The Free Yezidi Foundation (FYF) is a non-partisan, Yezidi, women-led nonprofit created in the aftermath of the 2014 genocide to help survivors rebuild their lives with safety, rights, and economic independence. Headquartered virtually in the Netherlands and United States, with operations in Duhok and Ninewa, Iraq, FYF blends protection, education, livelihoods, and advocacy so recovery is not just about relief, but about long-term self-reliance and justice. Its founder and executive director, Pari Ibrahim, has represented Yezidi survivors at major forums—such as the UN Security Council and national parliaments—pressing for accountability and sustainable support.
A cornerstone of FYF’s approach is the Enterprise & Training Center (ETC) just outside Khanke IDP camp. The ETC offers skills training, small-enterprise support, and dignified work opportunities—especially for women including initiatives like a bakery training center and FYF's Sugar is Sweet Café. The aim is to break cycles of dependency by turning skills into income and leadership within the community. External observers and partners have highlighted the ETC as a practical model linking psychosocial healing with economic empowerment.
Furthermore, FYF invests in safe learning spaces at the ETC. Since 2015, the organization has has been running holistic service provision from the ETC, pairing psychosocial care with practical education—from language and numeracy to ICT and rights awareness. These programs restore confidence, rebuild social networks, and create pathways for youth and caregivers to thrive after trauma.
Beyond technical economic support, FYF’s protection and legal teams inform survivors about their rights under Iraq’s Yezidi Survivors’ Law, help file applications, and advocate for accessible, survivor-centered processes. FYF has produced public reports with recommendations to improve the law’s implementation and has trained staff and community members to navigate documentation and claims—work that connects healing to formal recognition and redress.
FYF has also implemented other learning initiatives—such as the English Access Program in Sheikhan, Ninewa—which brings together 140 young people from Yezidi, Christian, and Muslim backgrounds to build English skills while promoting unity and social cohesion. Supported by the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil, the program equips youth with language skills, cultural awareness, and future opportunities—opening doors for their futures and reinforcing community ties.
One of the students, Ahlam, a 17-year-old girl from Sinjar whose family lost their home and stability during the genocide, shared how the program transformed her life. Displaced in Sheikhan, she found confidence, hope, and a sense of belonging. She improved her English, made new friends from different faiths, and discovered her love for art as a bridge to inspire others.
Students have not only improved their English but also developed digital literacy, cultural sensitivity, and confidence in mixed-gender, multi-faith environments. A community survey of 128 parents revealed that 98% saw improvement in their child’s wellbeing, 97% observed reduced stress, 98% reported better school performance, and 99% said their child made new friends from diverse backgrounds.
Integrating students from different genders and religious or cultural backgrounds is not common in Sheikhan, where minority communities are becoming increasingly isolated. Through this program, FYF has made significant progress in building bridges between different communities, contributing to social cohesion in the area. Through inclusive activities such as traditional-day celebrations, field trips, community projects, and mixed-group assignments, the program has fostered teamwork and mutual understanding
FYF’s advocacy continues internationally: from UN testimonies to policy campaigns, it keeps Yezidi survivor priorities on the global agenda while partnering with institutions focused on gender justice, education, and survivor leadership. This blend of livelihoods, legal redress, psychosocial support, and community development defines FYF’s holistic, survivor-led model—a model that restores dignity, builds resilience, and empowers Yezidi communities to move from crisis toward self-directed, sustainable futures.
