and its affiliated Catholic schools becomes a compelling reason to remain in Iraq. With ACN’s generous backing, this scholarship program not only shapes well-rounded graduates, but also strengthens the Christian community’s resolve to persevere and lead in rebuilding Iraqi society with values rooted in justice, peace, and intellectual freedom. |
| Closing Date | 28 September 2026 |
| Project Date | 2025 |
| Project Title | 2025 Catechism Programme: Growth in Faith |
| Benefactor | ACN Königstein Germany |
| Beneficiaries | Over 1,000 children and youth (ages 5–18) and 100 catechism teachers across 7 catechism centers in Erbil |
| Amount | € 35,000.00 |
| Category of Support | Pastoral Care – Catechism |
| Description | The Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil continues to be a beacon of hope and faith for Iraq’s Christian community, especially the youth who remain the future of the Church in a post-conflict society. The 2025 Catechism Programme, titled “Growth in Faith,” seeks to renew and deepen the spiritual life of over 1,000 young people between the ages of 5 and 18, supported by a dedicated team of 100 volunteer catechists across seven parishes. Under the leadership of Archbishop Bashar Warda and Fr. Samir Slewa, the Catechism Central Committee has designed a dynamic year-round programme that blends weekly catechetical instruction with community events, family engagement, spiritual retreats, and summer faith camps. The programme also includes workshops for catechists, biblical exhibitions, Palm Sunday celebrations, and a vibrant Christmas gathering. These activities aim not only to educate in doctrine but also to nurture prayer, community belonging, and a strong Christian identity amid social uncertainty. With external fund support, the program covers all essential resources such as transportation, textbooks, multimedia tools, training workshops, catechist stipends, and youth events. The activities is vital in shaping resilient, faith-rooted youth who are inspired to remain in their homeland and serve the Church and society as disciples of Jesus Christ. |
| Closing Date | 16 July 2026 |
| Project Date | 9–12 July 2025 |
| Project Title | Contribution towards Ankawa Youth Meeting (AYM) 2025 |
| Benefactor | ACN Königstein Germany |
| Beneficiaries | 470 young Christians from across Iraq, including Syriac Catholics. The programme focused on young adults aged 18–30 |
| Amount | Approved ACN grant: EUR 40,000. Net amount received: USD 46,584, acknowledged on 22 October 2025. Total project expenditure: USD 88,048.24 |
| Category of Support | Pastoral Care – Youth Ministry and Vocational Discernment |
| Description | The Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil organised Ankawa Youth Meeting 2025 under the theme “I Will Give You Shepherds” (Jeremiah 3:15), bringing together 470 young Christians for four days of prayer, fellowship, spiritual formation, and vocational discernment. Beginning in March 2025, priests and religious accompanied 38 small groups through eight preparatory sessions exploring faith, service, and vocations. ACN’s contribution helped meet the costs of accommodation, meals, transportation, formation materials, and event facilities, enabling young people from different parts of Iraq to participate. Despite regional insecurity and financial constraints that reduced attendance from the planned 750 participants, the gathering provided meaningful opportunities for pastoral accompaniment and connection across Christian communities. Among the 161 survey respondents, 87.6% reported that the experience strengthened their personal relationship with God. By encouraging young people to discern their responsibilities within the Church and society, the project supported the formation of future community leaders and the continuity of Christian life and witness in Iraq. |
| Closing Date | 09 November 2025 |
| Project Date | 9–13 September 2025 |
| Project Title | Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Festival – “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” (Ephesians 4:5) |
| Benefactor | ACN Königstein Germany |
| Beneficiaries | Thousands of Christian faithful from the Chaldean, Assyrian, Syriac Catholic, and Syriac Orthodox communities; clergy; youth; and volunteers across Iraq |
| Amount | € 35,000.00 |
| Category of Support | Ecumenical Unity – Inter-Church Cultural and Faith-Based Celebration |
| Description | The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Festival is a spiritually and culturally significant annual event that unites all Eastern Christian Churches in Ankawa—Chaldean, Assyrian, Syriac Catholic, and Syriac Orthodox—under one banner of shared faith, fellowship, and public witness. Initiated in 2024 by Archbishop Bashar Warda, and embraced by other Church leaders including His Holiness Patriarch Mar Awa III, Archbishop Mar Nathanael Nizar Semaan, and Archbishop Mar Nicodemus Daoud Matti Sharaf, the festival is a powerful testament to the living Christian heritage in Iraq. The 2025 festival builds on 2024’s overwhelming success, offering five days of liturgical celebrations, ecumenical processions, family and youth cultural activities, traditional music, food, games, and prayer. Anchored in the symbolism of the Cross, each day is hosted by a different Church, reflecting unity in diversity and encouraging mutual recognition, respect, and celebration. A Joint Youth Committee composed of volunteers from all churches oversees the coordination of sporting events, marathons, musical evenings, and charity fairs. The central symbol of the event, the Cross, is carried through Ankawa’s streets by youth from all traditions and delivered to the city’s churches as a sign of shared witness. This unique festival not only deepens Christian identity and inter-Church communion, but also counters feelings of marginalization by publicly affirming the continued vitality of Iraq’s ancient Christian communities. The Archdiocese of Erbil, with support from partner dioceses, maintain and expand this joyful, unifying expression of faith with costs that cover sound systems, logistics, refreshments, media, venue setup, and volunteer coordination. |
