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Knowledge. Leverage. Impact.
Knowledge. Leverage. Impact.
LUGARIT is a dynamic think-and-do tank that facilitates the interaction of stakeholders involved in international development processes in the Middle East and Africa.
LUGARIT is a dynamic think-and-do tank that facilitates the interaction of stakeholders involved in international development processes in the Middle East and Africa.
Navigating the volatile and complex eco-systems of the Middle East and Africa, decision makers can no longer depend solely on classical, time-consuming research, analysis, and strategies. What's essential today is a real-time, deep understanding and nuanced advice - insights that keenly reflect the rapidly evolving local contexts, risks, and opportunities. This knowledge is crucial for enabling effective planning and timely adjustments.
Navigating the volatile and complex eco-systems of the Middle East and Africa, decision makers can no longer depend solely on classical, time-consuming research, analysis, and strategies. What's essential today is a real-time, deep understanding and nuanced advice - insights that keenly reflect the rapidly evolving local contexts, risks, and opportunities. This knowledge is crucial for enabling effective planning and timely adjustments.
We are here to provide this timely, tailored, and high-quality knowledge. We are committed to supporting communities and institutions in leveraging their resources and ingenuity, to foster “real” development on the ground.
We are here to provide this timely, tailored, and high-quality knowledge. We are committed to supporting communities and institutions in leveraging their resources and ingenuity, to foster “real” development on the ground.
As an independent, socially responsible, for-profit organization; LUGARIT operates autonomously, maintaining a neutral and impartial stance in all our endeavors.
As an independent, socially responsible, for-profit organization; LUGARIT operates autonomously, maintaining a neutral and impartial stance in all our endeavors.
Year: 2025 - 2026
Client: UN-Habitat
LUGARIT designs specialized training to strengthen stakeholders’ capacity on housing, land, and property (HLP) rights in Syria. The project equips humanitarian and recovery actors with tools to assess risks, enhance due diligence, and integrate HLP-sensitive approaches, ensuring more effective, equitable, and sustainable urban recovery efforts.
Year: 2024 - 2025
Client: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
A project to support peace and reconciliation in Syria by engaging with civic actors and community leadership. Through dialogue, public discussions, workshops, and stakeholder consultations, the initiative strengthens grassroots activism and promotes inclusive dialogue, aiming to build a resilient foundation for Syria’s future.
Year: 2024 - 2025
Client: SALAR International, Sida
LUGARIT, contracted by SALAR International and funded by Sida, mentors local governance actors in Algeria, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, and Syria. Through capacity-building, this initiative strengthens decentralization, policy dialogue, and participatory governance. It fosters a regional Community of Practice, supporting policy research, strategic planning, and cross-border collaboration to drive effective local governance reforms.
Year: 2022 - 2025
Client: UN Women
A research, facilitation, and outreach project aims to empower Syrian women in peace processes by enhancing the Women’s Advisory Board's capacity, expanding outreach to women leaders, and developing research for evidence-based policies on women's issues in Syria.
Year: 2022 - 2024
Client: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
A project aims to improve track 1.5 and 2 negotiations in the Syrian peace process using a digital tool for dialogue facilitation. The project focuses on scenario simulation and consensus building among political actors and mediators, producing policy papers to facilitate peacebuilding. The project targets local and national reconciliation, emphasizing early recovery.
Year: 2024
Client: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
An interactive online platform that facilitates scenario-based dialogue for peacebuilding and conflict resolution. By integrating simulations, strategic gameplay, and real-time analytics, it enables stakeholders to test strategies, negotiate agreements, and explore solutions in complex conflicts. The platform bridges field realities with policy-making, fostering collaboration and informed decision-making.
Date: 23 April 2025
Publisher: LUGARIT, Omran Center for Strategic Studies
Syria’s authoritarianism was upheld through systemic strategies of centralization by weakening local and regional governance. This paper warns against reinstating this model post-conflict and calls for an inclusive approach to reintegrating the territory. Sustainable recovery, the authors contend, hinges on empowering middle and local levels with real authority and institutional capacity.
