Finland's development cooperation in the Syrian crisis
Finland’s development cooperation in Syria and its neighbouring countries has promoted a sustainable solution to the Syrian conflict and strengthened the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. Finland does not currently have a country strategy for development cooperation in Syria.
In 2020, Finland contributed to the creation of aid employment for 2,347 women at the UN Women’s Oasis empowerment centre in Jordan. Similar centres have been set up in Za’atari and Azraq refugee camps and in various locations in Jordan. They offer services to Syrian refugees and Jordanian women who are in a vulnerable position. Photo: UN Women
The Syrian conflict, which began in 2011, has been one of the most severe humanitarian crises, throughout which 90 per cent of Syrians have relied on external assistance. The war forced millions of Syrians to flee their homes or the country, and the neighbouring countries’ capacity to receive Syrian refugees was stretched to the limit. The conflict increased instability in the Middle East, and its consequences spilled over into the security situation in Europe.
Finland’s strategy for development cooperation in the Syrian crisis had to be adapted to reflect the changing demands, but this was difficult because of the constantly evolving conflict. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change were also reflected in developments in Syria.
In Syria, Finland follows the common EU policy and stresses the importance of both Finland and the EU monitoring the situation and adjusting their actions accordingly.
Finland wanted to support measures that could help bring the Syrian war to an end and ease the suffering the war had caused. The objectives of Finland’s comprehensive activities in Syria are described in the strategy for development cooperation and humanitarian assistance in the Syrian crisis. In 2021–2024, Finland concentrated on strengthening the inclusiveness of the peace processes, accountability, and the application of the nexus approach in responding to the crisis. In addition, Finland promoted gender equality, the rights of people who belong to the most vulnerable groups, as well as innovations and new solutions to humanitarian and other challenges. Finland has not launched a new country strategy for development cooperation in Syria after the end of the 2021–2024 programme.
Finland’s development cooperation in Syria in 2021–2024
The focus of Finland’s development cooperation in Syria and the neighbouring regions was on peacebuilding and strengthening the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. In addition, Finland provided needs-based humanitarian assistance for the Syrian crisis. It was channelled via UN agencies, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Finnish civil society organisations engaged in humanitarian assistance.
In the 2017–2020 programming period, Finland directed funds to promote Syria’s political process and the work against impunity, to support the most vulnerable groups of people and to help Syria’s neighbouring countries in supporting refugees.
Finland’s development cooperation supporting the peace process
Finnish development cooperation supported the participation of women and minority groups in the Syrian peace process and political development.
Expected outcome: Syria has capacity for inclusive, peaceful and democratic development
- Cooperation between the parties to the peace process is strengthened
- Women are able to participate in the peace process and Syria’s reconstruction
- Syrian people’s own solutions are at the heart of the peace process
Finland’s development cooperation promoting gender equality
Finland’s development cooperation for strengthening gender equality focused on improving the position and rights of women and girls affected by the Syrian crisis in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon.
Expected outcome: Rights of women and girls are realised
- Women have access to sexual and reproductive health services
- There is less gender-based violence
- Women have improved opportunities to earn a living or become self-employed
Finland’s development cooperation to improve the rights of children and persons with disabilities
Finland promoted children's access to education and to social support, developed services aimed at persons with disabilities, and contributed widely to disability inclusion in society.
Expected outcome: The rights of children and persons with disabilities are realised
- Children affected by the Syrian conflict have better opportunities to education
- Families in the most vulnerable situation have improved access to social welfare services
- Support and income opportunities are made available for persons with disabilities
Highlights of the Results Report 2021–2024
The Syrian conflict continued for the most part of the programming period. The earthquake in Turkey and Syria in February 2023 worsened the already weak humanitarian situation. In December 2024, the opposition forces abruptly overthrew the Assad regime, ending the 14-year conflict.
Syria’s neighbouring countries Lebanon and Jordan received a large number of Syrian refugees during the conflict. The war in Gaza, which began in October 2023, exacerbated the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement and led to the bombing of Beirut in autumn 2024. This caused widespread internal displacement and aggravated the humanitarian situation in Lebanon.
Finland promoted the Syrian peace process by supporting the Syrian Women’s Advisory Board (WAB) through UN Women. WAB is composed of female members and has collaborated at a high level with the UN Ambassador to Syria. Finland also supported mediation through the Berghof Foundation and the collection of evidence on war crimes in Syria through the UN.
Finland improved access to comprehensive education, employment and protection services for women in Jordan through UN Women. During the programming period, nearly 11,000 women received services to strengthen their livelihoods through the Oasis programme. At the same time, the country's ability to respond to the refugee crisis was supported and women's leadership skills were strengthened.
Finland supported the UN Children’s Fund UNICEF in renovating 12 schools in Syria. Finland also promoted learning opportunities for 52,000 children who were out of school or at risk of dropping out of school. Learning opportunities were improved by providing course-based remedial teaching, distributing learning materials and providing early childhood education and care, among other measures. Families of persons with disabilities were also supported through social security.
In Lebanon, Finland supported UNICEF’s non-formal education programme, which benefited over 16,000 Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian children. More than 2,000 children with disabilities received financial and psychosocial support. The programme combined education, child welfare and support for families.
In all, Finland’s funding contributed to providing education for around 74,000 children and young people in Syria and Lebanon.
Finland’s support to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was used to address the needs of persons with disabilities in Syria. Their quality of life was improved by means of assistive devices and rehabilitation. A microfinance programme was used to improve the livelihoods of the families of persons with disabilities. The programme benefited almost 10,000 people, most of them persons with disabilities.
Finland’s partners in Syria
Finland directs its support to address the effects of the Syrian crisis mainly through multilateral organisations, such as UN agencies.
Several Finnish civil society organisations (CSOs) are carrying out projects in Syria and its neighbouring countries in collaboration with local organisations.