Syrian Voices: Exploring inclusive solutions for peace in Syria by European Institute of Peace (EIP). Phase II, 2016-2018

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

Project aims at contributing to peace process in Syria by facilitating regular dialogues between relevant national and regional stakeholders and supporting the work of UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura. Finland has financed the first phase of the project (8/2015 - 7/2016) with EUR 400.000. On the second, two-year phase (8/2016 - 7/2018) the Finnish funding will amount to EUR 800.000. During the first phase EIP has established the structures for its Syria work and it is very well positioned between the different tracks of mediation and can bring real added value to both the UN-led track 1 and for the work of various track 2 actors. Mr. Pekka Haavisto (MP), has been nominated as president of the EIP board in October 2016. The project complements the work done by other Finnish-funded peace-building efforts for Syria.