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 National Postcode Lottery 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…

“We were about to shut down the business”
Anwar, a 30-year-old Syrian entrepreneur from Turkey, managed to overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He is now employing five people in his product design company.
- Location
- Turkey
- Services
- SME Coaching

“I learnt from my failure. I will keep working.”
Despite failing in her first startup that designed and manufactured electronic boards, Syrian Economics graduate, Maryam, is working on her next business idea with an incubation programme by SPARK and BINA.
- Location
- Turkey
- Services
- Scholarships
- SME Coaching

“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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4303Scholarships Provided
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2281Youth Trained
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3812Received Student Services
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2926Youth Graduated