As part of its firm commitment to supporting and empowering youth, the Dan Relief and Development Foundation successfully concluded its intensive training program in the air conditioning and refrigeration profession at the foundation’s vocational training center in the city of Al-Raqqa

The training program extended over three months and targeted 14 ambitious students. The training agenda was meticulously designed to cover all theoretical and practical aspects of the air conditioning and refrigeration profession, with a focus on the latest technologies and practices in this vital field.

The comprehensive training agenda included the following core themes, distributed throughout the training period to ensure complete curriculum coverage:

Introduction to Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems
A detailed study of the basic refrigeration cycle, types of refrigerants (Freon), their properties, and applications. Understanding the laws of thermodynamics related to pressure and temperature, and the basic components of refrigeration systems (compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator).

Electrical Circuits and Control Systems
Learning to read electrical diagrams for air conditioning and refrigeration systems, identifying electrical components such as motors, capacitors, relays, and switches. Training on inspecting these components, programming modern electronic control panels, in addition to electrical protection and safety systems.

Installation, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting
Practical training on disassembling and installing indoor and outdoor units of split air conditioning systems, methods for detecting and repairing leaks, safe and effective gas charging and discharging procedures. The training also included handling common mechanical and electrical faults, and preventive maintenance to ensure system efficiency and longevity.

Dan Centers adopted a training methodology focused on learning by practice, where the practical aspect constituted a large percentage of the total training hours. Fully equipped workshops with the latest tools and equipment were provided, allowing students the opportunity to directly apply theoretical knowledge. The program also included guidance sessions on professional ethics and how to manage small projects, aimed at equipping graduates with entrepreneurial skills enabling them to start their own projects or integrate effectively into the labor market.

This program aims to provide youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to enter the labor market efficiently and capably, and to contribute to building their professional capacities to achieve economic independence.

In the second phase of the project, the “Professional Apprenticeship” phase, participants will be distributed across shops and centers specializing in air conditioning and refrigeration for another three months. In its second phase, the program seeks to provide direct practical training that aligns with the needs of the local labor market, helping trainees gain the necessary skills to enter the job market with confidence.

This integrated training enhances participants’ opportunities to improve their economic and professional conditions and gives them the necessary tools to build a successful professional future.

In a step reflecting its commitment to supporting professional empowerment and enhancing job opportunities, the vocational training center affiliated with the Dan Relief and Development Foundation in the city of Al-Raqqah concluded a specialized professional course in “confectionery and pastry making” after three months of intensive theoretical and practical training, with the participation of 16 female trainees

The course aimed to equip the trainees with basic and advanced skills in the field of confectionery and pastry making, contributing to enhancing their opportunities to integrate into the labor market or launch their own projects. The training program focused on integrated professional practices, starting from the selection of raw materials, through preparation and production mechanisms, to decoration and packaging methods, with full adherence to food and health safety standards.

During the training period, the trainees received intensive practical training focused on mastering the basics of the profession, including identifying types of flour, yeasts, and fats, understanding the chemical interactions between ingredients, as well as acquiring practical skills in preparing various types of Eastern and Western sweets and pastries.
The program also included specialized modules on cost management and product cost calculation to ensure economic feasibility and profitability, in addition to training on occupational safety standards, personal hygiene, and sterilization of tools and the work environment.

The training modules covered three main sections; the first section dealt with pastry and bakery preparation skills, through training on kneading and shaping basic doughs such as the ten-minute dough, brioche, and croissant, as well as learning the secrets of successful fermentation and mechanisms for controlling oven temperatures.
The second section focused on preparing Western sweets, including sponge cake and various cream fillings, in addition to the art of decoration using “mirror glaze” techniques and sugar paste.

In the Eastern sweets section, the participants trained in adjusting the consistency of the sugar syrup (Qatr) to suit each type, such as Basbousa, Knafeh, and Baklava, as well as learning techniques for handling ghee and nuts to achieve the authentic Eastern flavor.

