Social Cohesion
The Social Cohesion module of Qudra aims to foster social cohesion between refugees and local populations in host communities in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey by reaching out to both groups via community centres, providing services and disseminating information, and strengthening civil society.
Jordan
Qudra in Jordan aims to improve Syrians’ and vulnerable Jordanians’ access to accurate and quality information as a means of empowerment as well as to strengthen social cohesion.
In this context, Qudra focuses its activities on information campaigns, by producing easily understandable videos and distributing them on television and social media. The content of these videos is developed jointly with the Ministry of Social Development and key national and international organisations in Jordan.
Among other planned initiatives, Qudra currently focuses on information campaigns that provide i) accurate and reliable information on workers’ rights and responsibilities in the workplace (targeting both Jordanians and Syrians), and ii) ways to obtain a work permit in the agricultural sector, which primarily addresses the Syrians living in Jordan.
Lebanon
Qudra’s social cohesion activities in Lebanon include providing basic learning skills to displaced Syrian children in order to prepare them for entering formal education in the host country, and providing homework support for those who are enrolled in schools. Qudra also offers life skills training for Lebanese and Syrian adults and youth in community centres, provides psychological and social support in community centres and mobile support units, and disseminates information on issues relevant to Syrian refugees, such as legal advice and how to access services.
Turkey
To foster social cohesion between refugees and local populations in Turkish host communities, Qudra’s activities focus on improving and extending social services.
Through multi-service centres, connected satellite centres (or subsidised transport to the multi-service centres) and a mobile unit, outreach will increasingly cover all the different groups living in the host communities.
Needs-based services on offer range from non-formal education, health, livelihoods, sports and culture to specialised services such as psycho-social counselling, legal advice, skills training and certified language classes.
The main aim is for all groups to have access to information and awareness raising on social services and cohesion, while intercultural activities address Syrian and Turkish youth, children and women in particular.
