Q. What is the Syria Trust for Development?
A. The Syria Trust for Development is a non-profit non-governmental organisation (NGO) established in April 2007.  It works independently as well as in partnership with government, the private sector and international organizations on development-related projects throughout Syria.  The Syria Trust’s projects focus on three main areas, where it can make a unique contribution: learning, rural development, and culture and heritage.

Q. What is the ultimate aim of the Syria Trust for Development?
A. The main purpose of the Trust is to inspire and empower individuals and communities throughout Syria.  It avoids projects which foster long-term dependency.  Rather, it operates through initiating and managing projects to develop capabilities, attitudes and opportunities that enable people and communities to realize their potential, take charge of their lives, and benefit their society. 

Q. What is the Syria Trust’s legal status?
A. Since April 2007, the Syria Trust for Development is legally registered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs as a Private Foundation under the Charities and Private Foundations Law of 1958.  The Trust seeks to abide by the highest professional standards in respecting and abiding by the laws and regulations of the Syrian government and ensuring that its finances are independently audited. 

Q. What is the Trust’s relationship with FIRDOS?
A. The Fund for Integrated Rural Development of Syria (FIRDOS) was established as an NGO in 2001.  In April 2007, FIRDOS became a project of the Syria Trust for Development.  Other projects of the Trust include SHABAB, Massar, Massar-e, and the more recently-established Culture & Heritage Division. 

Q. How do the objectives these different projects fit together into one vision?
A. All the Trust’s projects are about empowerment.  The Trust is about providing inspiration and capability that enable communities and individuals to take charge of their own futures.  The projects of the Trust strive to work in a comprehensive and integrated manner, act as a catalyst for change, pursue result-focused programs, manage activities in an efficient and synergetic way, and build and strength a network of relevant stakeholders.

Q. What is the Trust’s working relationship with the Syrian Government?
A. The Trust is a Private Foundation.  It works in areas where it is demonstrably the best or only solution to a specific need and avoids projects which are better done by Government, and which compete with other institutions providing public services effectively and accessibly.   When appropriate, to improve the delivery and reach of its programmes and services, the Trust seeks to add value, leverage resources and exploit complementarities by cooperating, coordinating or partnering with government agencies, other NGOs, local businesses, people and communities, and international organisations. 

Q. How does the Trust’s agenda fit into a national context that is in harmony with the Government’s priorities and the tenth Five-Year Plan?
A. Ultimately we all share a vision for Syria’s future.  There are many ways to get to that future, some of which are more appropriately done by the government and others more appropriately led by NGOs, such as the Trust.  Indeed, the government’s 10th 5-year plan introduced a focused commitment to the empowerment of civil society, particularly in the area of social development.  Like other NGOs working in Syria, the Trust takes the government’s priorities into account in when planning its activities.  In addition, the Trust collaborates and/or coordinates with the government on many of its projects.

Q. What is Mrs. Assad’s position in relation to the Syria Trust for Development? 
A. Mrs. Assad chairs the Board of Trustees of the Syria Trust, in her capacity as a Syrian citizen.  The Board’s primary responsibility is to periodically review and evaluate the strategic objectives, activities and performance of the divisions of the Trust and to ensure objectives and plans are being met and implemented in a most professional and effective way.  Management and administrative responsibilities are delegated to an Executive Management Team.

Q. How does the Trust fund its activities?
A. Funding for the Trust’s activities come from a wide mix of sources, including private individuals, the local business community, international organisations, and some governmental sources.  International donors tend to support specific projects; they include the European Union, the Italian General Directorate for Development Cooperation, UNDP, among others.  The local business community has been especially supportive over the years.  Individual projects may be developed in partnership with government; in such cases, the government may choose to support the project with a grant.  The Trust’s assets, revenues and expenditures will be outlined in its Annual Report.