Realising Syria's potential

Before the start of the war in Syria in 2011, an estimated 97 percent of the country’s children attended primary school. By 2013, violence in the hardest-hit areas had caused school attendance to plummet to 30 percent. This collapse presents an undeniable crisis for Syria’s next generation. Some estimate at least 100,000 university qualified students are now refugees.

In 2011, when a group of Syrian expatriates traveled to Syria and saw firsthand the large number of youth with untapped potential but no access to quality educations, they decided to act. The expats launched Jusoor, which seeks to use the collective power of the large Syrian diaspora to help Syrian youth attain quality educations in top institutions.

Over the ensuing years, Jusoor expanded, and now reaches over 2,000 children and youth annually, 75 percent of whom are refugees. The organization administers a scholarship fund that has sent over 700 Syrian students to international universities, including its flagship 100 Syrian women, 10,000 Syrian lives program to support women with leadership potential.

Through its Refugee Education Program, it serves around 1,200 children in Lebanon per year, enabling them to successfully transition to public schools. Lastly, Jusoor runs a youth entrepreneurship program, which in 2019 trained over 500 Syrians and provided US$150,000 in seed funding.

What began as a small effort among friends has become a global movement, spearheaded by Syrians living abroad and supported by eight board members and a team of staff.

Today, Jusoor’s total network has reached more than 130,000 individuals, including youth living in Syria and in neighboring countries as refugees, as well as individuals who contribute their time and money. Included in this network are over 220 volunteers who mentor youth, provide administrative support, and work in Jusoor’s schools.

In 2019, Jusoor raised $1.7m, primarily from Syrians committed to supporting youth education. This included donations of under USD 5,000 each from more than 3,500 individuals, as well as contributions of over $20,000 each from more than 20 foundations and philanthropists.

Looking ahead, Jusoor plans to expand its network and programs, such as growing the Jusoor Entrepreneurship Program in the MENA region and bringing its Career Development Program fully online. By doing so, it is investing in innovative and sustainable ways to empower Syrian youth to build a brighter future for their country.