At the conclusion of the RISE program , active citizenship courses offered participants a space for learning and discussion dedicated to building more aware, supportive, and proactive communities. At the end of these courses, many of them—young women and men—chose to transform what they learned into concrete actions to benefit the local area and its communities.
Here are some of the initiatives undertaken, evidence of a shared journey that continues and will continue beyond the course.
Taking care of common spaces
In Al-Midan, one of Aleppo ‘s outskirts, a group of participants organized a cleaning and painting project in the warehouse of a local bakery. The activity, carried out alongside the neighborhood residents, restored dignity to a shared space and strengthened a sense of mutual responsibility.
Citizenship and women’s empowerment
One of the participants integrated the principles of active citizenship into a course dedicated to women’s development , allowing the women involved to engage with issues related to participation, rights and an active role in the community.
Other interns have chosen to spread these concepts in their own families and social contexts, helping to create small networks of awareness and dialogue.
Spaces for cultural and artistic dialogue
Another group worked to create a cultural and artistic forum , intended as a meeting place and exchange between people with diverse experiences. Through the language of art and culture, the initiative aims to build bridges and foster a climate of mutual understanding.
Rebuilding relationships between realities separated by conflict
Some have taken part in an initiative aimed at bringing together various organizations in the Aleppo governorate, separated during the conflict years by different lines of control. This process, still underway, aims to rebuild collaborative relationships and foster a shared vision of the common good.
Language volunteering for those returning from refugee camps
A group of young people have chosen to dedicate their time and skills to teaching English to people returning from refugee camps , offering a useful tool for facing new challenges of integration, study and work.
Spreading citizenship through social media
Some have launched a digital communications initiative, creating and sharing content on citizenship concepts through social media. The goal is to reach a wider audience—especially young people—and promote a culture of participation through accessible and immediate tools.
Research and in-depth analysis of the political context of the region
Finally, a young man is working on preparing a research article on the concepts of citizenship and political trends in the region, intended for publication in a specialized journal.