From water to harvest: new EU-funded project enhances livelihoods in Syria

After successfully closing the Lifesaving Assistance project, ZOA Syria kicks off a new project with support from the European Union: 'Addressing Urgent Humanitarian Needs, Enhancing Resilience and Sustaining Livelihoods through Integrated Humanitarian Assistance in Aleppo, As-Sweida and Quneitra Governorates.'

2 September 2025

This new project is funded by European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). It started in August 2025 and will end in November 2026. The main objective is to enhance the resilience and livelihoods of vulnerable populations in As-Sweida, Quneitra, and Aleppo governorates by providing access to sustainable water and food systems.

Addressing needs and enhancing livelihoods

The proposed action aims to address the urgent, unmet needs of vulnerable populations by improving access to essential resources such as water, agriculture, renewable energy, and livelihoods. ZOA will:

Rehabilitate community-level water systems to ensure safe and reliable water for household use and agricultural purposes.
Restore irrigation systems to increase agricultural productivity and support sustainable livelihoods. Renewable energy solutions will be integrated into these rehabilitation efforts, utilizing solar energy.
Provide small-scale farmers with agricultural inputs to enhance food security. This is a multi-sectoral response that emphasizes the inclusive engagement and active participation of diverse community groups, thus enhancing accountability and gender equity.

ZOA is dedicated to delivering impactful, community-centered solutions that not only meet immediate needs but also foster long-term resilience and sustainability, ensuring that assistance is provided in a safe and accessible manner.

Kick-off workshop

On August 12 and 13, 2025, ZOA Syria held its project kick-off workshop in Damascus, with full participation from staff. The sessions included detailed presentations from various departments and staff - Programs, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL), Finance, and Logistics - to ensure a synchronized approach to implementation.

Additionally, participants received a briefing on ECHO donor requirements and how these inputs relate to the overall strategies of the donor within the project.