Over a decade into one of the most prolonged displacement crises of our time, Syrian young people continue to demonstrate extraordinary determination to learn, grow, and build futures for themselves and their communities. Years of instability have left over two million children out of school inside Syria, and UNICEF reports that more than 7,000 schools have been damaged or destroyed since the conflict began. Yet talent does not disappear because opportunity is absent. It waits for someone to bridge the gap.
At Jusoor, meaning "bridges" in Arabic, our mission is to maximize the potential of Syrian youth through education. We are the leading organization supporting Syrian access to higher education globally. Founded in 2011 by Syrian diaspora members in the private sector, we are non-political and non-religious, and we serve both Syrian and host-community youth. Our four core programs — Refugee Education, Scholarships, Entrepreneurship, and Career Development — operate across the Levant, Asia, the United States, and Europe. Since 2025, we have been registered and operating inside Syria itself, delivering programs on the ground in Damascus, Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, Latakia, Deir Ez-Zour, Harasta, and beyond.
Key Insights
Two million children remain out of school inside Syria. Despite the post-Al-Assad period opening new possibilities for access and reconstruction, the education crisis is far from resolved. UNICEF estimates more than 7,000 schools have been damaged or destroyed, and the World Bank has assessed Syria's total reconstruction costs at $216 billion for the period spanning 2011 through 2024. The need for sustained, community-driven investment in education has never been greater.
Credential recognition is one of the most overlooked barriers. Syrian students who earned diplomas at universities or education centers operating outside centrally administered systems during the conflict frequently find their qualifications unrecognized when they seek to continue their studies or enter the workforce abroad. Advocacy for more inclusive recognition frameworks at the institutional and policy level is an underutilized lever for change.
Education centers are not schools, and the distinction matters. In Lebanon, education centers are informal learning environments that are legally distinct from government-certified schools. Referring to them correctly as "education centers" is both a legal requirement and a reflection of the complex operating environment in which we work. Our centers, including Bourj Hammoud Center in Nabaa, Chalhoub – Jusoor Jeb Jennine Center in West Bekaa, and Jurahiya Center in the Middle Bekaa, provide essential, safe spaces where learners would otherwise have no access to education at all.
Syrian youth are not a monolith. The Syrian community spans Lebanon, Jordan, Türkiye, Europe, and now, increasingly, a rebuilding Syria. Learners come from Damascus, Aleppo, Idlib, Deir Ez-Zour, Latakia, and every corner of the country. Effective support is tailored, place-based, and responsive to the specific realities of each community, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Host communities matter too. Our programs benefit both Syrian and host-community youth. Supporting Syrian youth education is not a zero-sum proposition; it is an investment in the resilience and social cohesion of entire communities across the Levant and beyond.
Since 2025, we have been inside Syria. For years, operational and sociopolitical challenges meant our programs ran exclusively outside Syria. That changed in 2025, when Jusoor became a registered NGO in Syria and began implementing projects on the ground. The post-Al-Assad period has opened doors that were previously closed, and we are committed to meeting this moment.
Scholarships create a multiplier effect. Scholars who complete their degrees go on to give back, lead, organize, and engage in their communities. Our scholarship alumni are future engineers, social scientists, doctors, and community leaders. Each investment in one scholar ripples outward across families and communities for generations.
How to Support Syrian Youth Education in 2026
Donate
Every contribution helps us bridge the opportunity gap for talented, motivated young Syrians and their communities. We accept USD, CAD, GBP, and EUR, and our platform converts dozens of currencies into these. Donations above $500 receive a tax-deductible receipt automatically. For receipts on donations under $500, contact fundraising@jusoor.ngo.
We are a registered charitable organization in six countries:
- United States — 501(c)(3), EIN #45-3842245
- United Kingdom — #1154168
- Canada — #85063 3371
- Jordan — #202101110029
- Lebanon — #24-2023
- Syria — #4391
Support the Refugee Education Program (REP)
Our Refugee Education Program serves young learners from Early Childhood Education (ECE) through Secondary Education across Lebanon through education centers and partner schools. Current REP initiatives include Azima (our online education initiative), the Early Childhood Education "Seeds of Light" Intervention, and the Primary Education Program. To get involved, contact rep@jusoor.ngo.
