What does OKY mean in YOUTH

OKY stands for Organization of Kurdish Youth.

OKY is based in Erbil, Iraq, with offices in Suleimaniyah, Sulaymaniyah Governorate.

The goals of OKY are to combat poverty, increase opportunity and access to education, raise awareness through campaigns and forums to engage political decision makers, create economic inclusion practices and business building initiatives among disadvantaged communities, combat xenophobia through advocacy activities, provide language-learning courses for refugees and IDPs as well as engage in research work on social issues such as gender equality.

OKY provides services such as vocational training opportunities for disadvantaged youths from minority backgrounds, support centers for women survivors of violence or abuse staffed by experienced professionals providing psycho-social support counselling sessions as well as legal advice and referrals to other professionals when needed; conflict resolution programs that highlight good public policy approaches in order to prevent further violence; health education program targeted at young people about preventative healthcare measures; civic engagement including empowering young people to participate in local government systems via voter registration drives. Additionally, it organizes summer camps for children living in refugee camps or war-torn zones.

OKY is funded primarily through donations from private individuals and foundations around the world as well as partnerships with international organizations such as UNHCR (the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). Additionally, it receives funding from governments such as Switzerland and Canada who have committed financial resources towards helping vulnerable populations domestically or abroad.