The cities of Kifri and Jalawla are only 50 kilometres apart as the crow flies. The idea for the city partnership was born in 2018 in discussions between HAUKARI employees and the mayor and city administration of Kifri, who have close contacts with the mayor and city administration of Jalawla. On the one hand, the background was the destruction of Jalawla after the fighting against IS, the lack of prospects for refugees to return and the request from Jalawla for support. On the other hand, both sides wanted to deepen contacts between the nearby cities, which are separated by borders, ethnicity and numerous conflicts, in order to establish a City partnership. Since 2019, there have been massive protests in Iraq against unemployment, corruption and the increasing number of murders and reprisals against human rights activists. In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the conflict with Baghdad over the transfer of funds from the state budget has flared up again and public employees are not receiving their salaries, leading to the collapse of the public sector and further protests. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a massive increase in domestic violence against women and children in both parts of the country. Basic rights are being suspended and media censorship is being exercised. In addition, the cross-border activities of IS are once again increasing massively in the provinces of Salahaddin, Diyala and the Germian region (Kurdistan-Iraq) and there are reports of a resurgence of the terrorist militia. Particularly in view of the acute crisis situation in both parts of the country and the resurgence of IS in the conflict and border region, this partnership is intended to send a signal for cross-border cohesion and dialogue between the various population groups against fundamentalism and for understanding. In addition, young people, women and cultural workers in both cities in particular are to be strengthened through active involvement in the development of the City partnership.