January 2026 Information series on funding opportunities for civil society engagement in the reconstruction of Syria

In January 2026, the platform “A New Beginning for Syria” of the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) organized a multi-part information series on funding opportunities for civil society engagement in the reconstruction of Syria.

Further information on upcoming events of the platform “A New Beginning for Syria” is available via our email distribution list (External link) and through our LinkedIn group (External link), which we warmly invite you to join.

Do you have ideas or questions you would like to share with the platform “A New Beginning for Syria”? Would you like to contribute your experience and expertise? Please contact us at: neuanfang-syrien@giz.de (External link).

The information series provided a practitioner-oriented overview of key funding frameworks, funding conditions, as well as administrative and financial requirements within the German funding context. Participants included representatives of NGOs, associations, and foundations from Germany and Syria who are involved in the planning and implementation of development and humanitarian projects in Syria.

At the opening sessions on 12 and 14 January 2026, Ulrike Lauerhaß (Programme Officer for Development Cooperation, Stiftung Nord-Süd-Brücken (External link)) presented the funding line “EZ-Kleinprojektefond” (<50.000 EUR) (External link), which aims to support the sustainable and effective implementation of development cooperation projects in the Global South, with a particular focus on strengthening civil society capacities. This was followed by a presentation by Stephan Clauß (Technical Advisor in the AMEHA Regional Department (Latin America, Europe, Mediterranean, Horn of Africa), BENGO (External link)), who first introduced the BMZ funding scheme “Private Träger” (>50.000 EUR) and explained that this funding line is aimed at organizations with project experience that may submit proposals across a wide range of thematic areas - from forestry and food security to civil society engagement. Both speakers also outlined the fundamental requirements of the BMZ eligibility and capacity assessment.

In the second part of the information series, held on 27 and 29 January 2026, the GIZ project “BRIDGE – Strengthening the Capacities of the Syrian Civil Society” presented the objectives and requirements of the TAKAMUL Fund, which is currently in its third call for proposals (External link). At the beginning of the session, Stefan Schulz-Trieglaff, Head of the BRIDGE project, explained the TANDEM approach of TAKAMUL III, under which a German and a Syrian NGOs jointly submit a project proposal aimed at strengthening social cohesion, promoting inclusive community engagement, or supporting civil society in local recovery and community resilience. This was followed by a presentation by Ahmad Tajaldeen Jamous, advisor to the BRIDGE project, who provided information on the administrative and technical requirements for submitting an application. Further information on the TAKAMUL III call for proposals can be found here (External link).

At the final event of the information series on 3 and 5 February 2026, the GIZ Syria Finance Unit introduced the Commercial Eligibility Assessment (KEP), which is GIZ’s key instrument for ensuring the proper use of public funds.