Intersecting inequalities exacerbate the negative impacts of crises on marginalised people’s lives. Yet there is a gap in knowledge about the layered effects of marginalisation and protracted crises, what this means for how those with pressing needs cope and access social assistance in particular contexts, and how to tackle the interlinked material, emotional, relational, and socio-political influences. This research addresses this gap through generating understanding about the social assistance experiences of marginalised people in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), and insights into how safer, and more dignified, inclusive, effective, and accountable provision might be fostered through inclusive participatory processes. During phase 1, we used qualitative, narrative, creative, and participatory methodologies with peer researchers, disabled women in Sulaymaniyah, and rural young people from Halabja. Phase 2 brought participants and the research team together to collectively analyse the data generated in phase 1, co-construct video outputs on key insights, and develop recommendations and solutions. Phase 3 involved participants in dialogue to influence social assistance stakeholders and developing their own actions to improve the dignity of provision processes.