Date: December 2024
Publishers: Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) , LUGARIT
A paper examines Syria’s volatile landscape following the collapse of the Assad regime, highlighting fragmented governance, economic collapse, and persistent security challenges. It proposes gradual transition frameworks, economic opportunities for refugee reintegration, and context-specific constitutional dialogue, emphasizing the need for international consensus and inclusive governance to stabilize and rebuild the country.
Date: May 2023
Publisher: EU - European Union
A Roadmap outlines strategies for EU collaboration with Syrian CSOs, focusing on their historical evolution, community legitimacy, legal challenges, and donor relations. It emphasizes the need for inclusive, sustainable approaches, and highlights four priority areas: representation, democracy, public wellbeing, and self-constitution.
Date: September 2022
Publisher: LSE - London School of Economics
A research report investigates the complex history of Syria's administrative divisions post-independence, examining political, economic, and social factors influencing the creation and renaming of governorates. It highlights how demographic, service, and political motives, including centralization and regional influences, shaped these changes, with specific case studies illustrating broader trends.
Date: 01 May 2025
An article proposes six principles to guide Syria’s path toward civil peace, emphasizing inclusive citizenship, restorative justice, state legitimacy, and meaningful participation. It calls for rejecting sectarian narratives and engaging all Syrians in rebuilding a shared future—through dialogue, institutional reform, and a renewed social contract grounded in dignity and equality.
Date: 22 April 2025
This paper examines conflict in Baʿshiqa, highlighting how the Iraqi education system’s emphasis on religious difference perpetuates discrimination, especially against Yazidis. It calls for inclusive reforms that acknowledge diverse histories, foster shared humanity, and promote equality, justice, and psychosocial support as foundations for sustainable peace and social cohesion.
Date: 17 April 2025
Multilayered sanctions and widespread overcompliance risk entrenching Syria’s economic fragility and obstructing its post-conflict recovery. This brief calls for a pragmatic shift in international policy—enabling essential services, local governance, and institutional reform—through a phased, risk-managed approach that balances accountability with the urgent need for stabilization and inclusive reconstruction.
Date: 15 April 2025
An article examines how Syria’s post-regime constitutional declarations reshape national identity. It highlights a shift from pan-Arabism to territorial nationalism, the re-emergence of Islamic jurisprudence, and the constitutional recognition of diversity. While offering a new vision, the paper stresses that true identity will emerge through inclusive practice and implementation.
Date: 20 March 2025
A study examines conflict dynamics in Tal Afar. Although it appears peaceful, underlying conflicts persist due to alliances between select tribal leaders and hashd al-shaʿbi, at times manipulating aid access and reinforcing patron-client ties. While sectarian divisions are overstated, Sunni-Shiʿi intermarriages persist. Young residents advocate for equal rights, merit-based employment, and fair access to services, challenging entrenched power dynamics.
Date: 11 March 2025
Syria's economic recovery faces significant hurdles, including depleted resources, sanctions, and a dominant informal sector. Rapid liberalization risks inflation, requiring careful economic governance. Balancing reforms with a social safety net is crucial. Transparent monetary policies, an independent central bank, and regulatory integration are essential for stability and sustainable economic growth.
Date: 20 February 2025
A study examines conflict dynamics in Telkeyf, revealing that divisions stem from historical social hierarchies rather than ethnicity or religion. It highlights demographic shifts, armed group interference, and ineffective conflict resolution. The study calls for legal reform, access to justice, and economic revitalization to foster sustainable peace and social stability.
Date: 21 January 2025
A paper examines Sinjar's interconnected conflicts, including insecurity from armed groups, impunity for genocide perpetrators, land disputes, and challenges faced by Yazidi women and children. It critiques ineffective resolution mechanisms and emphasizes the need for political solutions, justice reforms, and inclusive recovery efforts to rebuild trust and foster lasting peace.
Date: 3 January 2025
An article examines governance challenges in post-Assad Syria, emphasizing the need for structural reforms, economic recovery, and social reconciliation. It highlights lessons from Idlib's governance while stressing the importance of adapting to diverse contexts. Achieving legitimacy, fostering inclusivity, and balancing stability with economic growth are critical for sustainable national governance and recovery.
