Civil society organizations united under the umbrella of İDSB and TGTV, together with the field experience of Anadolu Federation and Bülbülzade Foundation, present a vision of transitioning “from humanitarian aid to human development” for the reconstruction of Syria.
Anadolu Federation and Bülbülzade Foundation, along with a delegation from the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (İDSB) and the Turkish Voluntary Organizations Foundation (TGTV), conducted an extensive field visit covering the Syrian cities of Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, and Daraa. Following the visit, during a press conference held in Istanbul by İDSB Secretary General Eyüp Akbal, it was emphasized that activities in Syria have now moved from emergency humanitarian aid to a phase of production- and employment-oriented “sustainable development.”
AKMs: The Heart of Social Life
Bülbülzade Foundation, one of the leading organizations within Anadolu Federation, stands out as a key actor embodying this development vision on the ground. The Anadolu Cultural Centers (AKM), established under the foundation in Jarabulus, Al-Bab, Afrin, Azaz, and most recently Aleppo, have become central hubs for social rehabilitation in the region. Reaching tens of thousands of trainees through a wide range of programs from language education to technology, arts, and vocational training, these centers are rebuilding the social fabric destroyed by war through education and culture.
Social Consensus
The intellectual foundation of this process is rooted in the “Common Future Meetings” held in many cities across Türkiye since the early years of the war, continuing through the revolutionary period. Organized under the leadership of Anadolu Federation, these gatherings successfully brought together opinion leaders and social actors from the region, fostering a shared vision of resistance and reconstruction against multidimensional destruction. This deep-rooted tradition now serves as the main motivation behind the massive project portfolio worth 154 million dollars currently being implemented in Syria.
A New Era: From Aid to Development
In this new phase, in which Anadolu Federation and Bülbülzade Foundation are key stakeholders, the goal is to move beyond emergency humanitarian assistance and adopt a “sustainable development” model focused on production and employment. The delegation, accompanied by Turgay Aldemir, met with the Syrian Ministries of Labor and Social Affairs, Endowments, and Disaster Management, as well as local governorships, to discuss solutions to housing, education, and healthcare crises.
2027 Goals
One of the most critical highlights of the press conference was the strategy to completely close all tent camps by the end of 2027 and enable approximately 1.2 million displaced people to return to their hometowns. In this context, it was announced that the total volume of projects prepared by İDSB member organizations has reached 154 million dollars. Anadolu Federation and Bülbülzade Foundation place the vision that lasting recovery in the region is only possible through the construction of a strong social structure at the center of this process.
Türkiye’s Experience in Education and Urban Planning
The fact that 7,000 schools across Syria require restoration and that 2 million children remain out of education has become a top priority for civil society. The delegation agreed on transferring Türkiye’s successful education models and its tradition of foundation-based civilization to the region. In addition to planned efforts on modern urbanism and smart cities with the technical support of Istanbul Technical University, a workshop is scheduled to be held in Aleppo in June.
We extend our gratitude to all civil society organizations, as well as the İDSB and TGTV delegation, who contributed to this comprehensive field visit and future projection for their meaningful solidarity and shared will.
Through joint commissions established with public institutions and local administrations in the region, Anadolu Federation and Bülbülzade Foundation will continue their efforts to transform Syria from merely a field of aid into a strong neighboring country that rises again through investment and production.
