It has been around a month since we first launched Bridges to Syria, an initiative that is marking the next chapter for Jusoor and Syria. We are positively overwhelmed with all the excitement and engagement we have seen from so many who are eager to contribute and be part of this chapter. The conversations that have taken place in this short time have only reinforced our belief that this initiative is needed—and that there is immense potential in bringing together expertise and actionable ideas towards the educational sector in Syria.
Through ongoing discussions with partners, community members, and local and global experts, we are continuing to shape our understanding of where Jusoor can play the most meaningful role. Below, we share some of the progress we’ve made, critical discussions that remain open, and a call for experts who can help guide this initiative forward.
Progress We Have Made
- Hiring a Country Manager: The recruitment process for a Country Manager in Syria is underway. This role will be critical in ensuring Jusoor’s work on the ground is aligned with real needs, helping to facilitate partnerships, coordinate logistics, and oversee the implementation of education and entrepreneurship initiatives.
- Preparations for a Research White Paper: Work has begun on a white paper examining the future of education in Syria. This research will help map the current gaps in education, propose potential solutions, and serve as a guiding document for long-term initiatives. Discussions are underway with researchers and institutions to contribute expertise and data, ensuring that the findings are both comprehensive and actionable.
- Preparing for Field Engagement: Plans are in motion for Jusoor’s fieldwork inside Syria, where we will directly engage with schools, educators, and local leaders.
- Strengthening Partnerships: Conversations with local organizations inside Syria have been progressing, particularly around teacher training programs, school rehabilitation, and vocational training efforts. We are identifying key players in the education sector who can serve as long-term partners in scaling meaningful initiatives.
- Community Listening & Engagement: Since launching this initiative, we have received an overwhelming response, offering insights, expertise, and recommendations. These perspectives are shaping the way we think about the role Jusoor can play inside Syria. We encourage more voices to be part of this dialogue—if you haven’t already shared your thoughts, we welcome you to do so here.
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Call for Experts, Sign Up and be Part of this Initiative
To make meaningful progress, we are looking for experts and advisors in education (curriculum development, accreditation, sustainable school models), AI and digital learning, and mental health who are interested in contributing insights, advising on strategy, or supporting the implementation of future programs. If you have expertise in any of these areas and want to be involved, please fill out our expert & advisor interest form so we can reach out to you.
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Key Discussions in Progress
- Navigating sanctions and operational constraints—understanding how international regulations shape the way NGOs can work in Syria and identifying avenues for impactful, compliant engagement in education and development.
- Balancing policy engagement with direct implementation. While programmatic execution and impact is central to Jusoor’s ethos, there is also a growing conversation around how education policies can be shaped to support long-term structural change.
- Strategic partnerships and sustainable collaborations have also been central to our conversations. With many organizations working inside Syria, we are identifying the best ways to complement existing efforts, ensuring that initiatives are locally driven, scalable, and not duplicating existing work.
- An urgent need to rebuild and strengthen the education system to accommodate returning students. The restoration of schools—whether through rehabilitating existing infrastructure or establishing new learning centers—requires careful consideration of cost, feasibility, and long-term sustainability.
- Discussions on curriculum development and teacher training have underscored the importance of preparing educators for the realities of reintegrating students after years of disrupted education. There is a need to ensure that returning students have access to a structured curriculum, while teachers receive the support they need to address diverse learning gaps.
- Strengthening collaboration between Syrian universities and renowned international institutions, creating pathways for knowledge exchange and integrating global best practices into Syria’s education system.
What’s Next?
In the coming weeks, we will continue engaging with education experts, policymakers, and local organizations to refine the direction of Bridges to Syria. A key focus will be on identifying operational schools or looking at rehabilitating schools—assessing what it takes to restore existing facilities while exploring the feasibility of establishing new learning centers. Parallel to this, we are deepening discussions on curriculum development and teacher training to ensure returning students can seamlessly integrate into structured learning environments. Our collaboration with local educators will help shape the necessary resources and training programs. Additionally, we will begin hosting expert consultation sessions to gather insights on scalable education models as well as trauma-informed learning, directly informing the development of pilot initiatives Jusoor aims to implement.
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We invite you to stay engaged, contribute your insights, and help us shape the next steps of this initiative. Together, we can build the future that Syria deserves.
