Un Ponte Per (UPP)

Un Ponte Per (UPP) is an international solidarity association and NGO founded in 1991 immediately after the Iraq war, to build bridges of solidarity with the population affected by violent conflict. The Iraqi mission of the NGO started operating in the same year, and opened local offices from 2003 onwards, managed by local staff. UPP’s goal is the prevention of armed conflicts and the support to civilians particularly in the Middle East, through a series of information campaigns, cultural exchanges, cooperation projects and peacebuilding programs conducted in partnership with local civil society organizations. Since 2003 UPP has been supporting independent Iraqi civil society in its efforts to protect cultural heritage, human and environmental rights, the rights of minorities, freedom of expression and association and a culture of nonviolence. Since 2009 it is part of the secretariat of the biggest solidarity initiative at international level, the Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (ICSSI), together with Iraqi associations and trade unions. ICSSI supports advocacy campaigns for human and environmental rights conducted by local partners, such as Save the Tigris campaign, aimed at protecting the rivers in the region. UPP is also an EUTRP member and in coordination with local partners is supporting Iraqi HRDs to access Frontline Defenders’ Emergency Relocation programmes and Protect Defenders’ Temporary relocation programmes