Date: 8 October 2024
An article examines the intercultural challenges local NGOs in the MENA region face when partnering with international entities. It highlights issues like power imbalances, communication differences, and misaligned goals. It offers solutions, including capacity building, transparent governance, and cultural sensitivity, to foster equitable, effective, and sustainable partnerships for long-term community development.
Date: 1 October 2024
A paper analyzes Tunisia’s decentralization efforts post-2011, revealing how political conflicts, especially between central parties, obstructed local governance reforms. It argues that the focus on the normative legal frameworks missed deeper political issues, ultimately leading to recentralization of the political system under President Saied, under the guise of maintaining national unity and control.
Date: 21 September 2024
A conversation discusses how heritage, especially intangible cultural practices, can foster peace in conflict settings like Syria. The dialogue highlights the role of heritage in rebuilding social cohesion and economic resilience and urges immediate action on heritage-based peacebuilding, even amid ongoing conflict, to preserve shared identity.
Date: 15 September 2024
An article explores the Arab world's democracy crisis, tracing it to unresolved identity issues from post-colonial state formation. Contrasting with Europe's democratic evolution, it highlights how Arab efforts remain incomplete, as the region struggles with achieving equal citizenship and disentangling civic from military rule, rather than church-state separation.
Date: 20 August 2024
An article explores the evolving rapprochement between Damascus and Ankara, highlighting its potential impact on Syria's future and regional stability. It examines the challenges and opportunities in shared security, economic cooperation, refugee returns, the fate of armed factions as well as the implications for the Syrian opposition, emphasizing the need for strategic dialogue to shape a unified Syria.
Date: 06 August 2024
Historic marketplaces, or souks, in the Arab region once thrived as economic and social hubs but have declined due to economic shifts. Revitalizing them raises ethical and economic questions, with success depending on strategic public investments, stakeholder engagement, and innovative approaches to ensure these markets contribute meaningfully to modern urban economies.
Date: 30 July 2024
LUGARIT experts discuss the importance of decentralization in Syria's early recovery in an interview on Al Madina FM radio. They highlighted how local governance, linked to economic decentralization, can empower communities, drive sustainable recovery, and create conditions for the return of refugees and displaced persons, despite centralization challenges and limited donor resources.
Date: 26 July 2024
An article explores various interpretations of citizenship in Syria, advocating for a middle ground that integrates individual and group rights. Drawing on Will Kymlicka’s theory, it emphasizes constitutionalizing group rights to protect minorities, while ensuring that group rights do not infringe on basic individual rights of their members, to achieve a balanced, inclusive framework for Syria's democratic transition, avoiding sectarianism and majority dominance.
Date: 23 July 2024
An article advocates for leveraging living heritage in conflict zones like Syria to support peacebuilding. It critiques traditional top-down heritage conservation approaches and emphasizes the need for inclusive, community-focused strategies that integrate socio-economic development, promote social cohesion, and respect diverse local traditions and histories for sustainable peace and recovery.
Date: 9 July 2024
An article explores the Syrian Constitutional debate, highlighting the tension between identity and citizenship. It argues that both principles are essential for a cohesive state, discussing religious and linguistic diversity, and illustrating how respecting identity and guaranteeing equal rights can coexist within a constitutional framework.
Date: 2 July 2024
An article presents a framework to analyze the drivers behind the transition from highly centralized to decentralized governance, focusing on power balances, legitimacy, economic challenges, peripheral uprisings, and external factors, illustrating through global case studies the complexity and context-dependence of effective decentralization.
Date: 25 June 2024
The Syrian refugee crisis is a complex issue entangled in political, economic, and social challenges. With no immediate solution in sight, stakeholders either lack the will or capability to address the crisis. Political agreements and localized solutions are crucial to improving conditions and facilitating refugee return.
Date: 20 June 2024
An article discusses the challenges of "reconciliation" in Syria, critiqued as synonymous with surrender. It advocates for an inclusive, Syrian-led dialogue addressing justice and integration issues, essential for preventing further fragmentation and fostering national unity under the complexities of current political and social divisions.
