Baytna Projects
Baytna conducts a wide variety of projects inside Syria, outside Syria, and on its online platform.
These are some examples of successfully implemented and supported initiatives over the years.
Rituals Album Project
Baytna’s rich work with Syrian civil society has consistently shown that empowerment takes different forms, through a variety of channels. Amongst the projects supported by our Online program’s grants, in the category of creative solutions, culture, and technology, is Rituals, a beautiful album of classical Arabic music released this month by the very talented Syrian musicians Yammen Jazbeh (on qanun) and Ayman Jesry (on oud).
Women's Support and Empowerment Unit
The Unit is one of the organizations Baytna supports and funds in Syria, is a non-profit civil society organization that launched in 2018 with a conference attended by more than 150 women from Aleppo's northern and eastern countryside. The Unit now has over 500 members from all around the countryside of Aleppo, from Afrin to Jarablus.
Life Skills Retreat for Azaz Youth
Some of the best learning and bonding experiences happen to be gained outside regular settings. Despite the difficulties finding appropriate locations given current circumstances in Syria, the Baytna-supported Antame project recently embarked its participants to a retreat of sorts on the outskirts of Azaz, for a very special training.
Reforesting Campaign of the Janudiyah City
Through their work with young men and women in the community, the female leaders of the "Basmat Janudiyat" organization seek to implement pioneering projects in the region that have not been done before, to maintain the renewal of the civil work and not to implement projects executed by other organizations, in order to avoid wasting resources and to participate in supporting the area with what it really needs.
A Campaign in Jarablus to Save Water
In Jarablus, a small city in northern Syria situated close to the Euphrates River whose population has greatly increased with the arrival of displaced persons, the issue of water safety has been an increasing concern. Jarablus Cultural Forum, supported by Baytna, has been working to raise awareness on this and other local community issues, through mobilization and advocacy campaigns.
Funded by Baytna, the Museum of Activism shows how peaceful activist movements around the world are uniting humanity. Activism exists in numerous forms and, at its core, is peaceful action to bring about positive change.
From Syria, Black Lives Matter, Native American and Hong Kong activism, to Me Too, Climate Strike and Occupy, powerful grassroots activism is changing our world.
Musharaka
Launched in 2016 by Baytna, Mouwatana and the Research and Management team, with support from the International Organization for Electoral Systems, Musharaka was designed to help Syrians residing in Turkey engage in political and social decision making to promote democratice, participatory and inclusive practices. Three main activities centered around a Women's Forum, a Youth Forum, and a Dialogue Forum, all focused on strengthening notions of citizenship, combating violent extremism, promoting community dialogue, and building partnerships among the components of the society, as well as promoting employment opportunities.
Towards Good Governance
Baytna was proud to support this advocacy campaign launched by the Eastern Mediterranean Institute, to instill on beneficiaries the importance and the advantages of power sharing in northern Syria, specifically in the region of Aleppo and Idlib.
Syria Women
This project supported the feminist movement in the Qabasin area, both by forming new women teams and by supporting existing groups. This involved providing a safe space where women can meet, spreading awareness about the importance of women’s participation in all areas of life. It also included providing Training of Trainers courses for women leaders, to increase the reach and the participation of women in civic leadership.
Women’s Development Center
This project offered Syrian women the chance to play a a more active role in society and learn important skills to increase their employment potential, such as communication skills, planning, and time management. The project was carried out by a group of activists from the Syrian civil movement in Eastern Ghouta, reaching over 700 women.
Musharaka
Launched in 2016 by Baytna, Mouwatana and the Research and Management team, with support from the International Organization for Electoral Systems, Musharaka was designed to help Syrians residing in Turkey engage in political and social decision making to promote democratice, participatory and inclusive practices. Three main activities centered around a Women's Forum, a Youth Forum, and a Dialogue Forum, all focused on strengthening notions of citizenship, combating violent extremism, promoting community dialogue, and building partnerships among the components of the society, as well as promoting employment opportunities.
Towards Good Governance
Baytna was proud to support this advocacy campaign launched by the Eastern Mediterranean Institute, to instill on beneficiaries the importance and the advantages of power sharing in northern Syria, specifically in the region of Aleppo and Idlib.
Syria Women
This project supported the feminist movement in the Qabasin area, both by forming new women teams and by supporting existing groups. This involved providing a safe space where women can meet, spreading awareness about the importance of women’s participation in all areas of life. It also included providing Training of Trainers courses for women leaders, to increase the reach and the participation of women in civic leadership.
Syrian Youth for Change
Baytna’s project focused on empowering youth to participate in political processes and contribute to practical solutions that advance the development of their communities. The youth were trained on human rights, and on increasing students' networks knowledge of the political process in Syria, including the role of the international community, Security Council resolutions, and the various bodies present in the political process.
Citizenship and Leadership Courses
This popular training, led by one of the most experience trainers in the field, explored numerous concepts and ideas, including identity, belonging, assumptions, dialogue, trust, systems, systems thinking, challenges of system thinking, positive investigation, power of questions, and creative leadership.
Shanshin Forum
Derived from the concept of the “King’s Council”, this forum was established in the Jazirah region as a gathering place for Syrian civil society organizations and cultural, political, and social elites to meet and discuss all topics of interest. This initiative aimed at restoring the space for interactive dialogue between different segments of society that had been destroyed by the regime.
Syrian Employment Development Training
The project provided training to Syrians in Turkey, ranging from employability skills to job hunting and interviewing, to entrepreneurship. Participants learned about the different roles of the private sector, government, and organizations, and collaborated to determine what knowledge and skills young people should be taught to find rewarding work. The training also focused on providing assistance to youth in transition to employment, advising them on work-related opportunities, necessary skills, and career pathways.
Hanin Cultural Forum
Established in 2015 with the support of Baytna, the Hanin Cultural Forum is composed of Syrian women working on promoting Syrian arts and culture among Syrian refuges outside of Syria. Baytna hosted most of its activities for almost 3 years, and supported the Hanin Choir as of 2017 with a grant allowing them to include a professional musician to train the choir and to organize public events.
Domino
Domino worked to provide an understanding on the meanings of democracy, and the concepts of civic education, including citizenship, rights, and duties. Three YouTube episodes were created to include reports on the various topics, under the leadership of an established independent Syrian journalist, whose work has included making films with PBS and photography for international organizations such as MSF.
Brilliant Souls
Baytna supported an initiative by renowned photographer Kamal Uogly to train Syrian youth on modern photography. Attracting much interest, the initiative organized the Brilliant Souls Exhibition to showcase the photography of young Syrians and Turks, displaying the fifty best photos submitted out of a total of over 28,000.
Women Entrepreneurs
Baytna supported this legal and economic empowerment initiative for Syrian women implemented by the Innovative Voluntary Team. It introduced young Syrian women to legal matters in Turkey, especially in economic terms, and educated them about their rights. The initiative also aimed at motivating women refugees in Turkey to enter the entrepreneurial world efficiently, and to create ideas and pilot projects that are competitive and sustainable in the market.
Professional Behavior and Communication Skills
The training provided youth with skills such as understanding appropriate on-the-job behavior, defining communication skills, preparation for job interviews, dress code and fair use of resources, discrimination and harassment, oral and written communication, dealing with difficult people, dealing with problems, teamwork and work-life balance.
Ayadi
Ayadi, is an innovative, interactive play addressing the role of men and women in life, beginning at home and ending with politics, through a series of scenes played only with hands only. It reflects on the importance of balance and equality between men and women in Syrian society. The play was performed by a group of young men and women in Gaziantep, with the support of Baytna.