Following the lifting of the EU’s economic sanctions against Syria, the European Commission is proposing €175 million for the social and economic recovery of the country.
This new EU funding will:
- Support Syria’s public institutions with the help of experts from Syria and other countries, including the Syrian diaspora.
- Support bottom-up and community-driven actions in the areas of energy, education, health, livelihoods and agriculture.
- Revitalize rural and urban economies by supporting livelihoods and job creation in communities across the country.
- Increase access to finance for the most vulnerable populations.
- Promote transitional justice, accountability, and human rights including means to fight against impunity, notably in supporting human rights as well the missing people file.
Furthermore, the Commission is actively pursuing the integration of Syria into several key initiatives with its Mediterranean partner countries, including the Erasmus+ programme and the forthcoming New Pact for the Mediterranean, aiming to strengthen cooperation and collaboration in the region.
Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica is currently in Syria, where she is reaffirming the European Union’s steadfast commitment to supporting a peaceful, inclusive, and Syrian-led transition process. This visit, the first by an EU Commissioner since the establishment of the transitional government, signifies a new chapter in EU-Syria relations, paving the way for enhanced, long-term support and deeper engagement with the EU, ultimately benefiting the Syrian people.
Background
The EU has remained steadfast in its commitment to support Syrian people, including through the organisation of the annual Brussels Conference over the past eight years. Since 2011, the EU and its Member States have mobilised nearly €37 billion in humanitarian and resilience assistance, supporting Syrians both inside the country and across the region. The EU support has been mainly focused on addressing the needs of Syrian refugees and their host communities.
Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, the Commission has consistently advocated for the support of a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transition process, ensuring inclusivity and respect for international law and human rights. In light of positive steps taken by Syria’s transitional authorities, the EU has lifted economic sanctions to Syria and is stepping up its support.
During the 9th international Conference in support of Syria, the EU pledged nearly €2.5 billion for the support of the transition process and the country’s socio-economic recovery, while also addressing the urgent humanitarian needs, both within Syria and in the host communities across Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Türkiye. The Commission will also support for the return of internally displaced and Syrian refugees to their homes.
Quote(s)
Syria stands at a pivotal moment in its history—a time of real opportunity to move from a past marked by conflict to a future grounded in peace, stability, and hope. We remain firmly committed to supporting Syrians in this crucial phase—helping them rebuild their country, revitalise the economy, create jobs, and lay the foundations for a stable, prosperous, and inclusive future.
Dubravka Šuica, Commissioner for Mediterranean
