Approximately 17,000 Syrians have been released from Al Hol camp thus far, predominantly women and children. Challenging reintegration efforts, women who lived under ISIS face ongoing stigma and alienation from communities, including women’s groups. Stigmatization prevents certain groups from accessing community spaces, public forums and services. In addition, it contributes to the high level of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and violence against women in politics that has been normalized throughout society but often goes unrecognized as violence. Wiaam III will support community reintegration by providing community centers in areas of high density returns that offer safe spaces for returnees, while also funding key service gaps that contributed to stability.

After ISIS control in NES, tribal groups, civil society, and local authorities are striving to restore essential services and meet critical needs. However, progress is fragmented and hindered by disputes and conflicts and distrust among these groups prevents effective coordination. This creates an opening for malign actors like the Assad Regime, Iranian proxies, ISIS sleeper cells, other radical groups and Turkish-aligned groups to exert influence through patronage networks or by sowing discord within local communities. Wiaam III’s social cohesion approach involves engaging the widest number of the people in the community, promoting inclusivity, and working with neglected social groups, ethnic groups, and minorities.

In NES, local government bodies face significant hurdles in effectively communicating with citizens and addressing their needs. With limited budgets, inadequate equipment, lack of administrative skills, less developed regulations, and a lack of qualified staff, engaging constituents becomes a challenge. As a result, reform-minded actors encounter difficulties in establishing sustainable engagement mechanisms. Within this constrained environment, civil society struggles to build consensus and platforms that amplify the diverse voices of Syrians and hold authorities accountable. Wiaam III seeks to address these challenges by strengthening civil society through advocacy, enhancing essential skill sets, fostering coalition building, and engaging political stakeholders.