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

For years, the agricultural sector in northern Raqqa has suffered from the impact of ongoing conflict, resulting in the deterioration of agricultural systems, destruction of infrastructure, and limited access to modern farming technologies. These conditions have left agricultural cooperatives and small-scale farmers increasingly vulnerable to challenges.

Technical Capacity-Building Project

In response to these challenges, DAN Relief and Development launched a project aimed at strengthening the skills of agricultural cooperative members through the establishment of “Farmer Field Schools.” The project is being implemented in Yarmouk Farm (Khirbet Al‑Inab Cooperative) and Jarboua Village (Al‑Noor Cooperative), focusing on climate-smart agriculture techniques for vegetable production in protected environments.

The project includes creating a model environment featuring one greenhouse and 0.2 hectares of plastic tunnels at each site. These training platforms have become key hubs for exchanging knowledge and modern agricultural practices among farmers, enhancing the community’s ability to adapt to climate change.

Project Benefits and Outcomes

The project helps develop farmers’ skills in several areas, including:

Sustainable Production: Promoting climate-smart agriculture practices such as efficient irrigation systems, integrated pest management, and soil health.

Improved Productivity: Through protected agriculture techniques, farmers can increase productivity, improve crop quality, and extend the growing season.

Economic Empowerment: The project reduces farmers’ reliance on external aid, strengthens food security, and creates opportunities for diversifying income sources.

Community Collaboration and Learning: It encourages participatory learning among farmers and fosters innovation within cooperatives by transferring knowledge to the wider community.

Activities and Progress

Since the project was launched in September 2025, DAN has conducted training sessions on cooperative management and cooperative marketing. Agricultural activities have also begun: plastic greenhouses were installed in November 2025, seedlings were distributed in November in designated trays, and the irrigation network was prepared. Crops were protected from cold using white mesh and black mulch.

Future Outcomes

The project is expected to enhance agricultural communities’ capacity to face climate change challenges and improve resilience to future climate-related shocks. It also contributes to building a sustainable farming model in conflict-affected areas, strengthening food security and economic stability in the region.