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GCERF has been investing in North-East Syria since 2023, supporting targeted initiatives aimed at reducing vulnerability to violent extremism and strengthening community resilience in highly fragile camp environments. This engagement takes place in a complex humanitarian and security context shaped by the legacy of ISIS territorial defeat, where thousands of women and children—many of them third-country nationals—remain stranded in closed camps with limited access to basic services and durable solutions.

  • locationCreated with Sketch Beta.
  • Al-Roj Camp
  • Al Hasakah Governorate
Background and Context
Country Snapshot
Key Results
Investment Strategy
Story of Change
Background & Context

Understanding Violent
 Extremism in Syria

Following the territorial defeat of ISIS in Syria and Iraq, families of suspected former militants including thousands of women and children were transferred to closed detention camps in Northeast Syria (NES). Many of these families are third-country nationals (TCNs) from North Africa, Central Asia, and Balkan countries. 8,000 people remain stranded in camps. These people are victims of ISIS rule. The camps present converging risks: a humanitarian crisis marked by inadequate access to healthcare, education, and basic services; serious human rights concerns; and a security threat, as ungoverned, radicalised environments risk perpetuating the very ideology that created the crisis.

GCERF'S UNIQUE INVESTMENT MODEL

Country
 Support Mechanism

GCERF pioneers a unique model of investment designed to promote a whole-of-society approach and ensure the sustainability of our programmes. Under this model, in each partner country, we support national governments in establishing a steering committee called the Country Support Mechanism (CSM).

Since 2023, GCERF has implemented a pre-departure pilot project in Northeast Syria (NES), initially in Roj camp. The programme was expanded to Al-Hol camp in October 2025. Following the forced closure of Al-Hol camp and recent security developments, GCERF is now preparing to implement this project in Aq Burhan camp in the coming months.

In line with its four-year strategy, GCERF aims to establish a Global Rehabilitation and Reintegration Mechanism (GRRM) to support global and local security and stabilisation efforts by reducing camp populations to an irreducible minimum and by assisting countries in the repatriation of their nationals.

GCERF is also in discussions with the Government of Syria to explore opportunities for supporting national efforts to strengthen community cohesion and contribute to the country’s recovery and reconstruction.

Download Country Snapshot
Key Drivers of Violent Extremism
Inter-ethnic and religious conflicts

VE groups exploit existing and emerging conflicts to increase their grip on communities.

Challenges in rehabilitation and reintegration of returnees

Returnees from the areas formerly held by VE groups and families associated with VE groups face a challenge in reintegrating with the original communities.

Socioeconomic marginalisation characterised by unemployment

Post-war economic instability, corruption, and oil dependency have weakened the economy and increased unemployment.

Results at a Glance

Key Results

Total amount invested (USD)
$ 0 M
Grants
0
Civil society organisations
0
Frontline workers (MHPSS service providers, social workers, teachers, local institution officials) supported to enhance preparedness and capacity to support returnees
0 +
Returnee women and young people at-risk of radicalisation equipped with vocational skills and entrepreneurship support to facilitate sustainable reintegration into communities
0 +
Returnee children supported with direct services (education, legal, psychological) to facilitate their effective reintegration into the communities
0 +
Returnee women and children supported with legal, administrative, educational, livelihood and psychological support for their effective rehabilitation and reintegration
0 +

Investment & grant figures updated May 2026 · Programme results updated December 2025

Our Approach

Investment Strategy
 in Iraq

Community trust icon
Support the rehabilitation and reintegration of people returning from Northeast Syria.
Support the implementation of the national strategy to prevent violent extremism within the defined governorate and district level plans of action. ​
Design sans titre
improve community-security relationships.
Our IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS

Active Grants
 in Iraq

Current Grants 2 Active
01 Organização para Paz e Resiliência Comunitária
▼
Grant Overview
Amount
USD 1,200,000
Duration
Mar 2024 – Feb 2027
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
Organização para Paz e Resiliência Comunitária (OPRC)
Sub-Recipients
Associação Jovens pela Paz
Fórum Mulheres do Norte
Rede Comunitária de Cabo Delgado
Programme Objectives
1
Strengthen community resilience by training local leaders in early warning and conflict resolution in Cabo Delgado.
2
Empower women and youth through livelihood support and civic engagement in displacement-affected areas.
3
Foster interfaith dialogue to counter extremist narratives among at-risk youth populations.
Areas of Implementation
Cabo Delgado Mocímboa da Praia Mueda Macomia
02 Centro de Formação e Desenvolvimento Comunitário
▼
Grant Overview
Amount
USD 800,000
Duration
Jun 2024 – May 2026
Implementing Partners
Principal Recipient
Centro de Formação e Desenvolvimento Comunitário (CFDC)
Sub-Recipients
Associação Nampula Solidária
Grupo Jovens Niassa
Programme Objectives
1
Deliver vocational training and psychosocial support to youth affected by displacement in Nampula and Niassa.
2
Build capacity of local CSOs to integrate PVE principles into existing development programmes.
3
Strengthen community-government dialogue mechanisms to restore trust in affected provinces.
Areas of Implementation
Nampula Niassa Nacala
Impact in Action

Story of Change

Featured Story
Story of Change · iRAQ
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