At Jusoor, we receive many of the same thoughtful questions from donors, volunteers, students, and partners around the world. People want to understand who we are, whom we serve, and how their support translates into real change for Syrian youth. Since 2011, we have worked to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity for young people affected by conflict and displacement, and our work has grown steadily over the years, reaching communities across the Levant, Türkiye, Europe, the United States, and, since 2025, inside Syria itself. Still, with four distinct programs, a global community of supporters, and operations across several countries, we recognize that our structure can raise as many questions as it answers. This guide brings together the questions we hear most often about our mission, our programs, our eligibility criteria, and the many ways you can get involved. Whether you are considering your first donation, exploring a volunteer opportunity, or simply want to understand how we use the funds entrusted to us, we hope the answers below give you the clarity you are looking for.
Key Insights:
- We are a non-political, non-religious NGO founded in 2011, registered as a 501(c)(3) in the United States and as a charitable organization in five other countries.
- Our work spans four core programs: Refugee Education, Scholarships, Entrepreneurship, and Career Development, plus Bridges to Syria since 2025.
- Our scholarships and entrepreneurship opportunities are open to Syrians and Palestinians from Syria, regardless of political or religious background.
- We hold a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency and publish our annual reports and financials publicly.
- Supporters can get involved through monthly giving, volunteering, mentorship, or hiring remote Syrian talent, not only through one-time donations.
Who We Are and What We Believe
Jusoor, meaning bridges in Arabic, is an international non-governmental organization founded in 2011 by a group of Syrian diaspora members working in the private sector. Our mission is to maximize the potential of Syrian youth through education, and our tagline, Bridging the Opportunity Gap, reflects our belief that talent is universal even when opportunity is not. Learn more about our history and team on our About Us page.
We are a non-political, non-religious organization with strictly no ties to any political or religious entity. This principle shapes every partnership we build and every program we run. Jusoor is registered as a US 501(c)(3) organization, and as a charitable organization in Canada, the United Kingdom, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. For more than a decade, we have grown into the leading organization supporting Syrian access to higher education globally, while continuing to expand our reach across early childhood education, entrepreneurship, and career development.
What Are Jusoor's Core Programs?
We organize our work through four core programs, each addressing a different stage of a young Syrian's educational and professional journey.
Our Refugee Education Program (REP) supports displacement-affected children in Lebanon, from early childhood classrooms through the Brevet stage, helping students catch up on years of interrupted schooling and transition into formal education systems.
Our Scholarships Program (SCH) connects talented, determined students with funding and partner universities around the world. Alongside university scholarships, our High School Scholarships initiative has already provided more than 900 scholarships to displacement-affected students, helping younger learners stay in school long enough to reach university.
Our Entrepreneurship Program (ENT) incubates and invests in Syrian-led startups and small businesses across the region through mentorship, training bootcamps, and competitions, including our long-running Startup Roadshow.
Our Career Development Program (CDP) equips Syrian youth with 21st-century, future-ready skills. Through Jusoor Elkom, our remote talent pathways initiative, we connect trained candidates directly with employers seeking dignified, remote work opportunities.
Since 2025, we have also operated inside Syria itself through Bridges to Syria. In its first year, this initiative trained 90 teachers, supported baccalaureate exam preparation for 36 high school students across seven Syrian cities, and connected academics in the diaspora with their Syria-based counterparts. Read more about our first year of programming inside Syria.
Who Is Eligible for Our Programs, and Where Do We Work?
Our scholarships and entrepreneurship programs are open to Syrians and Palestinians from Syria, wherever they are based, whether in Lebanon, Jordan, the Levant and Türkiye more broadly, or the wider diaspora. We do not select participants based on political affiliation, religion, or ethnicity, and we describe the young people we serve by where they are from, such as students in Harasta or a Syrian entrepreneur from Aleppo, rather than by sect or ethnicity.
The scale of need remains significant. As of early 2024, about 2.4 million Syrian children remained out of school, and one in three schools inside Syria could no longer be used for education due to damage, destruction, or other uses, according to UNICEF. This is precisely the gap our four programs, and now Bridges to Syria, are built to help close, one classroom, one scholarship, and one mentorship match at a time.
How Can I Support or Get Involved With Jusoor?
Financial support remains the most direct way to help. On our donation page, you can make a one-time gift or set up a recurring monthly donation in US dollars, Canadian dollars, British pounds, or euros. Supporters who prefer to give through appreciated securities can also explore donating stock. As a registered 501(c)(3), donations to Jusoor are generally tax-deductible in the United States, and UK taxpayers can claim Gift Aid. Read more in our guide on the tax benefits of charitable giving.
If you would rather give your time, our get involved page outlines several paths. Our summer volunteer program places volunteers directly in our education centers in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley for a three-week commitment. Our Career Mentorship Program pairs professionals with young Syrian job seekers for a three-month online mentorship. Businesses can hire remote Syrian and Levantine talent through Jusoor Elkom, and anyone can launch a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign on our behalf.
How Does Jusoor Stay Accountable to Donors and Partners?
We know that trust is not something an organization can simply claim. It has to be demonstrated. We publish our annual reports and financials publicly, and in for several years in a row, we earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, the highest level of nonprofit transparency recognition available. You can read more about our full approach to governance and financial stewardship on our Transparency and Accountability page.
As a non-political, non-religious organization, we also conduct sanctions and counter-terrorism screening, along with on-the-ground due diligence, on every volunteer, staff member, contractor, and partner organization before we begin working together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jusoor do?
We are an international, non-political, non-religious NGO that maximizes the potential of Syrian youth through education, running four core programs: Refugee Education, Scholarships, Entrepreneurship, and Career Development, alongside Bridges to Syria inside the country itself.
Who is eligible for Jusoor's scholarships and programs?
Our scholarships and entrepreneurship opportunities are open to Syrians and Palestinians from Syria, regardless of where they currently live, and without regard to political affiliation, religion, or ethnicity.
Is Jusoor affiliated with any political party or religious group?
No. We are strictly non-political and non-religious, and we screen every partner, contractor, and staff member to uphold that independence.
Does Jusoor operate inside Syria?
Yes. Since 2025, we have legally operated inside Syria through Bridges to Syria, training teachers, supporting high school exam preparation, and helping launch early-stage startups, in addition to our long-standing programs across Lebanon, Jordan, and beyond.
Is my donation to Jusoor tax deductible?
Jusoor is a registered 501(c)(3) organization in the United States, so donations are generally tax-deductible, and UK taxpayers can claim Gift Aid. We recommend consulting a tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
How can I get involved with Jusoor besides donating?
You can volunteer in our education centers in Lebanon, mentor a young professional through our Career Mentorship Program, hire remote Syrian talent through Jusoor Elkom, or launch a fundraising campaign on our behalf.
Conclusion
Every question in this guide points back to the same idea: opportunity should not depend on where a young person happens to be born. For more than a decade, we have worked to close that gap for Syrian youth through education, mentorship, and dignified work, and since 2025, we have carried that same commitment inside Syria itself. If any part of our work raised a new question, our team is always glad to hear from you. In the meantime, there are many ways to become part of this story. You can donate to Jusoor to support scholarships, classrooms, and startups, or explore all the ways to get involved as a volunteer, mentor, or partner. Together, we can keep bridging the opportunity gap for the next generation of Syrian youth.
