17 April, 2023 - This research analyzes the current state of Syrian civil society organizations (CSOs), how they interact, and what keeps them divided. It also gives suggestions for overcoming these divides for the betterment of all Syrians. Specifically, we aim to answer three fundamental questions: 1) what are the primary divisions affecting Syrian CSOs 2), what factors influence these divisions, and 3) what are possible paths towards cohesion among Syrian CSOs? 

To answer these questions, we conducted semi-structured interviews with civil society actors operating in the three main areas of Syria, government-held areas (GHAs), opposition-held areas (OHAs), and areas under the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), as well as those operating outside Syria. The findings of the research are as follows:

1.     Three primary divisions separate Syrian CSOs and act as barriers to cohesion. Foremost, they are divided across areas of control (territorial division). Within each area, they are further divided along political, social, ethnic, and tribal lines (sociopolitical division). Even within organizations, there is a substantial divide between the workers in Syria and the administrative “elites”, who are present at international dialogues and monopolize their connections to donors, and who often are residing in neighboring countries and Europe (organizational division). Importantly, these dividing lines interact, yielding a complex matrix of obstacles for CSOs.

2.     Cross-territorial dialogue occurs among the organizational elites outside of Syria, however, these dialogues are confined to high levels and do not trickle down to the civil society workers in Syria, significantly limiting their impact. 

3.     Within Syria, cross-territorial relationships vary by area of control. There is less political polarization between the AANES and GHAs, although their working relationship appears the least developed. Their lack of communication is partly due to the large geographical distances between the areas. On the other hand, despite political challenges, communication lines are stronger between CSOs in OHAs and those in the other two territories.