Recovering from decades of conflict, Baathist party domination, and dramatic regime change, the people of Iraq face numerous challenges in rebuilding the political, social, and economic institutions of their society. CHF International aims to improve the social and economic circumstances of families and communities while strengthening the communities’ use of democratic decision-making.

CHF International is assisting over 5 million residents in Southern Iraq to take the initiative in jump-starting the reconstruction of their communities through two programs:

Following the succes of the original CAP program, CAP II is one of the only community-led development and reconstruction programs in Iraq. Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, CAP directly engages Iraqis in reconstructing their own cities and villages, while building a nation-wide grassroots constituency for democracy.  CHF has worked directly with Iraqi communities to achieve the following through CAP and CAP II:

 > The formation of more than 2,000 Community Associations that have been trained in the CAP process.
 > 2,600 youth have participated in community-based campaigns and activities.
 > 90,000 Iraqis are actively participated in democratic activities and processes.
 > $49.1 million has been injected into the local economy through community project contracts, local Iraqi staff salaries, and operational expenses.

Access to Credit Services Initiative (ACSI)

Access to Credit for Services Initiative (ACSI) is a micro- and small-business and home improvement lending program that serves Central and Southern Iraq. ACSI lends to low-income families and small-business owners, providing the critical capital to Iraqi families who are otherwise excluded from the formal lending sector.

> As of August 31, 2007, ACSI has disbursed over US$83 million in loan funds to more than 40,000 people in south and south central Iraq.
> Of these, the average loan amount disbursed was $1,950.
> Only 18% of the ACSI budget was spent on security costs.
> Despite its rapid growth, the program has maintained a 99% repayment rate. Its portfolio-at-risk is less than 1% and the annual program write-off rate stands at less than 1%.  

ACSI has become the largest microfinance program in Iraq and one of CHF International's largest microfinance programs worldwide. ACSI will also become a self-sustaining, local institute. Currently, ACSI has over US$19.8 million in portfolio outstanding, representing 70% of the microfinance market in Iraq.

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