A personal report on hope, change, and the vision behind Syria Meets Europe by Mohamad Harastani
After years of living abroad, distanced physically and emotionally, I finally made the decision to return to Syria not just as a visitor, but as someone with questions:
- What does return really look like?
- Can Syrians build a life again in a country that has endured so much?
- And what role can Europe play in supporting this journey?
I carried these questions with me through the dusty streets of Damascus, the hallways of a revived university, and the warm conversations shared over tea and rebuilding plans. This is my story — visual, reflective, and hopeful — of what I saw, felt, and believe.
Arrival in Damascus – Nostalgia Meets Reality
As my plane descended into Damascus, I was flooded with emotion. I had not walked these streets in years. The city’s familiar sounds, the scent of jasmine in the air, the mix of resilience and fatigue in people’s eyes — they were all still there.
While the physical scars of conflict remain visible, what struck me even more was the determination of its people. Damascus may have changed, but its spirit is unbroken.
Meeting Returnees – The Brave Faces of Rebuilding
One of the most meaningful parts of my trip was meeting Syrians who had recently returned from Europe — some after over a decade abroad. With cautious optimism, they were navigating a system still rebuilding itself, drawing from the skills and experiences they gained abroad.
They told me their stories over coffee and at coworking desks: engineers, designers, and young mothers who believed that their home still deserved a future — and that their return could help create it.
Innovation Amid Recovery
Contrary to what many might expect, I found a growing ecosystem of startups and local initiatives. From agricultural tech to clean energy solutions and digital platforms, Syrians — especially younger generations — are finding creative ways to solve local problems with minimal resources.
It reminded me that entrepreneurship is one of Syria’s greatest survival skills.
Damascus University – Learning Never Left
My visit to Damascus University was both emotional and inspiring. Students filled lecture halls, professors hosted open debates, and NGOs facilitated workshops. It’s clear that despite limited access to equipment and funding, a culture of learning still thrives.
This is a generation that has seen war — but dreams of code, medicine, architecture, and social change.
Coworking Spaces – Seeds of a New Economy
One of my favorite stops was a modern coworking space in central Damascus. There, I saw Syrians who had worked for European companies remotely, now bringing that experience back. Business ideas were being prototyped, networking events held, and skills shared across disciplines.
It was a microcosm of what Syria Meets Europe aims to support — spaces where skills, support, and self-belief converge.
European-Syrian Partnerships in Action
To my surprise, I found several projects already bridging Europe and Syria: solar energy pilots funded by EU partners, small-scale logistics hubs supported by diaspora investors, and even educational bootcamps co-run by European universities.
These are the relationships we want to nurture — real partnerships that empower people, not just fund programs.
Rural Areas – The Forgotten Frontline
Outside the cities, the challenges multiply. Families face daily struggles for water, healthcare, and electricity. Schools operate on reduced schedules; internet is unreliable.
But even here, community-led solutions bloom — and with the right support, these areas could become the foundation of a broader rebuilding effort.
What Became Clear: Return Needs Infrastructure and Trust
The central lesson of my journey was simple: people will return only if they see a future — not just a home. Return must come with dignity, opportunity, and stability.
That’s why we at Syria Meets Europe focus not only on emotional support, but on legal advice, healthcare access, housing support, coworking memberships, and coaching. This is what we call our “Care Package” — a soft landing for serious rebuilding.
The Role of Syria Meets Europe
Our NGO is not just about vision — it’s about execution. We aim to:
• Create jobs and economic opportunities
• Rebuild core infrastructure with local partners
• Connect Syrians abroad with concrete ways to support and return
• Facilitate meaningful partnerships with European businesses, investors, and educational institutions
We believe in “help for self-help.” We believe in starting small and building strong.
A Personal Note to Our Readers
If you’re reading this — whether you’re a policymaker, entrepreneur, NGO worker, or member of the diaspora — I invite you to join us.
Return is not a dream anymore. It’s happening — quietly, steadily, with courage. But it needs people like you to believe in it, too.
Syria is still standing. And so are its people.
Let’s stand with them — not just from a distance, but by building real bridges that empower their future.
Final Thoughts
This trip changed me. It reminded me of who I am — and what our community can be. “Return with Perspective” is not just a slogan. It’s a call. A challenge. A new beginning.
And we, at Syria Meets Europe, are answering it.