This report discusses the role of Syrian diaspora CSOs and their role in the EU’s engagement in Syria. It focuses on how the shift in the decade of conflict has pushed diaspora CSOs into the forefront as actors maintaining the civic spirit of the revolution against the Assad regime and offering corresponding ideational alternatives. In light of the existing US and EU policy of ‘no engagement without a meaningful political transition’, this situation creates both a need and an opportunity to establish a partnership between EU policy makers and Syrian diaspora CSOs.

Realizing this potential requires a stark strategic shift in supporting Syrian CSOs from short term, project based and output focused subcontracting to long term, program oriented and capability focused partnership.