Many visited Syria before the war and noticed a growing gap between Syrians inside the country and those who had access to better education and careers living abroad. They wanted to build a bridge between these two worlds, which is why the organization was named “Jusoor,” meaning “bridges” in Arabic.

This vision led to the founding of Jusoor in 2011, with a simple but powerful mission: to help Syrian youth access the same educational opportunities available to Syrians living abroad.

Jusoor focused mainly on scholarships, which helped talented Syrian students access opportunities abroad, including at universities in the US, UK, and other countries, creating a program that has supported more than 429 scholars in over 23 countries worldwide. But as the Syrian conflict worsened and millions of families were displaced, the organization felt that the needs were becoming bigger. Refugee children were losing years of education, families were struggling to survive, and young people were facing an uncertain future.

Jusoor then provided education and community support for refugees in Lebanon, while offering entrepreneurship and career development programs in Jordan and Türkiye.

Jusoor works through four main programs: Refugee Education, Scholarships, Entrepreneurship, and Career Development. The Refugee Education program provides Syrian children with quality education and psychosocial support.

Together, these four pillars support Syrian youth from early childhood through university and into their careers. In Lebanon, the organization also operates three education centers that provide safe and supportive learning environments for refugee children.

Children can join Jusoor’s programs from the age of three, where education focuses on both learning and emotional wellbeing.

Alongside their regular studies, students take part in future skills and STEAM activities such as coding, art, science, and critical thinking. These activities help prepare them for the future while also giving them opportunities to learn about and stay connected to their Syrian culture and identity. The centers provide meals, transportation, school supplies, and psychosocial support for children and parents. During crises in Lebanon, the centers also become shelters and support spaces for families in need.

Jusoor has achieved strong educational results, helping Syrian and Lebanese students prepare for national grade 9 and grade 12 exams, with some centers reaching pass rates above 90 percent. For students unable to continue traditional education, the organization offers vocational training that helps youth gain practical skills and better job opportunities.

Building on this educational foundation, Jusoor recognized that supporting youth also meant preparing them for long-term economic independence and professional growth. As the needs of Syrian youth changed over time, Jusoor expanded into entrepreneurship and career development programs. Through startup training, mentorship, and business support, the organization helps young Syrians build businesses, gain financial independence, and connect with professional networks.

Alongside entrepreneurship initiatives, Jusoor also focused on equipping youth with the practical tools needed to succeed in a changing global workforce. Jusoor career development programs provide Syrian youth with valuable soft skills, digital skills, and remote work opportunities that help them gain employment across borders. Today, over 2,400 entrepreneurs have received training through Jusoor and over 800 startups and small businesses have been supported by Jusoor, a significant amount being led by women.

This brings us to another important note. Instead of focusing only on traditional activities such as the patriarchal standards, the organization invested in women as leaders. Many of the education centers are led by women principals who were trained and supported by Jusoor over the years. The organization believes empowering women means giving them leadership roles, decision-making power, and opportunities to guide their own communities. This approach helped create strong female role models for both students and families.

Jusoor also focuses heavily on teacher training and capacity building, helping educators learn how to teach during crises, manage overcrowded classrooms, and support students affected by trauma and displacement.

Hundreds of teachers across different countries have joined these workshops to improve emergency education skills.

Recently, through its “Bridges to Syria” initiative, Jusoor expanded its work inside Syria by offering catch-up classes and summer programs for returning students from different countries and education systems. The organization also trains teachers inside Syria to help students adapt and continue their education successfully.

Jusoor’s true success can be seen in the stories of Syrian youth themselves: a child returning to school after years of conflict, a student becoming the first university graduate in their family, a refugee entrepreneur creating jobs for others, or a young woman stepping into a leadership role. Through every program, Jusoor continues building bridges toward a more hopeful future for Syria’s next generation.