The importance of this profession is highlighted as one of the sought-after home-based professions that enjoys good opportunities within the labor market, making investment in confectionery and pastry-making skills an effective step towards economic empowerment and achieving professional independence for the trainees.

During the course, Dan centers adopted a training methodology based on experiential learning, where the practical aspect took up the largest share of the training hours. They also provided fully equipped workshops with the necessary tools and equipment, giving trainees the opportunity to directly apply theoretical knowledge, along with guidance sessions covering professional ethics and small business management, aiming to prepare graduates capable of entering the labor market efficiently and confidently.

In the second phase of the project, “professional apprenticeship,” the participants will be distributed to shops and centers for the production and sale of sweets and pastries for another three months. In its second phase, the program seeks to provide direct practical training aligned with the needs of the city’s labor market, helping trainees acquire the necessary skills to enter the job market with confidence.

This comprehensive training enhances the participants’ opportunities to improve their economic and professional situations and provides them with the necessary tools to build a successful professional future.

Within the activities of the “NAF” project, and during the second year of implementation, the Dan Foundation for Relief and Development continues to carry out the “Adaptation” phase, aimed at enhancing the economic stability of the most vulnerable families and empowering local communities to build sustainable and viable business models in the Al-Karamah area of Al-Raqqa Governorate

In this context, during the first phase, the Foundation succeeded in supporting nine productive projects within the livestock sector (sheep and cattle), benefiting nine out of the twelve targeted groups under the project. The support included providing the projects with an integrated package of productive assets and essential operational supplies, consisting of

283 heads of sheep
10 lambs and 5 rams
9 cows with their calves
5 tons of hay
6 tons of white barley
8 tons of black barley
2 tons of yellow corn
7 tons of white bran
3 tons of compound feed

Each group consists of between 15 and 20 members, totaling 200 heads of households, who will directly benefit from the assets and supplies provided, thereby improving their economic opportunities and enhancing their sources of income

The next phase also includes completing the delivery of a set of supporting services and supplies for the projects, including
(Agricultural nurseries – agricultural plowing services – block production factories – construction materials and additional operational equipment)

This intervention is part of an integrated approach focused on supporting collective projects by providing them with the necessary in-kind inputs and assets to launch and develop their economic activities

The support is planned to cover 12 integrated productive groups, along with the implementation of a comprehensive training program aimed at enhancing beneficiaries’ capacities in management, governance, and marketing, in addition to providing specialized vocational and technical training tailored to the nature of each project and its operational needs

During the second phase, the Dan Foundation continues its efforts to complete the provision of the remaining operational assets for the projects, ensuring the sustainability of the production process and improving the efficiency of the projects and their ability to generate stable economic returns over the long term

Through this approach based on economic empowerment and livelihood development, the Foundation seeks to create a tangible developmental impact that contributes to strengthening the resilience of local communities, creating sustainable income opportunities, and stimulating the local economy, thereby supporting development pathways based on self-reliance and community sustainability

To promote financial inclusion and support sustainable livelihoods, the Dan Relief and Development Foundation is implementing the Saving for Transformation (S4T) methodology, targeting economically vulnerable women in the villages of Al-Alayat and Al-Baydir in the Al-Karamah area, rural Raqqa

Community savings groups have been formed, each consisting of 14 women who meet regularly to organize savings and collectively manage financial resources

The groups follow a systematic savings mechanism, where each member contributes a fixed amount recorded in special registers. The funds are kept in a secure box with three locks, and the keys are distributed among several members to ensure transparency and accountability
These groups also allow members to take small loans from the fund according to agreed, interest-free rules, which helps support small economic activities and improve income levels

The Dan Foundation implements training programs to build members’ capacities in financial management, governance, and decision-making, in addition to providing technical and field supervision to ensure quality implementation
These interventions have contributed to enhancing household financial stability, economically empowering women, and building a savings culture based on cooperation and trust, thereby supporting sustainable impact and promoting self-reliance within the local community

