By David Shelby
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- While Iraq's democratic transition may still appear laborious and complex at the national level, developments at the grass roots, as reported by various recent CPA and USAID bulletins, indicate a growing will on the part of the Iraqis to take charge of their future and create democratic institutions.

One key indicator of the Iraqi people's aspiration to take an active role in their future government is the emergence of interest groups. A January 7 bulletin from the CPA's South Central Office reports that recently, more than 700 sheikhs and tribal leaders have come together to form Farmers' Unions in Diwaniyah and Karbala.

One of the sheikhs stated at the opening of the Karbala Farmers' Union, "No longer will we wait in line to turn in our harvest in return for seeds and fertilizer. We can buy our own supplies and sell our product in a free market."

Under the previous regime, farmers were subject to strict controls by the State.

The CPA bulletin stated, "The Farmers' Unions provide an opportunity for tribal leaders to gather, to learn about modern farming techniques, and to promote democratic principles."

As one sheikh in Karbala said, "Our prophets preached democracy, now we have a chance to realize it."

Similarly, Iraqi women are seizing the opportunity to expand their role in a new Iraq through the formation of Women's Centers around the country.

A January 9 bulletin from the CPA's office in Diwaniyah reported opening of a new Women's Center where local women can find nutrition and health classes, literacy programs, computer training and information on democratic participation. The center is run by a democratically elected council of women from the community.

Iraqis are not merely forming interest groups, however. They are actively engaging in discussions, conferences and seminars to explore the possible forms that their governing institutions could take.

A media advisory from the CPA announced that the Human Rights and Democracy Center of Diwaniyah held a workshop on constitutional law January 15. The workshop, organized by the Center's Iraqi staff, sought to generate discussion about the rights and legal issues that are addressed in democratic constitutions.

According to a January 12 USAID report, the agency's Local Governance Program (LGP) is working with 334 governing councils from the neighborhood to the provincial level, seeking to strengthen their democratic selection processes and enhance their abilities to respond to their communities' needs.

"A solid local government system in Iraq is the foundation upon which a democratic national government can be built. Effective local governance encourages citizen participation, fosters dialogue among competing groups, and delivers essential services based on community priorities," the report stated.

A January 13 bulletin from USAID reported that the town of Najmeh (Al Muthanna' Governorate) elected its first woman to serve on the District Council January 6. The bulletin reported that in a district where in the past women rarely appeared in public, English teacher Hiyaam Jassem Mohammed beat out seven male candidates for the closely contested Education Seat on the Council.

In order to ensure that local councils are able to respond to the needs of their people, USAID has initiated assistance grants through the LGP.

"To help cement open decision-making and responsiveness to constituents, councils, mayors, and governors are provided with a combination of technical assistance, training, and small grants. Grants from USAID's Local Governance Program are used to repair infrastructure and facilities until the jurisdiction can obtain an investment budget," according to a January 13 USAID report.

The agency highlighted another avenue of support it provides to local leaders in a January 7 report -- the Community Action Program (CAP). CAP provides local leaders with partial grants to help finance specific projects within their communities.

"The goal is to foster stability and improve lives by ensuring that citizens' basic needs are met within their communities. CAP also provides citizens with the opportunity to participate in decision-making that affects their everyday lives and most urgent needs," the agency stated.

In order to receive these grants, leaders must identify high-priority projects through a participatory communal process and contribute to their realization in the form of buildings, land, labor or materials.

A January 8 update from USAID highlighted a story in the Al Amarat neighborhood of Al Amarah (Maysan Governorate) where local officials determined that the most crucial need was to install safe stairwells in the 58 tenement buildings that house some 10,000 displaced Marsh Arabs.

Previously, the buildings had only crude, unlit concrete steps, littered in debris and lacking protective banisters. The substandard steps were responsible for weekly injuries and frequent deaths.

With a $64,450 CAP grant, local officials are addressing the safety concerns of local residents.

In all, CAP has 886 projects worth $23.2 million completed or underway.

Another institution that is key to the proper functioning of the democratic process is the media. In a January 8 report, USAID stated, "By building the capacity of local media LGP hopes to encourage local journalists to become more aggressive in holding local government officials accountable for their management of public resources."

After decades of repressive State control, Iraqi media organizations are enjoying unprecedented freedom of expression. In an attempt to channel this energy towards serving an effective democratic end, USAID's LGP is holding seminars with print and broadcast journalists around the country, encouraging them to act as watchdogs on government officials' actions.

LGP's most recent workshop, highlighted in the January 8 report, brought together television, radio and newspaper staffs from around Ninawa' Governorate to discuss the role of the media in the democratization process and specific concerns the journalists have in pursuing their work.

The next step in carrying this grassroots democratic momentum to the national level will be in the transfer power from the CPA to Iraqi authorities, scheduled to take place over the coming spring and summer. In order to ensure a smooth transition, the Iraqi Governing Council is working with USAID to establish 20 Outreach Centers throughout Iraq.

According to the January 8 USAID report, the centers will disseminate information, reach out to local interest groups and serve as resource bases for local media outlets on issues related to the transition process.