Implementing Agreement for the Delivery of an Accelerated Competency-Based Training (CBT) and Structured Work-Based Learning (WBL) Employment Pathways in Syria

General Background Years of conflict and economic decline have severely weakened Syria’s infrastructure, public services, labour market systems, and productive sectors, limiting opportunities for economic recovery and sustainable livelihoods. Returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), women, youth, and host communities face significant barriers to decent work, skills development, enterprise support, and access to essential services. Although the evolving recovery context creates opportunities to support voluntary, safe, and dignified returns, persistent unemployment, informality, skills mismatches, and weak local economic systems continue to hinder sustainable reintegration and social cohesion. Addressing these challenges is critical to promoting inclusive recovery, resilience, and long-term stability in affected communities. OF DS - Return and Rebuild: Advancing Voluntary Returns and Sustainable Reintegration for Syrians” The “Return and Rebuild: Advancing Voluntary Returns and Sustainable Reintegration for Syrians” project is implemented under the PROSPECTS Partnership Phase II Opportunity Fund by UNHCR, UNICEF and ILO, with a regional scope covering Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The project responds to the evolving displacement and return context following major political and economic shifts in Syria, including the December 2024 political transition and the lifting of international sanctions. These developments have created new opportunities to support voluntary, safe and dignified returns, while also highlighting the urgent need to address barriers faced by Syrian refugees, internally displaced persons and returnees, including limited access to civil documentation, damaged infrastructure, disrupted education, weak labour market systems, unemployment, and fragile social cohesion. The project seeks to create an enabling environment for sustainable return and reintegration by linking protection, education, skills development, livelihoods, enterprise