Syria Strategy Project (SSP)

A Multilateral Policy Initiative for Syria’s Future

Project Overview

In 2024, Madaniya played a key role in the Syria Strategy Project (SSP)—a landmark multilateral initiative led by the Atlantic Council, in partnership with the Middle East Institute (MEI) and the European Institute of Peace (EIP). The SSP was launched in response to the accelerating collapse of the Assad regime and the urgent need to develop practical, long-term strategies to address Syria’s humanitarian, economic, and political crises.

The project convened over eighty Syrian and international experts, representatives from more than 25 governments, and key institutions including UN agencies and Syrian civil society organisations. Its core aim was to generate actionable policy options for international and regional stakeholders, rooted in Syrian realities and informed by sector-specific expertise.

As a leading Syrian partner, Madaniya ensured meaningful civil society participation across all levels of the project. This included:

• Active contributions to thematic working groups on governance, accountability, security, humanitarian aid, economic recovery, and the political transition;
• Co-drafting technical policy papers and strategic briefs from a Syrian civic perspective;
• Facilitating direct engagement between Syrian civil actors and international policymakers, helping bridge the gap between local priorities and global policy discussions.

Through its involvement, Madaniya championed a civic-led approach that placed Syrian voices and experiences at the heart of future-oriented policy design.

Project Objectives

The Syria Strategy Project was designed to:

• Develop concrete, implementable policy recommendations to guide international engagement with Syria during and after the Assad regime;
• Align international policy with the priorities of Syrian civic actors and conflict-affected communities;
• Build consensus around core pillars of transition: inclusive governance, accountable security, economic stabilisation, and humanitarian access.

By centring Syrian ownership and transatlantic coordination, the project aimed to offer a realistic and principled roadmap for Syria’s recovery, stability, and reintegration into the international community.

Key Outcomes

Over the course of one year, the SSP produced:

• Six thematic working groups, addressing core challenges in governance, justice, security, humanitarian response, and reconstruction;
• 13 strategic policy papers and 40+ expert interviews, based on over 30 roundtables and focus groups;
• The flagship report: Reimagining Syria: A Roadmap for Peace and Prosperity Beyond Assad This report outlines a comprehensive, Syrian-informed vision for transition, rooted in civic agency, human dignity, and long-term stability.

Explore policy recommendations and civic strategies for Syria’s future beyond the Assad regime.