From Conflict to Code: How Syria’s Youth Are Rebuilding Through Data
Following the liberation and the momentum of the Syrian revolution, a powerful wave of youth-driven ambition and hope has emerged. Across different parts of Syria, young people are stepping forward to rebuild what was lost — not only in infrastructure, but in possibility. Entrepreneurship, innovation, and civic engagement are flourishing again, even amid ongoing challenges. But one major gap remains: access to digital skills, data tools, and communities that can help young people lead the next stage of transformation.
That’s where Syria Data Science comes in.
As the first grassroots initiative of its kind in the country, Syria Data Science was launched to build a local community around data — bringing together youth, NGOs, and startups to learn, connect, and apply data in solving real-world problems. Our mission is simple: make data accessible, practical, and empowering for everyone.
Since our launch, we’ve hosted a range of in-person and online activities that reached hundreds of participants across Syria and the diaspora. These include:
- Hands-on sessions in two Syrian governorates, where youth explored data tools like Power BI, SQL, and Python in the context of real humanitarian and business challenges.
- Expert talks with Syrian data professionals working in global companies, offering insight, mentorship, and a bridge to international standards and opportunities.
- Customized training modules for NGOs, helping grassroots initiatives transition toward digital transformation and evidence-based planning.
- Support for youth-led startups, showing founders how to use data to define their audiences, track progress, and pitch their impact more effectively.
Our participants come from every walk of life — students, freelancers, NGO workers, academics, and job seekers — but they all share one thing in common: the desire to build a better future using data, even in a setting where digital infrastructure remains fragile.
Syria Data Science is more than just a training space; it’s an ecosystem in the making. A place where young Syrians aren’t just learning what data science is, but applying it to their local realities — from rebuilding educational systems and improving aid distribution, to analyzing markets and creating smarter startups.
Initiatives like ours matter because they ignite innovation where it’s needed most. They show that even in conflict-affected areas, youth can lead, learn, and launch solutions when given the right tools and support. Data becomes more than numbers — it becomes a voice, a bridge, and a blueprint for rebuilding.
As we expand our network and deepen our impact, we’re reminded daily that Syria’s future will not only be rebuilt by bricks — but by code, by ideas, and by youth who believe that knowledge is the foundation of lasting change.
By Joud Khattab, WSA Youth Ambassador in Syria.