The Dan Relief and Development Foundation reaffirms its commitment to developing effective intervention models that enhance economic and social resilience and build communities capable of adapting to and facing challenges

The Farmer Field Schools implemented by the Dan Foundation for Relief and Development in Al-Raqqa Governorate have begun to witness the ripening of the cucumber crop, as participating farmers have reached the harvesting stage. This comes within the framework of a project aimed at empowering agricultural cooperatives and training youth and women in climate-smart agricultural practices
The project includes two field schools, each with approximately 40 trainees, where participants learn modern vegetable farming techniques using greenhouses, agricultural tunnels, and modern irrigation systems
First school: Al-Jarbou’ village – Al-Nour Cooperative, with 42 trainees
Second school: Al-Yarmouk farm – Khirbet Al-Anab Cooperative, with 40 trainees
The project targets youth and women aged 18 and above who are interested in learning, own agricultural land, are able to commit to the training, and reside within the project areas
The foundation confirmed that the beginning of the cucumber crop’s ripening marks an important step toward achieving the project’s goals, as it enables farmers to apply modern skills in practice, increase productivity, and strengthen food security in the region

Amid the service-related challenges facing rural areas, community initiatives emerge as a window of hope that restores vitality to daily life and opens the way toward more sustainable development

DAN Foundation for Relief and Development took the initiative to install 40 solar-powered streetlights along the main road of Jazrat Al-Shati village in the Al-Jazrat area of the Deir ez-Zor countryside

The activity was implemented by the Noor Initiative group in response to residents’ suffering from the absence of lighting despite the availability of poles along the road. This step aims to enhance security and safety, stimulate economic activity during nighttime hours, facilitate residents’ movement, and improve the quality of daily life. The initiative also embodies the spirit of community cohesion through cooperation between residents and supporting entities, and represents a model of sustainable development solutions based on clean energy

The DAN Foundation office in the Al-Jazrat area of the Deir ez-Zor countryside operates through three main departments that seek to support the local community across various aspects:

Community Health Department: Works on implementing health awareness sessions aimed at raising awareness and changing harmful behaviors related to public health

Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) Department: Provides vocational training in agriculture and modern irrigation methods, women’s tailoring, and veterinary services. It also offers grants for small projects, supports owners of livestock and agricultural land, implements Cash for Work activities, and provides free veterinary examination services through specialized veterinarians to support livestock in the area

Community Protection Department: Implements awareness sessions related to protection from Gender-Based Violence (GBV), in addition to legal protection sessions

Through these initiatives, DAN Foundation for Relief and Development affirms its continued commitment to supporting local communities and enhancing environmental and health awareness, contributing to building a safer, healthier, and more sustainable environment. This reflects the importance of joint efforts between the foundation and the community to achieve genuine and sustainable development

As part of the Dan Foundation’s commitment to supporting vocational education and enhancing opportunities for young people to enter the labor market, the Foundation implemented a qualitative step by distributing 94 integrated technical baskets to vocational training students in the city of Raqqa. These baskets were carefully designed to meet the practical needs of each profession individually

The importance of these baskets is not limited to being training tools alone; they represent a fundamental pillar for empowering trainees to apply the skills they have acquired practically, contributing to refining their abilities and transforming their theoretical knowledge into tangible expertise that enhances their professional readiness.

The distribution included students from six vital professions that are witnessing increasing demand in the labor market: Electronics Maintenance, Men’s Tailoring, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Resin Art, Pastry Making, and Photography. The receipt and inspection process was carried out with high precision to ensure the quality of the materials, followed by organizing a smooth distribution process that lasted for three days.

