Annual Action Plan in favour of Iraq for 2021: Support to durable solutions for Iraq¿s displaced populations: integration into the national labour market and national systems for education and social protection This Action is the EU¿s first in favour of Iraq in the 2021-2027 programming period, designed in the context of the EU concluding its shift from post-crisis recovery support to Iraq through Special Measures to long-term development programming through a dedicated Multi-annual Indicative Programme (MIP) and Annual Action Plans (AAPs). In line with the MIP¿s objective to consolidate the country¿s fragile political and economic stability, this Action will aim to contribute to the government¿s efforts in addressing needs linked to protracted displacement and creating conditions for the inclusion of displacement-affected populations into national systems. Creating the conditions for access to national systems by displacement-affected populations ensures the sustainability of EU efforts in line with the durable solutions agenda and promotes the transition away from humanitarian assistance for displaced populations to a long-term development approach.Against a backdrop of political pressure to improve service provision and end the displacement crisis, it is ever more urgent to reform service provision in Iraq for the benefit of all Iraqis and to create the conditions for displaced populations to access national identification documents, to benefit from essential basic services such as education and social protection, and to engage in decent jobs. The Action focuses on the reform of the national labour market, national education and social protection systems, whilst addressing significant obstacles in governance. As such, the Action contributes to the objectives of the three priority areas of the MIP for Iraq, notably through its foci on job creation for the youth; human development around education and social protection; and digital governance reforms for durable solutions. By tackling the challenges of protracted displacement and creating the conditions for the displaced populations¿ integration into national systems, the Action responds to the EU¿s pledges at the Conferences on Supporting the Future of Syria and the region in 2020 and 2021 (EUR 75 million), thereby continuing with the humanitarian-peace-development nexus approach (the triple Nexus).This Action is aligned with Commission priorities of Migration and Mobility, Sustainable Growth and Jobs, and Digitalisation. The Action will mainly work towards SDGs 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and economic growth), and 10 (reduced inequalities). The Action will also contribute to the Team Europe Initiative on `Sustainable and inclusive socio-economic perspectives for Iraq¿. Applying a triple Nexus approach, the Action capitalises on prior and ongoing EU¿s interventions and is in line with the partner country's priorities of addressing protracted displacement and finding durable solutions for displacement-affected groups. It aims to place Iraq people's needs at the centre of policy decisions, stabilisation and reforms efforts. In light of the ambition to support the creation of a social contract, building human and social capital, the Action focuses on mutually reinforcing interventions, maximising innovation, fostering synergies and engaging communities and civil society as well as leveraging private investment. To ensure effectiveness, the Action proposes the continuation of programmatic approaches with trusted partners that demonstrate a strong absorption and implementation capacity.