Strengthening Environmental Efforts:
Climate Change and Tree-Planting Campaigns
Tulip Foundation Joins the Community of Practice for Environmental Advocacy in Iraq
Tulip Foundation is proud to be part of the Community of Practice for Iraqi Civil Society Actors Working on the Environment, a network facilitated by PAX in collaboration with IRIS at AUIS and the Clingendael Institute.
Planting for the Future
Over the past three years, Tulip Foundation have undertaken numerous activities to address environmental issues. A climate change campaign is currently being implemented in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The initiative began with the creation of the #1000_trees Instagram page, designed to raise awareness about the urgent need to combat climate change. This platform served as a central hub for sharing information, success stories, and encouraging the public to take part in tree-planting activities.
Tulip Foundation Signs MoU with University of Soran to Launch Collaborative Environmental Projects
in 2023, Tulip Foundation signed a memorandum of cooperation with the University of Soran to implement joint environmental projects in the city of Soran. This collaboration aimed to involve students and university professors in hands-on environmental efforts, aligning with the goals of the #1000_trees initiative. As part of this partnership, students started planting 1,000 trees throughout the university campus, with each tree labeled with the name of the student who planted it. This not only encouraged active participation but also helped foster a sense of personal responsibility for environmental stewardship among the students.
#1000_Trees
The #1000_trees campaign at Soran University saw notable involvement from women and girls, contributing significantly to the effort. Encouraged by the positive response, we are committed to continuing the campaign in the coming year, building on the progress made and further promoting sustainable environmental practices in the region.
The campaign gained attention from notable figures and decision-makers. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Iraq, participated by planting the first tree in the campaign, which was named after her. This high-profile involvement helped draw more attention to the initiative, leading to increased participation from influential individuals across various sectors. During this period, the campaign hosted a significant event where 1,000 trees were planted across the university campus, each bearing the name of the student who planted it. The event was widely celebrated, receiving media attention and social media coverage. Despite the relatively short duration of the campaign so far, it has already delivered meaningful results. Many participants shared their photos and videos of tree-planting activities, helping spread awareness about the importance of preserving the environment.
Tulip Foundation Joins Najaf Climate Change Council
Tulip Foundation have expanded its environmental efforts to other areas of Iraq, including Najaf Governorate, where we collaborated with the Governorate Council. In Najaf, the council generously donated 2,000 trees to the Tulip Foundation to support the restoration of parks and public spaces. One of the city’s gardens has been named after the Tulip Foundation in recognition of these efforts.
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Furthermore, the Tulip Foundation has joined the Environment and Climate Change Council in Najaf, becoming the only NGO represented on the council. Our role is to monitor decisions made by the council and ensure women and girls are actively involved in addressing climate change and participating in decision-making processes related to environmental sustainability.
