June 27, 2022 - To increase the efficiency of its work with local partners, Baytna has created several networks of partner organizations based on regions. In the Aleppo area, Baytna formed the Wasl (Connect) Network, comprising of nine established organizations.

Wasl Network is a group of local civil society organizations in the northern and eastern countryside of Aleppo, working to support Syrian civil society to play a more influential role in advocating the issues of its communities, and choosing its representatives to implement programs that serve these issues.

To get the ball rolling and effectively organize the network, Wasl organized introductory meetings in each organization's headquarter, where all the employees could meet. This was followed by a bigger meeting for all the organizations, to establish the Network’s working mechanisms and plans, and a consultation meeting between all the executives and representatives of the various members to review the strategic plans of each organization. The Network also coordinated visits to the local councils to facilitate the licensing of these organizations.

"Wasl Network is the first to target local civil society organizations and provide complete privacy and independence for the partners in designing the alliance. Today, two years after our establishment, we see that we have learned many lessons within our local context, and we can share them with others to build on them,” said Nevin Hoatry, chair of the Network’s Board.

With Baytna’s support, the Wasl Network has implemented its first project, the 10% Youth Project. This entailed numerous activities in the various cities and towns where the organizations are based. Among other activities, the project set up visits to local government institutions, civil society organizations, and judiciary offices, where members of the Network presented recommendations and suggested workable mechanisms to increase freedom of opinion, expression, and the participation of the community.

The 10% Youth Project designed five leadership skills trainings on advocacy, network management, preparing policies on political participation, and studying needs. They have already trained 120 young men and women.

Wasl Network has also created a website that aims to cover the activities of civil society in the northern and eastern countryside of Aleppo. It regularly publishes useful resources, opinion articles, and content dealing with local issues, and includes a discussion forum where regional civil society news can be shared. The site also publishes the services provided by civil society organizations, to facilitate the local community’s access to these services and encourage more people to use them.

Following its successful experience in advocating for – and monitoring – the Talaar Local Council’s elections, Wasl repeated the experience in Turkmen Bareh, where the Network participated with other civil society organizations in the electoral process, advocating for the participation of women, and encouraging people to obtain electoral cards. The Network also distributed brochures with instructions on the electoral process and how to participate.

At this point, Wasl has already observed the progress of the electoral process and monitored vote counting in four centers, where 1,116 voters cast their ballots at the polling stations to elect the 15 members of the local council, with a participation rate of 42% of women voters.

For Nevin Hoatry, the capacity of the Network and its members to keep on developing support for civil society is an important aspect: “We are still in a continuous learning phase, and this is what distinguishes us and gives us even more motivation."