This activity is part of an integrated training program benefiting 94 male and female trainees at the two vocational training centers affiliated with the Foundation in the city of Raqqa, where participants undergo theoretical and practical training lasting three months. Upon completion of this phase, the trainees will be distributed to more than 30 workshops in the labor market, aiming to enhance their practical skills and gain additional experience, including communication skills and understanding the fundamentals of various professions.

Through these initiatives, the Foundation seeks to empower trainees to build independent career paths, ultimately leading to the establishment of their own projects and contributing effectively to the development of the local economy.

Vocational training is one of the most important tools for empowering youth and creating new opportunities that help them build a more stable and independent future. In communities facing economic and social challenges, vocational programs stand out as genuine opportunities to turn ambition into practical skills that can generate employment and strengthen community participation

In this context, Dan Relief and Development Foundation has launched the third cycle of its Vocational Training Program, starting with a photography course for 14 young women at the Foundation’s Vocational Training Center in Raqqa.

This course offers ambitious young women a unique professional skill that opens new horizons in the world of creativity and work. Over six months, participants will receive comprehensive theoretical and practical training in the fundamentals of photography, including camera techniques, lighting principles, visual composition, and photo editing skills.

The program aims to equip participants with the professional abilities needed to turn their passion for photography into real job opportunities—whether by establishing their own photography studios, working as freelance photographers for events and occasions, or engaging in commercial and artistic photography fields.

Through its vocational training programs, Dan Relief and Development Foundation reaffirms its commitment to supporting and empowering youth by providing them with practical skills that help them build sustainable careers and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.

As part of its rapid response to the urgent needs of displaced people in Al‑Hasakah city, DAN Foundation for Relief and Development concluded, at the end of last February, the fourth round of distributing 130 Ready‑to‑Eat (RTE) food baskets to 130 displaced families residing in seven collective shelters across the city.

The distribution, which continued for a full month at a rate of one round per week, was carried out in cooperation with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), Funded by the Government of Norway within the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to support those affected by the recent events in the area.

This emergency intervention aims to provide direct food assistance to displaced families living under harsh conditions and lacking basic necessities, helping to alleviate their suffering and support their ability to cope with daily challenges.

This distribution comes as part of DAN’s Emergency Response Program for Displaced People, which includes the provision of various urgent basic services to ensure the preservation of dignity for affected individuals under such difficult circumstances.

Through these rapid interventions, DAN Foundation continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing essential support to community members during times of crisis, reaffirming its ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emergency needs, and strengthening its leading role in humanitarian response in affected areas.

The Dan Foundation for Relief and Development (DRD), in partnership with DCA, continues to implement interventions aimed at supporting farmers and enhancing their ability to restore their sources of income, through a qualitative project in the village of Al-Bayda in the countryside of Ain Issa district in Raqqa Governorate. This intervention comes after DCA teams completed the clearance of two agricultural fields from unexploded ordnance, which paved the way for DRD to work directly with the landowners to revive their agricultural activity, which had been halted for nearly ten years.

As part of this intervention, two agricultural wells were drilled in the two targeted land plots and equipped with the necessary equipment to ensure sustainable irrigation water supply. The wells also underwent operational tests to verify their readiness to meet actual irrigation needs. In addition, the farmers received certified wheat seeds suitable for the local climatic conditions, in quantities sufficient to cultivate an area of two hectares, in accordance with the recommendations of the local Agriculture Directorate.

To encourage the transition towards more efficient irrigation techniques, each farmer was provided with a sprinkler irrigation system, contributing to reducing water waste and replacing traditional surface irrigation methods with more sustainable practices. The intervention also included the establishment of a Farmer Field School in the village, serving as a practical training platform to help farmers apply climate-smart agriculture principles, including modern irrigation techniques, proper agricultural practices for wheat cultivation such as seeding and fertilization rates, integrated pest management, and other methods that enhance productivity and sustainability.

This intervention represents a pivotal step in supporting livelihoods, enhancing local food security, and empowering farmers to restore their vital role in sustainable agricultural production