LUGARIT has been contracted by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to design a specialized training for building stakeholders’ capacity on housing, land, and property (HLP) rights in Syria. This project aims to enhance the understanding of HLP risks among humanitarian and early recovery actors, equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to mitigate risks and ensure due diligence in their operations. Through a comprehensive training program, LUGARIT seeks to improve the protection of affected communities’ rights and contribute to the development of policies that promote equitable and sustainable urban recovery in Syria.

Project Context and Importance

The HLP landscape in Syria is exceptionally complex, shaped by a combination of pre-conflict challenges, war-related displacement, legal uncertainties, and socio-political transformations. These factors create significant risks for displaced communities, returnees, and vulnerable groups, including women and marginalized populations. Without a systematic approach to managing HLP risks, humanitarian interventions and early recovery programs could inadvertently contribute to tenure insecurity, social exclusion, or even the erosion of property rights.

Through this initiative, LUGARIT will develop and deliver targeted training modules tailored for mid-level managers and project officers involved in humanitarian and recovery programs. The training will focus on practical due diligence processes, risk assessment methodologies, and tools for integrating HLP-sensitive approaches into project design and implementation. By fostering a deeper understanding of the broader HLP ecosystem, this capacity-building effort will enable stakeholders to adopt strategies that protect rights while ensuring the long-term sustainability of recovery efforts.

Key Components and Deliverables

The project is structured into several key phases, including:

• Stakeholder Mapping and Training Needs Assessment: Identifying key actors involved in HLP-related processes and assessing their capacity gaps.

• Development of Training Materials: Producing context-specific modules addressing legal frameworks, tenure security, gender-sensitive approaches, and risk management strategies.

• Training of Trainers (ToT) Program: Equipping selected trainers with the necessary skills to scale up the dissemination of knowledge.

Expected Impact

By strengthening the capacity of humanitarian and recovery actors, this project will contribute to the safeguarding of HLP rights, the promotion of sustainable urban recovery, and the protection of vulnerable populations. It aligns with LUGARIT’s commitment to delivering pragmatic, inclusive, and impact-driven solutions for complex development challenges in the MENA region.