Over thirteen years of conflict in Syria has reshaped the landscape of local governance into a fragmented mosaic of formal, informal, and hybrid arrangements. This policy brief argues that rebuilding governance through rigid centralization is neither viable nor desirable. Instead, Syria’s transition demands an inclusive and pragmatic approach grounded in local realities and the flexible reinterpretation of existing legal frameworks—chiefly Decree No. 107/2011.

The brief emphasizes that local governance must be recognized as a foundational pillar of Syria’s future stability and legitimacy. Across governorates, communities have developed indigenous mechanisms for managing services, mediating disputes, and coordinating daily life. These grassroots efforts, while varied, demonstrate significant capacity and social buy-in. The policy brief calls for formally anchoring such local initiatives within the legal and institutional framework of Decree 107—particularly through mechanisms like neighborhood and local development committees—which can enhance accountability and facilitate smoother reintegration into the national system.

Rather than pursuing sweeping legal reforms, the authors propose activating underutilized elements of the existing law. These include issuing long-delayed executive bylaws, reinstating the Supreme Council for Local Administration to guide the decentralization process, and forming interim executive offices in areas lacking elected councils. The brief also recommends drafting a dynamic “National Plan for Decentralization” to manage the uneven distribution of authority across regions during the transitional period.

Fiscal decentralization emerges as another central theme. The brief urges the formalization and support of community-driven service financing—often sustained through diaspora remittances—arguing that such arrangements present a unique opportunity for bridging state-society divides and strengthening cohesion. Moreover, the transition must accommodate locally active security actors within legal structures that prevent fragmentation while ensuring human rights compliance.

Ultimately, the policy brief contends that Syria’s transition cannot be led solely from the center. It requires acknowledging the legitimacy of localized governance models, fostering national dialogue, and building incrementally on what exists. Decentralization, if implemented inclusively and adaptively, offers the most coherent path toward rebuilding a unified and resilient Syrian state.