Abjad Education has completed a 10-day “Community Innovation and Entrepreneurship Journey” in partnership with Damascus Governorate and the European Union, bringing together young Syrians to develop solutions to institutional challenges facing the city.
The initiative received 85 applications and selected 20 participants based on criteria that considered academic and professional diversity. Participants worked in multidisciplinary teams to study challenges presented by Damascus Governorate and develop practical responses.
The challenges included traffic congestion, parking management, occupational safety for sanitation workers, activation of public parks and promoting Damascus’ cultural heritage.
According to the announcement, the program used a participatory approach that involved young people and other community members in identifying needs and shaping solutions. Damascus Governorate said this approach is intended to support realistic, implementable ideas and strengthen community participation in urban development.
The teams presented their proposals to a specialist committee, which recognised the winning groups. Organisers said the final presentations could form the basis for broader projects, with potential support from the governorate and public and private sectors.
Abjad Education is an independent, nonprofit community education initiative founded in 2018 by Syrians around the world. It focuses on education projects for children, young people and adolescents in Syria and diaspora communities.
Source: SANA
