Call for Proposals: Political Engagement and Discourse Spaces for Syrian Diaspora

1. Background and Rationale

After over 13 years of conflict, resulting in devastating impacts on its people and infrastructure, people of Syria were able to overthrow Assad regime on 8^th December, that became the most important historical day in the modern history of Syria.

With over 7 million Syrian refugees scattered across the globe, the Syrian diaspora has become one of the largest in the world, with individuals facing numerous challenges in engaging politically and contributing to the discourse surrounding their country’s future. Despite the desire to return, the realities of a destroyed country and restrictions on mobility in host countries have kept many Syrians in exile.

However, for the first time in over a decade, many Syrians are cautiously optimistic about a future where they may be able to return to their homeland without fear of being persecuted or disappearing. As Syrians worldwide long to participate in shaping the new Syria, the need for spaces to facilitate meaningful political engagement and discourse has never been more urgent.

         2. Project Goal

The aim of this project is to empower and engage the Syrian diaspora, particularly leftist Syrians living abroad, by creating spaces for political discussions that address their most pressing issues. These discussions will allow participants to engage with one another, share their visions on Syria, and contribute to the political discourse that shapes the future of the country.

        3. Scope of Work

We are looking for consultants, organizations, or individuals to propose projects that can facilitate politically engaged spaces for leftist Syrian refugees. The proposed project should create opportunities for dialogue, discussion, and reflection on the most critical challenges facing Syria and its people in the context of the post-conflict period.

The tasks for the selected consultant or organization will include:

• Creating and facilitating political discussion spaces for Syrian refugees abroad, focusing on themes such as governance, transitional justice, equality, and Syria's post-conflict future.
• Developing content that will guide the discussions and enable participants to effectively articulate their concerns and hopes for the country.
• Engaging the diaspora community, particularly leftist Syrian refugees, and ensuring that marginalized voices within the community are heard.
• Providing a final report with key insights, recommendations, and a summary of the discussions held, capturing the views of the participants and contributing to a broader political discourse.

      4. Project Timeline

The project should be implemented within three months.

        5.Qualifications and Requirements

The selected applicant must have:

• Proven experience in organizing and facilitating political discussions and workshops, preferably in the context of post-conflict societies or refugee populations.
• A deep understanding of Syrian political dynamics, leftist ideologies, and the challenges faced by Syrian refugees.
• Ability to create inclusive, engaging spaces for dialogue, with particular attention to marginalized voices.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, both written and oral.
• Fluency in Arabic and/or English, with excellent writing skills in both languages.
• A strong alignment with the RLS values, and leftist ideology.