The Syrian Government’s latest Five Year plan (2006-2010) addresses the, until now, limited role of civil society. Recognising that “the role of the civil associations and institutions in the socio-economic development wasn’t as good as desired”, the plan envisages “radical changes in order to activate and enhance the capabilities of the civil society role in the coming stage”.
This new vision includes the concept of new partnerships between the public, private and voluntary sectors in order to face some of Syria’s most serious socio-economic problems including illiteracy/poor skills, poverty (especially in the regions) and environmental degradation. There are currently around 1,400 officially registered associations in Syria, not all of which are active, the majority of which are charitable organisations; the Government is keen to see the creation of more developmental type bodies, modern NGOs which are more able to meet the needs of Syrian society.
The current legal framework for associations and their activities is governed by constitutional texts and the Associations and Private Institutions Law no. 93 of 1958, its Implementing Regulations, No. 1330 of 1958, and subsequent amendments introduced in 1969 under legislative decree no. 224. The 1958 law establishes the ways in which the funds of such associations may be disbursed for charitable purposes, it being understood that they will conduct their activities in the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic under the supervision of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MoSAL).
Organisations collect funds in accordance with a permit issued on the basis of the regime for public collections, established by Decision 1347 of 30 Dec 1971. Oversight of this takes place on the basis of Circular No. Kh/2/5157 of 1 Dec 1973, which sets out the powers transmitted by the Ministry to local administrative authorities. For Syrian associations to receive international funding or assistance, prior government approval must be obtained after the legality of their source has been ascertained.
MoSAL main is the regulatory body for Syrian associations. As well as a team of around six regulatory staff at the HQ level, there are between 2-5 government staff with a regulatory role employed within each of Syria’s 14 governorates.
The Syrian Government’s Planning Commission latest Five Year plan for 2006-2010 includes a radical new vision for the role of civil society. As part of this push, a new NGO law is being drafted. Proposals under consideration include a plan to change the institutional set up for government supervision of NGOs. There is also interest in exploring a potential role for NGOs in providing state-funded social services.
Civil and charitable work has long played a part in Syrian society; the first official society, “Mayal Quraysh for Charitable Action”, was created in 1880. Although there has been a steady growth in numbers of NGOs in Syria over the years, for some decades there was no active Government encouragement for the establishment of associations and/or for the development of civil society.
Since 2000 however, there has been an upsurge in interest and a new wave of non-governmental organisations have since been established, including those focusing on new areas such as the environment and youth issues. The number of associations has roughly doubled since 2003 - when the current Minister of Social Affairs and Labour (MoSAL) was appointed - and now stands at around 1400 officially registered (excluding branches). There are also some unregistered entities involved in small scale local activities.
In the past, Syrian NGOs have tended to work in isolation from each other. With the founding of the Syria Trust for Development (STfD) this situation has changed somewhat.
In 2007-8, the STfD and UNDP collaborated on an Initiation Plan to establish a platform for development-focused Syrian NGOs. Based on input from national dialogue workshops, the aim of planned “NGO Platform” is to enhance the development of civil society in Syria by providing capacity development services and an opportunity for organizations to network and coordinate activities. In turn, it is expected that the existence of the Platform will help to foster not only a strengthened civil society but better relations between civil society actors and the State.