Local Recovery Needs Assessment and Technical Feasibility Assessment in Wadi Barada (Syria)

Project title: Mobilizing Agriculture for Zone Recovery Approach and Advancement (MAZRA)
Donors: Crisis Support Center (CDCS) - French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (French MoEFA)
Period of the assignment: 8 weeks
Starting date: ASAP.
Geographic scope: Rural Damascus (Wadi Barada: Der Mkaren, Kfaer Azzeat, and Ein Al-Fejeh)
**INTRODUCTION**
About Expertise France
Expertise France is France’s public agency and interministerial actor in charge of international technical cooperation, the second largest in Europe. As a subsidiary of Agence Française de Développement Group (AFD Group), it designs and implements projects that sustainably strengthen public policies in developing and emerging countries. Expertise France works in key areas of development: governance, security, climate change, health, education, and more. Alongside its partners, it contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within its Peace, Stability and Security Department, the Stabilization & Resilience Unit delivers multi-sectoral recovery programs in fragile and conflict-affected contexts through an integrated territorial approach that bridges emergency response and long-term resilience. EF has developed a strong track record in stabilizing essential services, including health systems, in crisis-affected regions through tailored, locally grounded solutions.
**CONTEXT**
Syrian conflict
Fourteen years of conflict in Syria have severely disrupted livelihoods, weakened food systems, and increased economic vulnerability, leaving millions unable to meet their basic food and income needs. Widespread displacement, damaged infrastructure, economic collapse, sanctions, and climate-related pressures have significantly affected agricultural production, local markets, and employment opportunities across the country. While the establishment of a transitional government in December 2024 marked the beginning of a recovery phase, communities continue to face major challenges in accessing sustainable livelihoods and affordable food.
Women, youth, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and vulnerable households remain among the most affected groups, with limited access to income-generating opportunities and productive resources. Rural communities continue to struggle with damaged agricultural infrastructure, water scarcity, and limited market access, while MSMEs face financial and operational constraints that hinder local economic recovery.
Despite ongoing humanitarian assistance, significant gaps remain in food security and economic recovery efforts. Weak institutional capacity, fragmented governance, and continued dependence on external aid limit the sustainability of recovery initiatives and economic growth.
**EXPERTISE FRANCE IN SYRIA**
In Syria, Expertise France has maintained a continuous presence since 2013, expanding its operations from Northwest Syria to Northeast Syria in 2019 and Damascus and Rural Damascus in 2025. Its programmes have mobilized over €75 million and reached more than 3.8 million direct beneficiaries across sectors including Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL), Health, Civil Society Support, Gender Empowerment, and Climate Change Response. Through partnerships with more than 90 local CSOs and over 150 grants, EF has supported economic recovery, agriculture, vocational training, and local resilience through a localized and participatory approach.
The MAZRA program aims to promote inclusive and integrated community recovery in prioritized rural areas across Syria through an Area-Based approach focused on food security, sustainable livelihoods, and rural revitalization. Building on the lessons learned from SABIR, the program places particular emphasis on restoring agricultural systems, strengthening local economies, and improving community resilience.
Through locally led and multi-sectoral interventions implemented in partnership with local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), local authorities, and relevant technical institutions, MAZRA will support the rehabilitation of community infrastructure, strengthen agricultural value chains, improve market access, and create livelihood opportunities for vulnerable groups, including youth and returnees. The program will also promote inclusive governance, social cohesion, and capacity building for local agricultural and municipal institutions to improve coordination and long-term recovery planning.
To achieve these goals, MAZRA is structured around four specific objectives:

- SO1 strengthening access to essential community infrastructure and services through locally led rehabilitation efforts and sustainable management mechanisms.
- SO2 strengthening the resilience and sustainability of agricultural production systems and local farming actors.
- SO3 enhancing market access and livelihood opportunities for youth, returnees, and vulnerable community members.
- SO4 providing tailored technical assistance to community, municipal, and regio