Turkey is home to the largest number of displaced Syrian refugees at approximately 3.7 million. Yet Turkey’s welcoming stance towards Syrians, means that sustainable employment or starting a business in the country is possible for many. We work with aspiring Syrian entrepreneurs to develop their business plans, provide training and access to finance. Similarly, we partner with many higher (vocational) education institutions in Turkey to provide study opportunities for Syrian refugees and local Turkish youth. Courses are based on local labour market needs and the skills needed for rebuilding Syria in the future.
Programmes in this location
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active programme
Access to Education for Employment
SPARK, the Islamic Development Bank and the Sheikh Abdullah Al Nouri Charity Society support Syrian youth in Syrian Interim Government…
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active programme
Economic Resilience through COVID-19
In order to safeguard jobs, during and after the coronavirus crisis, SPARK and the Qatar Fund for Development are extending…
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active programme
Higher Education Services (HES)
SPARK is the largest provider of scholarships for Syrian refugees in the Middle East. The HES programme started by responding…
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active programme
Internships and work for Syrian youth
SPARK and the Dutch Nationale Postcode Loterij are creating new routes for youth to enter employment or entrepreneurship.
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inactive programme
Entrepreneurship and Business Development Activities (EBDA)
EBDA, meaning ‘begin’ in Arabic, supports Syrian entrepreneurship in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan by guiding young Syrian refugees to start…

“Turkish/Syrian-owned company producing ventilators”
Syrian and Turkish founders of İkiz Gen Mühendislik (Twin Gene Engineering) are now supporting the battle against COVID-19 by building ventilators.
- Location
- Turkey
- Services
- SME Coaching

“Syrian student testing for COVID19 in Gaziantep”
Bekri Kehlavi, a Syrian medical laboratory student, is spending his evenings standing on the highway checking the temperature of travellers entering the city of Gaziantep. Kehlavi is part of a medical volunteer group that is monitoring the number of coronavirus cases in the Turkish city.
- Location
- Turkey
- Services
- Scholarships

“Whichever country I am in, I should be doing something significant”
Aya fled her home of Aleppo in 2015, leaving behind her dreams of studying Architecture. With a scholarship to learn in her native Arabic tongue at the University of Gaziantep, she is on track to completing her Bachelor's degree this year.
- Location
- Turkey
- Services
- Scholarships
Opening pathways to employment
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4036Scholarships Provided
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2281Youth Trained
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2580Received Student Services
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2509Youth Graduated