Completed
Federal Iraq • Baghdad • Basra • Nineveh • Dhi Qar • Muthanna
Innovation:
Escape game - first deployment in Iraq. Seefar Academy online facilitator course
Summary
In Federal Iraq, returnees shared their stories through community sessions and the Heroes at Home documentary film series. Among participants, 94% gained new knowledge about the risks of irregular migration. This was further amplified through the Turning Tides escape game, reaching 1,023 young people across all five governorates. The central finding: trained community and religious leaders went on to independently reach youth at risk of irregular migration across mosques, schools, and youth centres.
12.7 million people reached online; community voices shifted thinking about irregular migration in Federal Iraq.
12.7 M
Social media reach
94%
of participants gained knowledge
1,023
young people via escape game
927K+
Influencer views
"
“I had already decided to migrate irregularly. After watching this video, I realised how dangerous the journey truly is.”
- Social media user, RADIM influencer campaign
Ali’s Story: The Courage It Takes to Come Home
Part of the Heroes at Home documentary series, Ali’s story shows how returnee voices can challenge misinformation about irregular migration and help young Iraqis reflect on the risks, costs, and realities of leaving irregularly.
Community Sessions and the Escape Game in Action
Across Baghdad, Basra, Nineveh, Dhi Qar, and Muthanna, RADIM brought together returnees, educators, religious leaders, and young people to discuss irregular migration through trusted community sessions and interactive learning. The adapted Turning Tides escape game helped participants work through real-life migration dilemmas, challenge misconceptions, and consider safer alternatives.
Heroes at Home Series
The Heroes at Home series shares real stories of young Iraqi migrants who returned from abroad, rebuilt their lives, and chose to pursue their futures in Iraq. Through personal journeys of challenge, return, and resilience, the films counter smuggler narratives and show that safer, realistic alternatives are possible.
Influencer Partnerships that Drove Change
RADIM partnered with Iraqi influencers Husam Noaman and Ali Saad Kareem to deliver relatable, youth-focused content on the risks of irregular migration and safer alternatives. Their short-form videos used personal storytelling and culturally relevant messaging to challenge misinformation, generating more than 927,000 views among target audiences.
Training Facilitators Across Five Governorates
Facilitators, educators, and local partners took part in hands-on training to deliver the adapted Turning Tides escape game across Federal Iraq. The sessions built practical skills for guiding young people through migration scenarios, interactive puzzles, and reflective discussions.
In-person facilitator training for the adapted Turning Tides escape game in federal Iraq.
In-person facilitator training for the adapted Turning Tides escape game in federal Iraq.
In-person facilitator training for the adapted Turning Tides escape game in federal Iraq.
In-person facilitator training for the adapted Turning Tides escape game in federal Iraq.
Escape Game Materials
The Iraq-adapted Escape Game uses character-based storytelling, puzzles, decision-making boards, and discussion prompts to help young people explore the risks of irregular migration and the alternatives available to them. These materials were designed for use in schools, youth centres, and community settings.
Character-based storytelling material from the Iraq-adapted Turning Tides escape game.
Interactive puzzle board guiding participants through migration decision-making scenarios.
Scaling Impact Through Seefar Academy
To ensure the Turning Tides methodology continues beyond the life of the project, Seefar developed a fully localised Arabic online course on Seefar Academy, an e-learning platform which hosts interactive courses on migration issues. The platform equips educators across Iraq with practical guidance, facilitator resources, and downloadable classroom materials, enabling them to confidently deliver migration awareness sessions independently and sustainably.
Seefar Academy's online Arabic-language course equips educators with the tools and resources to independently deliver the Turning Tides escape game and facilitate informed discussions on irregular migration.
