Unemployment and financial insecurity are major challenges faced by women and young
people in conflict-affected communities in Syria. The lack of access to higher education and
steady income opportunities often forces individuals into cycles of dependency, exacerbating
poverty and negative coping mechanisms. In Northeast Syria (NES), many women face
compounding challenges due to socio-economic instability and limited opportunities.
In response to these needs, DCA is implementing vocational training activities to empower
women by providing practical skills training. The project focuses on enabling rightsholders to
establish home-based businesses or small enterprises. It incorporates technical training
alongside marketing and business management lessons, ensuring rightsholders are equipped
for sustainable success. Of these project participants is Amani, a 23-year-old woman,
photographed above:
“I came to the group feeling lost and confused about my future. But the training gave me a purpose, motivation, and the tools to start my journey.”
For Amani, the journey began by enrolling in the pastry-making course. The activity kicked off
with business management and marketing sessions which rightsholders appreciated as a new
aspect:
“I didn’t just learn how to bake; I learned how to make a business out of it. We also learned that best practices might seem small, but they make a huge difference when baking.”
After completing the training, DCA equipped rightsholders with tools and resources to start
working immediately from home. With her new skills, Amani began testing recipes and sharing
her products with her family and neighbours. Amani is planning to start small by selling her
products in her father’s grocery store and gradually scaling up to an online page. This
comprehensive approach combining technical skills and business knowledge, ensured that
righthanders left the program prepared to face the challenges of entrepreneurship and take
control of their future.
Amani, while preparing one of her famous recipes.
Amani, while preparing one of her famous recipes.
Amani regained her self-esteem and found a new sense of solidarity with the women in the
group. Together, they’re planning to support each other’s small businesses, creating a network
of empowered entrepreneurs. Amani’s dreams don’t stop at selling from her father’s shop.
She’s planning to launch a social media page to expand her customer base and save money to
open her own pastry shop. Visitors to her home have already expressed interest in hiring her
for festive occasions like Eid.
“”My next goal is to create a social media presence and eventually open my own pastry shop. I want to build something lasting for my future.”
For Amani, the vocational training was more than a learning opportunity. It was a lifeline. She
envisions a future where more women can pursue their passions and gain independence.
“”I encouraged women to join the vocational training group. They’ll learn skills that open doors and gain support that keeps you going. Don’t let anyone discourage you, your future is worth fighting for”
The DCA vocational training program exemplifies how targeted and contextually informed
interventions can transform individual lives, strengthen communities, and foster resilience in
the face of adversity. Amani’s journey is a testament to the power of the great impact similar
programs can have on people’s lives.
About the project
The project ‘Empowering and strengthening community resilience in NES’ was implemented between July and December 2024 reaching more than 2,200 people.
The main achievements of the project included:
- Improved psychosocial well-being for individuals, with structured support for women and children.
- Women gaining vocational skills and starting income-generating activities.
- Upgraded shelters for individuals in informal settlements ensuring safety and privacy.
- Community-driven protection mechanisms addressing local risks.
Through these interventions, it is expected that families will experience improved mental health, better economic opportunities, and more secure living conditions, paving the way for sustainable recovery.
The project was funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