| Closing Date | 12 August 2026 |
| Project Date | Academic Year 2025 – 2026 |
| Project Title | Providing university education through “Catholic University” in Ankawa |
| Benefactor | Conferenza Episcopale Italiana |
| Beneficiaries | 50 students of CUE for Academic year 2025 – 2026 |
| Amount | Second Tranche 4/4 – Euros 132,949.00 for AY 2025-26 |
| Category of Support | Education – Catholic University in Erbil |
| Description | Providing scholarships to students in the first Catholic University in Iraq, that serves as the key structure to keep Christianity in Iraq; CUE plays a central role in educating Iraqi society about Christianity through events and seminars with the aim towards reconciliation, justice, peace and social cohesion; It not only gives hope to the young minorities to be able to compete for jobs through higher education, it also gives hope to their parents who would otherwise emigrate if their children could not get the chances CUE and the four Catholic schools under the archdiocese give to them; The CUE is not only be about academia but is also about forming and solidifying lifelong relationships and bonds through the traditional values of a Catholic education; From a sense of community to obtaining life skills, CUE graduates will stand apart from other university graduates of the region, especially in critical thinking; The latter is in great need in a country that learns by rote in society constantly at war; The country needs lateral solutions to their systemic challenges, and this will come from critical thinking education. |
| Closing Date | November 2026 |
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| Project Date | Academic Year 2025 – 2026 |
| Project Title | 4-year Pope Francis scholarship (PFS1) program for 150 students studying at Catholic University in Erbil (CUE), September 2021/ September 2025 (scholarship extension for 16 students to 2025/2026) |
| Benefactor | ACN Königstein Germany |
| Beneficiaries | 16 students of CUE for Academic year 2025 – 2026 |
| Amount | US$ 45,600.00 |
| Category of Support | Education – Catholic University in Erbil |
| Description | The Pope Francis Scholarship 1 (PFS1) program has supported 150 students at the Catholic University in Erbil (CUE) from September 2021 to September 2025, enabling them to complete their four-year undergraduate degrees. However, 16 Architecture students, enrolled in a mandatory five-year program, require an additional year of support to finish their studies in 2025–2026. As agreed with ACN under the credit-based framework (2 credits per student per year), scholarship credits unused by students who exited the program were reassigned to replacement students. This ensured fairness and continuity, but it also produced a group of students whose credits will expire before graduation, thus creating the need for this final-year extension. This extension request ensures that all remaining Architecture students—who have progressed faithfully and successfully through the scholarship program—can complete their degrees without financial interruption. Supporting their final year not only honors the original spirit and commitment of PFS1 but also reinforces CUE’s mission to form competent Christian professionals who can contribute meaningfully to Iraq’s future. These young architects represent a crucial investment in local capacity, community resilience, and the long-term sustainability of Christian presence in the region. |
| Closing Date | 20 September 2026 |
| Project Date | AY2025–2026 to AY2026–2027 |
| Project Title | 21 Extended Scholarships – Pope Francis Scholarship Programme (PFS1), 2025–2027 |
| Benefactor | ACN Königstein Germany |
| Beneficiaries | 21 Iraqi Christian students at the Catholic University in Erbil: 15 women and 6 men across ten academic departments. Eight graduated in AY2025–2026; 13 continue into AY2026–2027. |
| Amount | Approved grant: USD 96,900 for 2025–2027, payable in two instalments. Documented net receipt for AY2025–2026: USD 59,401. |
| Category of Support | Catholic Education – Higher Education Scholarships |
| Description | Through this extension of the Pope Francis Scholarship Programme, ACN supports 21 Iraqi Christian students who entered the original programme as replacement beneficiaries and require continued assistance to complete their university education. Implemented by the Catholic University in Erbil through the Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil, the project reduces financial barriers to higher education and supports professional and ethical formation. Students’ reflections describe reduced pressure on their families, greater confidence, and a commitment to use their qualifications in service of their communities. The AY2025–2026 report records passing results for all 21 scholars, with no outstanding failed subjects. Eight students are confirmed as graduates in the Ministry’s graduation list, while 13 continue into AY2026–2027, including five Architecture Engineering students entering their fifth year. Continued support aims to enable these students to complete their qualifications and strengthen their prospects for employment and service in Iraq, contributing to the long-term sustainability of its Christian communities. The two-year project remains ongoing. |
| Closing Date | 24 September 2026 |
| Project Date | AY2025–2026 |
| Project Title |
Graduation Scholarships for 17 Students of the Pope Francis Scholarship Programme (PFS1), AY2025–2026 |
| Benefactor | ACN Königstein Germany |
| Beneficiaries | 17 students at the Catholic University in Erbil across six academic departments. All 17 completed their degrees in AY2025–2026 |
| Amount | Grant support: USD 48,450, equivalent to USD 2,850 per student for the final academic year |
| Category of Support |
Catholic Education – Higher Education Scholarships |
