Following the end of the most recent conflict in Iraq in 2017, the city of Mosul entered a prolonged period of readjustment and recovery. Home to diverse religious and ethnic communities, as well as a large population of internally displaced people, Mosul continues to face the long-term social and psychological consequences of years of violence. The legacy of a regime that relied on sectarian division to maintain power has left deep wounds, undermining trust and social cohesion between communities.

Years of instability, destruction, and displacement have had a profound impact on the well-being of Mosul’s residents. Many people have experienced trauma and continue to live with psychological distress, uncertainty about the future, and a loss of hope. In a city where social and physical infrastructure has been severely damaged, rebuilding daily life and a sense of normalcy remains a significant challenge.

The RAWABET project supports individuals and communities in Mosul by facilitating processes of healing, recovery, and social reconnection. Based in a community centre with an adjacent garden, the project provides accessible and needs-based psychosocial support to a diverse population. It offers group-based interventions, including interpersonal therapy groups, nature-based psychosocial activities, and embroidery-centred psychosocial work. At the heart of the project, however, are facilitated community dialogues in which issues of shared importance are discussed collectively. In addition, individual counselling is provided to offer tailored support, particularly for those who wish to address sensitive topics that cannot be explored in a group setting.

By strengthening individual well-being and rebuilding trust at the community level, RAWABET contributes to long-term social cohesion and resilience in post-conflict Mosul.