The Strategic Sustainable Development Organization (SDO) is an independent NGO based in Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, working to encourage development across the Middle East. SDO empowers people to fully participate in sustainable development through monitoring, research, training, advocacy and outreach. SDO is not affiliated with any political party, movement or ideology. It aims instead to enhance capacities of individuals, groups and organizations to engage with policy makers, and to enhance relationships between the government, political actors and civil society. SDO responds to the demands of both civil society and local communities to render them active participants in decision-making, stimulating inclusive and participatory processes.

SDO uses a variety of approaches in its operations that engage both local communities on a grassroots level and actors on a policy level. Convinced that sustainable change can only be achieved through a process in which bottom-up engagement and top-down reform intertwine, it seeks to empower local communities to get involved in development process, while also advocating for policy reforms. SDO works on strengthening the relation between citizens and institutions following an inclusive approach which ensures the representation of local communities, youths and women.

On a grassroots level, the SDO builds the capabilities of individuals and entities through training and awareness raising activities and does capacity building of CBOs. To ensure the sustainability of its actions SDO promotes multiplying and replicable approaches such as Training of Trainers and peer to peer exchange of expertise. The described methodology assures at the same time the direct engagement of the beneficiaries in the actions, while fostering direct participation and engagement on the long term.