It all starts with an idea
Since 2011 Syria has been torn by a conflict that has caused around 5 million refugees and 6 million internally displaced people. Today, half of the population is unable to meet their daily needs.
The impact of the Syrian crisis on agriculture has been devastating, leading to reduced income for rural families and consequently to weakened rural community resilience.
Notwithstanding, agriculture is a key economic sector for the local community and for Syria. It can be the starting point for the stabilization of the country. Supporting agriculture has shown to be a valid instrument to increase agricultural production and consequently the food availability in the local market. Strengthening agriculture generates employment and income, mitigates migration flows and eventually gives hope for the future of Syria.
Since 2015, the program has been actively supporting Syrian rural communities to improve their capability to face and adapt to a new war economy, providing agricultural and livestock inputs and services, strengthening the skills of local communities and creating income-generating opportunities for women.
All activities are developed addressing the specific needs and problems of farmers, breeders and women in close collaboration with the Local Council Administrations (LCA). The Programme works through a network of local technicians who play a pivotal role in ensuring a direct dialogue with rural communities, capturing their needs and identifying the necessary actions to be implemented. The strong link with LCAs and the local associations (women and technicians), encourages the reconciliation between different ethnic and religious groups by increasing dialogue, agricultural work and economic exchanges.
#Syriabuildingresilience
Objective
Improving the livelihood, the resilience and stabilization of rural communities through the strengthening of agricultural production with short- and medium-term interventions
Country
Syria
Funding Agencies
Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)
British Department for International Development (DFID)
Implementing Agency
CIHEAM Bari – Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari
Local Partners
Local Council Administrations Women associations Syrian technicians’ associations
Target Areas
Northern Syria
Sustainable development goals
1 No Poverty.
Target 1.4 : By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance.
2 Zero Hunger
Target 2.3 By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment
Target 2.a Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular least developed countries
5 Gender Equality
Target 5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life
8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
Target 8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value