Czech Embassy financed Al-Rihla NGO and their Clean Iraq Campaigns

Clean Iraq is a name for cleaning campaigns for general public in Iraq. In these campaigns volunteers collect waste on a given day at a given location. Thanks to the financial contribution of the Czech Republic, Al-Rihla Organization created a website (in Arabic and English), purchased waste collection bags, gloves, masks, vests, caps and T-shirts with the organization's logos, shovels, brooms, rakes and refreshments for cleaning campaign participants. Time and location of each event is announced on Instagram. At the end of 2024, campaigns took place in the cities of Baghdad, Mosul and Basra.

Murtadha by the river

The idea to establishing Clean Iraq movement came from Mr. Murtadha Al-Tameemi. One day he simply decided to go out, to see sunset on the Tigris River. However, his beautiful experience was spoiled by the garbage along the riverbed. He immediately thought of cleaning the area. He came up with an idea of involving more people, spreading the concept of cleanliness and cooperation. And that is exactly, how the amazing #Safra_AlNazafa campaign started. Murtadha published a call on a social network, and the response from public came as a shock to him. He did not expect so many people to respond. Absolute strangers started to arrive determined to contribute to change. The cleaning campaigns slowly spread from the city of Baghdad throughout its province and from there to other provinces of Iraq. Campaigns brought together hundreds of men and women of different ages, specialties and aspirations. Campaigns attract especially young activists and YouTubers who want to be seen, act as an example, and spread the idea through their social channels. But the older generation is not lagging behind either. Clean Iraq events are attended by whole families with children as well.

Largest river cleaning in Iraq

Who are these ambassadors of cleanliness? The Clean Iraq campaign is for everyone - we are all ambassadors of cleanliness. If people promote cleanliness and each of us does his duty, we become ambassadors of purity. Our duties are simple: not to throw garbage on the street, to observe etiquette and to give polite advice to those who throw away garbage. We also participate in the cleaning of public spaces.

On sight reporting

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Baghdad is glad to support this project in 2024. The funds were provided within the framework of the official Development Assistance of the Czech Republic, from the scheeme of the so-called "Small Local Projects". The call for proposals for Small Local Projects is published annually in the autumn. All NGOs registered in the country can apply. A successful proposal project can receive up to 500,000 CZK (or equivalent in local currency) from the Embassy.

Collection Campaign

The project of the non-governmental organization Al-Rihla and the Clean Iraq campaigns will continue in the future, without further financial assistance from the Czech Republic. We believe that campaigns will spread by themselves to all corners of Iraq, we are glad that we could contribute to the spreading this wanderful idea.

from the event in Baghdad

Prepared by: Ing. Roman Plevák, Ph.D., Head of Trade and Development Cooperation Department, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Baghdad