Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze in Damascus on 15 January 2025

    Deutsche Version Platform “A New Beginning for Syria”

    In December 2024, the people of Syria toppled the government of President Bashar al-Assad. A transitional government has been formed. It is headed by the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is one of the main opposition militias that toppled the former government using military means. It is uncertain what the future may hold for the country following the change in power. One thing, however, is very clear: a window of opportunity has opened for positive developments in Syria. The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is prepared and ready to support Syrian society in making a fresh start, and to assist in building a country that guarantees security, freedom and basic rights for all its citizens.

    Many individuals and representatives of civil society, municipalities, academia and the private sector wish to support the new beginning in Syria. The BMZ therefore launched a platform called “A New Beginning for Syria”.

    Through that platform, we would like to inform you about Germany's development work for and in Syria and about ways in which you can get involved.


    Register for our networking portal to stay up to date on developments on the platform and to network with other stakeholders. You can also reach us by e-mail at neuanfang-syrien@bmz.bund.de.

    The platform “A New Beginning for Syria” has been set up by the German Development Ministry (BMZ) so that non-governmental stakeholders based in Germany and wishing to support the new beginning in Syria can exchange ideas with the BMZ and with like-minded actors and find cooperation partners.

    The platform “A New Beginning for Syria” is intended to facilitate networking among interested private individuals and representatives of civil society, municipalities, academia and the private sector, and to provide them with information about Germany's development work for and in Syria. We are constantly updating and adding content to the platform.

    No. The platform is meant exclusively to provide information and facilitate thematic exchange. All decisions relating to funding and to the question of which initiatives will receive financial support are made completely independently of the platform under the framework of existing support structures. Neither is the platform intended to be used to group together or coordinate offers of assistance or donations for immediate emergency assistance – there are other dedicated structures for that purpose.

    • A new beginning in Syria

      Getting involved

      Do you want to get involved in supporting the new beginning in Syria? Here you can find information on support programmes, advice centres and points of contact.

      Symbolic image: Reconstruction
    • BMZ activities in Syria

      Support is being adjusted

      When the civil war broke out in 2011, the German government suspended its bilateral cooperation with Syria. However, the BMZ has continued to support Syria's people via the United Nations and non-governmental organisations. Thanks to these long-standing relations, the BMZ is now able to respond quickly to the new situation and adjust its support. Read more about the BMZ's activities.

      Silhouette of Syria

    As at: 12/02/2025