| Description |
This project provided final-year tuition support for 17 students within the Pope Francis Scholarship Programme at the Catholic University in Erbil, implemented through the Chaldean Catholic Archdiocese of Erbil. ACN’s assistance helped students overcome financial barriers and complete degrees in Accounting, Business Management, Computer Sciences, English Language, International Relations and Diplomacy, and Medical Laboratory Sciences. Their reflections describe reduced financial pressure on their families, stronger study habits, greater confidence, and renewed commitment to professional and community service. The closing-report draft records all 17 beneficiaries as Ministry-confirmed graduates, with passing final-year results and no failed or unresolved subjects. These completed qualifications represent a concrete educational outcome and provide a foundation for employment, further learning, and service in Iraq. By supporting access to Catholic higher education, the project contributes to the
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| Closing Date | 24 September 2026 |
| Project Date | Academic Year 2025 – 2026 |
| Project Title | Pope Francis Scholarship 5: Additional 50 scholarships for 4-year scholarship program Catholic University in Erbil (CUE), 2025/26 to 2028/29 |
| Benefactor | ACN Königstein Germany |
| Beneficiaries | 50 students of CUE from outside Erbil for Academic year 2025 – 2026 |
| Amount | US$ 142,500.00 |
| Category of Support | Education – Catholic University in Erbil |
| Description | The Pope Francis Scholarship 5 (PFS5) is a critical continuation of the Church’s mission to keep Christian youth in Iraq by expanding access to higher education at the Catholic University in Erbil (CUE). In response to the deepening economic crisis affecting Christian families—particularly those living in villages outside Erbil—this scholarship initiative seeks to provide 50 full four-year scholarships beginning in the academic year 2025–2026. These young people face severe financial hardship due to months without government salaries, rising living costs, and limited employment opportunities, leaving higher education entirely out of reach without external support. PFS5 aims to bring these students into the CUE community, where they can receive a values-based Catholic education that equips them with professional competence, moral grounding, and the resilience needed to rebuild their communities.
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| Closing Date | 23 September 2026 |
| Project Date | December 2025 |
| Project Title | Emergency Food Basket and Chronic Medicine Support Program – Archdiocese of Erbil |
| Benefactor | Westminster Abbey through Fr. James Hawkey |
| Beneficiaries | Approximately 500 vulnerable families (including Syrian refugees and |
| Amount | US$ 139,478.92 (GBP 100,000.00) |
| Category of Support | Pastoral Care – Food Security and Medical Assistance |
| Description | Under the initiative of the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil, and with the generous support of Westminster Abbey, this Emergency Food and Medical Support Program has been developed as a response to the growing hardship faced by vulnerable families in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In recent months, many families—already affected by displacement and instability—have been further burdened by the absence of salaries, rising living costs, and the increasing difficulty of securing even the most basic necessities. For many, daily life has become a struggle to provide food, access healthcare, and preserve a sense of dignity for their loved ones. In these circumstances, the Church continues to stand alongside its people, offering not only spiritual care but also concrete support in their time of need.
Through this program, the Archdiocese seeks to provide monthly food baskets to 500 families and essential medicines to 250 individuals suffering from chronic illnesses over a six-month period. Particular attention is given to the most vulnerable—the elderly, widows, those with disabilities, and families with no stable source of income. More than an act of material assistance, this initiative is a sign of solidarity and compassion, reminding those who suffer that they are not forgotten. With the support of Westminster Abbey, this effort helps restore hope, strengthen resilience, and affirm the enduring presence of Christian charity in a time of great uncertainty. |
| Closing Date |
| Project Date | Academic Year 2025–2026 |
| Project Title | Formation of 3 Seminarians at the Maronite Patriarchal Seminary in Ghazir, Lebanon |
| Benefactor | Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Königstein, Germany |
| Beneficiaries | Seminarians Ibrahim Nasseer Najeeh Yousifany, Yousif Amjed Yousif Wardi, and Majid Habib Bia of the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil |
| Amount | USD 15,000.00 |
| Category of Support |
Priestly Formation – Seminary Education |
| Description |
Through the generous support of ACN, the Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil is able to continue the priestly formation of three seminarians—Ibrahim Nasseer Najeeh Yousifany, Yousif Amjed Yousif Wardi, and Majid Habib Bia—at the Maronite Patriarchal Seminary in Ghazir, Lebanon during the Academic Year 2025–2026. The grant contributes toward the seminarians’ academic, spiritual, pastoral, and residential formation, preparing them for future priestly ministry in Iraq. At a time when the Christian community in Iraq continues to face ongoing pastoral and social challenges, the formation of future priests remains essential for sustaining the life of the Church and accompanying the faithful with hope and stability. Through this support, ACN continues its longstanding commitment to strengthening the Church in Iraq by investing in the formation of young vocations who will serve their communities and help preserve the Christian presence in the region. |
| Closing Date |