Date: 04 June 2024
The Brussels conference marked a shift towards early recovery in Syria, focusing on empowering communities and revitalizing the local economy. This approach requires leveraging local resources, changing donor mindsets, and fostering new local leadership. Effective early recovery hinges on balancing humanitarian aid, political reforms, and practical, inclusive solutions for long-term stability.
Date: 25 May 2024
An op-ed argues for reconciliation in the Arab region, both within states and with external neighbors, to end internal conflicts and begin true reform for stability. It critiques the prolonged conflicts fueled by political naivety, external influences, and lack of mature political dialogue. The piece calls for embracing community recovery, rule of law, and democratization through dialogue and reconciliation, rather than awaiting external intervention or victory in conflicts.
Date: 21 May 2024
An article explores how to enhance Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) processes during the early recovery of war-torn countries. It emphasizes the need for transparency, inclusivity, and sustainability, advocating for TPME to evolve from evaluators to partners in development, ensuring aid effectiveness and meaningful community engagement
Date: 2 April 2024
An article examines the role of urban centrality in economic accumulation and its impact on urban-rural divides, highlighting how these dynamics contribute to civil unrest and complicate post-conflict recovery. It advocates for decentralized governance and economic inclusivity to bridge these divides and foster sustainable peace and development.
Date: 26 March 2024
Decentralization in the MENA region emerges as a crucial pathway for addressing systemic issues of marginalization and uneven development exposed by the Arab Spring. It offers a framework for enhancing local governance, fostering stability, and reconciling divided societies by decentralizing power, thereby laying the groundwork for sustainable peace and development.
Date: 19 March 2024
An article examines the unintended humanitarian impacts of sanctions and the phenomenon of overcompliance, highlighting the challenges it poses to non-sanctioned entities, particularly in conflict zones like Syria. It emphasizes the need for a nuanced approach to mitigate these impacts, advocating for clearer guidance and dialogue between sanctioning bodies and affected stakeholders.
Date: 05 March 2024
An article explores the impact of gender dynamics on societies at war to derive a deeper understanding of how the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda can reflect its focus on women to shape a more nuanced analysis of conflict drivers. Analyzing territories from a gender lens, it argues for a more nuanced approach to peace negotiations to address the complex dynamics of conflict.
Date: 27 February 2024
An op-ed discusses the shift towards integrating humanitarian aid, development, and peacebuilding (the triple nexus approach) to improve early recovery in conflict zones. It highlights the need for innovative financial instruments and strategies that support community resilience, sustainable development, and peace, based on lessons from the limitations of traditional humanitarian aid.
Date: 20 February 2024
An interview critiques the traditional approach to heritage preservation as disconnected from modern societal needs, arguing for a more inclusive and dynamic model. We highlight an approach to blend heritage with daily community life and economic incentives to ensure it remains relevant and preserved within the fabric of modern urban life.
Date: 13 February 2024
An op-ed discusses the imminent youth bulge in the Arab region, pointing to past unrest and highlighting the complex interplay of factors like governance, economic crises, and demographic shifts. It stresses the urgency for regional actors to de-escalate conflicts, foster economic-security cooperation, and improve governance to mitigate future crises.
Date: 23 April 2025
LUGARIT co-organizes a workshop at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor in Damascus to discuss NGO legislation in Syria. The event gathered government officials, civic leaders, and legal experts to explore regulatory reforms. Key discussions focused on legal frameworks, civic autonomy, transparency, and inclusive engagement across Syria’s diverse regions and governance contexts.
Date: 24-25 February 2025
We participate in the Syrian National Dialogue Conference, where Zedoun Al Zoubi led the Facilitator Team, and Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj contributed to discussions on the economy. The event gathered 900 in-person participants, while over 10,000 Syrians shared their views through an online questionnaire, shaping recommendations for Syria’s transitional leadership.
Date: 22-23 February 2025
We facilitate a UNDP workshop in Damascus on Syria’s transitional local governance. The two-day event gathered experts from all of Syria to discuss the future roles of local authorities in service provision, peacebuilding, and economic recovery. Key outcomes included mapping the different frameworks for local authorities in the different parts of the country, identifying points of conversion to ensure the territorial unity of Syria and strengthening governance networks. The workshop fostered collaborative dialogue and actionable policy insights.
