About Basamat for Development (BFD)

The organization established its presence in Zahle Province, Bekaa, Lebanon, where it began its operations by offering mid-term economic empowerment training programs for youth and women.

In addition, the organization provided semi-formal education to 900 Syrian students who had dropped out of the education system, helping them re-engage with learning and build a brighter future.

The organization established and delivered vocational training and democracy education programs for Syrian women across six centers located in provinces outside regime control, including Idlib, Homs, Aleppo, and the Damascus countryside.

In addition to these initiatives, the centers also provided specialized courses on treating bombing-related injuries, addressing the critical gap in medical skills within these conflict-affected areas.

Officially licensed in Canada, in the province of Quebec, the organization established its presence to strengthen connections with Canadian and international institutions.

The primary goal of opening the Canadian office was to engage more closely with funding stakeholders and advocacy networks, ensuring that the real needs and voices of the Syrian people are effectively communicated and addressed on a global level.

Officially licensed in Istanbul, Turkey under the name “Barış Eğitim ve Gelişim Derneği”, the organization established its headquarters and multiple training halls in the heart of the city.

From this base, it provided a wide range of courses for Syrian and Arab youth and women, aiming to equip them with the skills needed to integrate effectively into Turkish society and the national education system.

In addition to its educational programs, the organization also hosted large-scale international conferences and events, bringing together prominent Turkish and Arab leaders to foster dialogue, collaboration, and shared visions for development.

On Monday, May 2017, Basamat for Development launched the conference “The Way Starts Here” in Istanbul, Turkey — a pivotal event dedicated to strengthening Syrian civil society.

The conference aimed to mobilize support and raise funds for critical initiatives inside Syria and across refugee-hosting countries, reinforcing BFD’s commitment to sustainable impact and community resilience.

During this period, the organization concentrated its efforts on supporting the educational journey of Syrian students in host countries, while also actively contributing to advocacy campaigns, contextual research, and case study reporting.

In parallel, BFD sustained its commitment to economic empowerment by securing microfinance grants for marginalized women, enabling them to launch and grow their own businesses.

Following the fall of Assad’s regime and the victory of the Syrian revolution, Basamat for Development was among the first organizations to mobilize its resources on the ground in Damascus.

With a clear commitment to supporting the stabilization of a democratic Syria, BFD positioned itself as a key actor in promoting transitional justice and building the foundations for long-term accountability and reform.

BFD also has taken a commitment to be a leading organization in the economic rebuilding process, and connecting Syrian projects to investors around the world.