Completed
Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Innovation:
WhatsApp chatbot in Kurdish dialects with automated dialect detection: a first of its kind in migration behaviour change programming.
Summary
Across four governorates of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Seefar's CERIM campaign, in partnership with the Women Empowerment Organisation (WEO), trained 111 educators and religious leaders: 88% went on to run sessions independently. A WhatsApp chatbot in Sorani and Kurmanji Kurdish averaged 80+ interactions per user. Returnee stories proved more powerful than statistics in shifting how young people think about irregular migration.
A Kurdish-language chatbot helped young people explore their options. Trained educators amplified the project further.
23,250
participants reached
80+
chatbot interactions/user
88%
of trained educators led sessions independently
8,100
students reached
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"True success is having the courage to build your life on your own soil, rather than surrendering your fate to the false promises of smugglers."
Aland, Chamchamal, a project beneficiary.
A First-of-its-Kind WhatsApp Chatbot in Kurdish
One of CERIM's key innovations was a WhatsApp chatbot designed to help potential migrants access trusted information privately and in their preferred Kurdish dialect. The chatbot combines returnee stories, factual information, and guidance on legal pathways and local opportunities, averaging more than 80 interactions per user and demonstrating sustained engagement.
CERIM's WhatsApp chatbot provides information on migration risks, legal pathways, and local opportunities in Sorani and Kurmanji Kurdish.
Community Outreach Across the Kurdistan Region
The Women Empowerment Organisation (WEO) outreach teams delivered awareness sessions in schools, universities, markets, mosques, and community centres across Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, Duhok, and Halabja. Through interactive workshops, storytelling sessions, and direct engagement, they helped young people explore safer alternatives to irregular migration.
WEO outreach teams engaging young people during a community awareness session
Storytelling session encouraging discussion on migration decisions.
Community outreach activity delivered in partnership with WEO.
Stories from the Field
Behind every awareness session are local outreach assistants helping young people navigate difficult migration decisions. These stories highlight how trusted conversations, lived experiences, and practical alternatives changed perspectives across the Kurdistan Region.
Ashna Qader - Soran, Erbil
Supported young people through community storytelling sessions that encouraged them to explore local opportunities.
Harmn Faraidwn - Chamchamal, Sulaymaniyah
Helped facilitate returnee storytelling sessions where participants reflected on the realities of irregular migration.
Why the Chatbot Worked
Focus group discussions showed that many young people felt uncomfortable asking questions about irregular migration publicly. The WhatsApp chatbot offered a private, judgment-free space to explore migration risks, legal pathways, and local opportunities. Participants consistently reported that real returnee stories had a greater impact on their thinking than statistics alone.
Looking Ahead
CERIM demonstrated that community-rooted behaviour change is most effective when trusted local voices, government partnerships, and accessible digital tools work together. The programme leaves behind trained educators, active community networks, and a Kurdish-language chatbot that will continue supporting informed migration decisions beyond the life of the project.
