The rural development division of the Trust emerges to implement work on the ground through Firdos, which is a project committed to improving the living conditions in rural areas by empowering individuals and communities to enhance their self reliance. FIRDOS operates in 60 villages in 6 governorates (Aleppo, Idleb, Lattakia, Homs, Hama, Quneitra).

Its activities and projects focus on several major areas: Social Development, Economic Development and Institutional Development.

Social Development objectives:

• Build the capacities of individuals and communities according to their needs.
• Promote civic participation and investment in social capital.
• Help mitigate the impact of formal and informal institutional barriers.
• Support the socio-economic mainstreaming of marginalized groups.

Economic Development objectives:

• Help individuals and communities develop their economic assets and capabilities.
• Help create employment and other economic opportunities for community members.
• Encourage effective/sustainable investment in natural and historical resources.
• Lobby for improvement in local infrastructure to encourage economic investment.
• Support economic diversification and develop institutions that help mitigate shocks.

Institutional Development objectives:

• Contribute to organizing and structuring communities to encourage civic participation.
• Build the organizational and institutional skills of local committees.
• Support transforming local organizations (with common interests) into legal entities.
• Build communities capacities to create linkages with government, NGOs, businesses.

Since its establishment in 2001, FIRDOS has run different programs such as the Microcredit Program, the Scholarship Program, the Mobile Library, the Mobile Information Centre, the Mobile Dental Clinic, the Smart Communities, the Village Business Incubator, the Interactive Theatre and the Promotion of Concerted Sustainable Local Development Planning in Syria.