Training Course on Project Cycle Management

Gaziantep, Turkey – 13-16 March 2017


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On 13 - 16 March 2017, No Peace Without Justice (NPWJ) organised a “Training course on project cycle management and project design”, which was held in Gaziantep, Turkey, with the financial support of the European Commission.
 
During the training, participants - representing 15 Syrian civil society organisations - had the opportunity to go through the entire project cycle, looking at how an intervention unfolds from initial assessment to the evaluation stage, and to test various tools. The course was based on the results-based management concept and used the logical framework as a tool. The training course aimed at developing the participants’ skills in defining policy priorities, establishing achievable and concrete goals and to design actions and strategies based on the real needs as perceived on the ground rather than be driven by donors’ priorities. The course included practical exercises and analyses of concrete proposals presented by the participants.
 
Background
During the modern history of Syria, local civil society has struggled to emerge as a pivotal force able to counterbalance the traditional political and social circles of formal and informal Syrian powers. Before and after 2011, Syrian democracy advocates and civil society leaders have promoted the role of civil society organisations (CSOs), yet they often continue to be perceived as aiming at disrupting the institutional framework of the State. On the contrary, before and after 2011, many Syrian democracy advocates, Human Rights Defenders and human rights activists have been making large efforts to promote CSOs as necessary elements for creating an inclusive and democratic environment and promoting convergent socio-economic interests, which can assist in keeping together local communities and fostering human and economic development.
Civil society in Syria has evolved dramatically over the course of the current conflict. When the uprising began, more Syrians started organising themselves, united in a common desire to promote human rights. Syrian civil society has increasingly developed the breath of their knowledge and understanding of the needs of the country and on international standards and mechanisms for the protection of human rights and promotion of transitional justice. All this accumulated experience can, and has to, contribute to the foundations for a new democratic Syria.
A vital and active civil society environment is a key element for social reconstruction and for accompanying and monitoring the political transition. Civil society’s role to monitor the situation inside the country and to hold institutions and decision-makers accountable to the rule of law and human rights principles is a key element for the ongoing negotiations and, in the medium and long term, a critical tool for stabilising any future negotiated arrangement.
To ensure that Syrian civil society organisations can operate properly and professionally, it is critical to develop their organisational and financial capacities and bolster the necessary skills to strengthen their institutional capacity, including their management skills.
 
Documentation:

 
 
For further information, please contact Rami Nakhla (Syria Project Coordinator) on rnakhla@npwj.org or Nicola Giovannini (Press & Public Affairs Coordinator) on ngiovannini@npwj.org or +32-2-548-3915.