Fund a Scholarship
Our Scholarships Program supports talented Syrian and Syrian-Palestinianscholars pursuing bachelor's and master's degrees worldwide. Current initiatives include the Open Call Scholarships, Jusoor-UWC Scholarships, 100 Syrian Women 10,000 Syrian Lives, High School Scholarships, and scholarships at Syrian universities for scholars facing unexpected financial crises. To learn more, contact scholarships@jusoor.ngo or visit jusoor.ngo/scholarships.
Back an Entrepreneur
Our Entrepreneurship Progra nurtures Syrian founders, small business owners, and dreamers building livelihoods through initiatives including the Small Business Accelerator, Startup Roadshow Project, Championing Women in Business Leadership Project, Disruptors Project, Scale Beyond, and the Bridges to Syria Launchpad residency for Syrian startups. Contact entrepreneurship@jusoor.ngo to explore partnership.
Equip Future Talent through the Career Development Program
Our Career Development Program connects qualified young Syrians to dignified work through private-sector partnerships and upskilling pathways including Future Skills and Remote Talent Pathways: Jusoor Elkom. To explore corporate partnership, contact fundraising@jusoor.ngo.
Mentor a Scholar or Entrepreneur
Our Mentorship Program pairs professionals from around the world with motivated Syrian scholars and entrepreneurs. It runs from June through November each year, with applications opening around April. Explore mentorship at jusoor.ngo/mentorship.
Advocate for Recognition and Access
If you work in academia, policy, or professional licensing, you can advocate for inclusive credential recognition frameworks that allow Syrian students' qualifications to be accepted across borders. Connecting us with institutional partners who want to open their doors to Syrian talent is one of the most impactful things a supporter can do.
Partner as an Organization or Company
Corporations, foundations, and academic institutions can partner with us to fund programs, co-create career pathways, or hire skilled Syrian alumni. We welcome partners committed to economic inclusion, resilience, and long-term community impact. Contact fundraising@jusoor.ngo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jusoor's mission?
Jusoor is an international NGO with the mission of maximizing the potential of Syrian youth through education. Our tagline is "Bridging the Opportunity Gap." We were founded in 2011 by Syrian diaspora members and are non-political and non-religious.
Who do Jusoor's programs serve?
Our programs benefit both Syrian and host-community youth across the Levant, Asia, the United States, and Europe. Scholarships are open to Syrians and Palestinians from Syria only.
Does Jusoor operate inside Syria?
Yes. Programs ran exclusively outside Syria until 2024 due to sociopolitical challenges. Since 2025, Jusoor is registered as an NGO in Syria and is implementing projects on the ground in Damascus, Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, Latakia, Deir Ez-Zour, Harasta, and other locations.
What do Jusoor's scholarships cover?
We offer bachelor's and master's scholarships only. We do not currently fund PhD programs, medical degrees, or English-language exam fees. Most of our scholarships are open to transfer students. Scholarships are open to Syrians and Palestinians from Syria.
Can Jusoor help with resettlement or family sponsorship?
No. Jusoor focuses exclusively on education and economic opportunity and does not handle resettlement or family sponsorship requests. For resettlement support, we refer community members to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
How do I donate, and will I receive a receipt?
We accept USD, CAD, GBP, and EUR. Donations above $500 receive a tax receipt automatically. For receipts on donations under $500, contact fundraising@jusoor.ngo. In the United States, Jusoor is a 501(c)(3) organization, EIN #45-3842245.
When does the Mentorship Program accept applications?
The Mentorship Program runs from June through November. Applications typically open around April. Visit jusoor.ngo/mentorship for current information.
Is Jusoor affiliated with any political or religious group?
No. Jusoor is explicitly non-political and non-religious. All staff, volunteers, contractors, and partners are screened through Amber Road sanctions and terrorist screening.
How does Jusoor protect the privacy and dignity of the people it serves?
We do not publish or share any visual or descriptive content showing community members receiving aid. Anyone featured in our materials has given explicit consent through our multimedia consent process. Faces of individuals who have not consented are blurred.
How can I contact Jusoor directly?
- General fundraising and partnerships: fundraising@jusoor.ngo
- Refugee Education Program: rep@jusoor.ngo
- Scholarships Program: scholarships@jusoor.ngo
- Entrepreneurship Program: entrepreneurship@jusoor.ngo
- Website: jusoor.ngo