Date: 21 February 2025
LUGARIT and Omran launch research findings on governance, services, and the economy in Syria on the eve of the Assad regime’s collapse. The study, based on a multi-sectoral survey, highlights governance fragmentation, service disparities, and economic instability. Findings were recently published in three joint research papers.
Date: 18 February 2025
We participate in a BICC roundtable on Syria’s post-regime collapse challenges, highlighting structural issues, territorial fragmentation, governance concerns, and humanitarian aid limitations. The discussion explored urgent aid, peacebuilding, and HDP Nexus collaboration, emphasizing inclusive governance, economic reforms, and recovery for Syria’s future.
Date: 13 February 2025
We join the Syrian Democratic Alliance’s podcast to discuss the intersection of national identity and economy in Syria, emphasizing economic justice as key to social cohesion and highlighting challenges in reconstruction, governance, and institutional reform. The discussion explored how inclusive economic policies can help rebuild trust and unity.
Date: 05 February 2025
We participate in the GLD Policy Roundtable on Syria’s future, examining fragmented governance, economic instability, and transitional justice challenges. The panel stress the need for locally driven, inclusive governance and sustainable economic recovery. LUGARIT’s expert highlights the risks of top-down solutions and the urgency of national dialogue and economic stabilization.
Date: 17 January 2025
A guidebook on nurturing social capital and leveraging it for community cohesion and welfare. Developed by Niuversity and Afkar Plus based on a workshop organized by LUGARIT’s Partner Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj. The guide simplifies key concepts and offers practical insights into fostering trust-based networks for sustainable development. Published under a Creative Commons license, the guide provides accessible knowledge to empower communities and support inclusive, trust-driven approaches to social and economic progress.
Date: 12 September 2024
LUGARIT facilitated a PeaceGame play session at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, part of the Executive Program on Conflict and Fragility Management. The session, centered on the Syrian civil war, provided mid-career professionals with hands-on experience in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Participants praised its realistic approach to negotiations and strategy-making.
Date: 28 August 2024
LUGARIT’s consultant, Jadd Hallaj, presents independent research on preserving moated homesteads in Northern Europe at the RGS-IBG Annual Conference 2024. The work combines digital mapping and community engagement to protect these cultural landscapes, addressing the impact of urban sprawl on historical sites in Flanders.
Date: 23 August 2024
We participate in a high-level panel at the University of Fribourg, discussing the complexities of power-sharing agreements in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. The event, part of the Institute of Federalism’s Summer University, explored challenges in adopting and sustaining these agreements for long-term peace.
Date: 23 August 2024
We speak during a EuroMed Feminist Initiative and Duderi NGO event, discussing the crucial role of civil society organizations in Syria's education sector, and emphasizing the need of leveraging their role to support formal institutions to ensure scalability and harmonization of educational outputs.
Date: 23-24 May 2024
We speak at the "Economic Empowerment and Sustainability Conference in Syria" in Istanbul, emphasizing the importance of microfinance in fostering economic resilience and sustainability in Syria, highlighting its role in early recovery and in creating employment and leveraging local resources.
Date: 08 May 2024
We speak at a closed regional consultation held by UNDP. The presentation focused on the role of post conflict recovery in ushering development and stability in the Arab region. The regional consultation event aimed to inform the upcoming Arab Human Development Report 2025, focusing on sustainable development through improved governance, regional cooperation, and equitable policies.
Date: 02 May 2024
We facilitate an event at the UN House in Brussels that discusses the dual roles of Syria's private sector in economic recovery and civic engagement. Organized by the UNDP, London School of Economics and partners, this gathering aims to enhance the sector's impact on Syria's societal and economic development.
Date: 29-30 April 2024
We speak at the UN ESCWA workshop addressing strengthening public governance in post-conflict Arab regions. We discuss effective local governance frameworks, drawing on case studies from conflict situations, and emphasizing the critical role of bottom-up reforms and municipal empowerment in service delivery.
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