The design of the intervention aims to promote active citizenship and social cohesion among Syrian refugee and host-community youth by maintaining a safe community center in Hatay, Turkey. Following the 2023 earthquake, the center provides essential spaces for youth to connect, learn, and grow through educational, recreational, and life-skills activities. Addressing protection challenges such as economic instability, violence, and limited services, the center offers critical support, including legal consultations and referrals. Violet's extensive experience empowers youth with civic skills, resilience, and economic independence, fostering a collaborative spirit for positive community change. The center nurtures a leadership culture by strengthening civic engagement, bridging social gaps, and supporting a resilient, inclusive community.
Turkish Government Entities in Hatay:
Regulatory Support: Facilitate necessary permits and align the project within Turkey’s legal and protection frameworks.
Service Provision: Provide foundational legal and protection services for refugees and host communities, collaborating to strengthen service access and responsiveness in light of increased demands.
Economic and Social Support: Support initiatives that enhance refugee employment and integration, coordinating with local organizations to promote sustainable outcomes.
Local Organizations and Service Providers:
Community-Based Services: Deliver on-the-ground support, including legal aid, psychosocial support, and protection services, responding to specific needs in Hatay.
Collaboration with NGOs: Act as key partners in community outreach, helping bridge the gap between host and refugee populations and ensuring culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
Job and Skills Training: Offer skill-building programs that complement economic integration goals, helping create pathways to employment for youth and vulnerable groups.
NGOs as humanitarian actors:
Youth Empowerment: Develop and run programs that engage youth in skill-building, leadership, and civic activities, fostering active citizenship and resilience.
Humanitarian Support: Provide financial, legal, and social aid to address post-earthquake challenges and build a cohesive community environment.
Community and Economic Integration: Facilitate programs that promote harmony and collaboration between host and refugee groups, initiate small-scale economic activities, and provide job placement assistance.
International Agencies:
Funding and Technical Support: Supply resources and expertise for project implementation, ensuring international standards are met.
Capacity-Building and Training: Offer specialized training and tools to strengthen local organizations’ abilities to effectively meet protection, legal, and social needs.
Advocacy and Policy Guidance: Advocate for refugee rights and integration while coordinating with local authorities to align with regional and global frameworks.
Local Businesses:
Economic Opportunities: Partner with the project to create job placements, internships, and vocational training for youth, promoting self-reliance and economic integration.
Community Engagement: Support social responsibility initiatives, aiding the project in fostering community cohesion through sponsorships, in-kind donations, or mentorship programs.
Job Creation and Market Access: Help expand access to the local job market for trained refugee and host community youth, contributing to economic stability.
Educational Institutions:
Training and Skill Development: Offer training programs in relevant skills, from technical trades to language courses, supporting youth education and employability.
Research and Needs Assessment: Conduct assessments and research that inform project design, adapting it to meet local needs and evolving trends.
Community Awareness and Social Integration: Facilitate integration through multicultural events, workshops, and dialogues, creating spaces for youth from diverse backgrounds to connect.
Objective 1: Empower vulnerable youth through skills development, sports, and community initiatives at a multipurpose center.
Key Outputs:
Life Skills Training: 500 youth (250 male, 250 female) trained in communication, job applications, computer skills, and the Turkish language.
Sports Activities: Leagues and chess competitions for 500 youth (250 male, 250 female).
Recreational Activities: Engaging programs for 1,000 children (500 boys, 500 girls).
Community Initiatives: Support for 500 youth (250 male, 250 female) in youth-led projects.
Documentation: Attendance sheets, reports, feedback, and satisfaction surveys.
Activities: Workshops, sports/recreational activities, youth-led initiatives.
Implementation: Small group sessions with refreshments, participant-designed sports activities, regular progress reports, and feedback meetings.
Objective 2: Facilitate access to protection and legal services in a community-led space for vulnerable youth and their communities.
Key Outputs:
Protection & Legal Awareness Sessions: 1,000 participants.
Social Cohesion Events: Community-building activities for 500 participants.
Psychosocial Support (PSS): Group sessions for 600 individuals.
Documentation: Attendance sheets, session/event reports, photos, and feedback.
This approach combines training, recreational activities, and legal services to empower youth and foster community cohesion.
Risk: Negative coping strategies (e.g., reduced food consumption, child labor, domestic violence) worsen protection concerns.
Mitigation: Provide legal and psychosocial support (PSS) through the center, with referrals to specialized agencies for comprehensive care.
Rising Economic Strain
Risk: Financial hardship increases risks like early marriages, violence against women, and child labor.
Mitigation: Offer life skills training, economic self-reliance workshops, and entrepreneurial initiatives to reduce harmful coping mechanisms.
Limited Access to Protection and Legal Services
Risk: Barriers based on legal status, location, and other factors restrict access to essential services.
Mitigation: Use the center as a safe access point for awareness sessions, linking individuals to specialized providers through a referral system.
Community Tensions and Social Division
Risk: Socio-economic strain and refugee influx increase tensions, bullying, and discrimination.
Mitigation: Foster social cohesion through sports, recreational activities, and community events promoting interaction and understanding.
Limited Funding and Service Availability
Risk: Funding shortages could hinder service provision and sustainability.
Mitigation: Adapt services based on community feedback, optimize resources, and advocate for funding from local and international partners.
Youth Disengagement
Risk: Lack of engagement opportunities may lead to youth disengagement and decreased self-reliance.
Mitigation: Provide a safe space for youth-friendly workshops, community initiatives, and leadership training to foster empowerment and civic engagement.
Lack of Resilience and Collective Action
Risk: Weak community structures reduce advocacy and collaborative efforts.
Mitigation: Strengthen resilience through leadership training, participatory events, and activities promoting collective action and responsibility.
This comprehensive strategy addresses protection, economic, social, and community challenges through targeted interventions and support systems.
Desired change
- Providing Safe, Inclusive Spaces: The center will offer a welcoming venue where young people feel safe to gather, socialize, and engage in activities that encourage civic participation and collaboration. This safe environment will help reduce isolation and foster a sense of belonging, particularly for marginalized groups.
- Inspiring and Educating Youth: By inviting experienced Syrian activists and organizing workshops on leadership, advocacy, and practical skills, the center will build young people’s confidence and equip them with tools to address local challenges. Learning directly from role models who have enacted positive change will inspire youth to become proactive in their communities.
- Supporting Civic Engagement and Ownership: The center will encourage young people to lead community initiatives, volunteer, and engage in civil society efforts. Providing resources for youth-driven projects will help them build ownership and leadership skills, fostering active citizenship and a sustainable culture of community involvement.