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Call for proposals Syria - Transitional Justice - Mena Scholarship Programme (MSP)

Opportunity for Dutch training providers to organise a Tailor-Made Training (TMT) as part of the Mena Scholarship Programme (MSP) for a diverse group of key actors in Syria working on Transitional Justice (TJ).

This call for proposals is open for Dutch training providers who:

  • Have proven knowledge and experience in Transitional Justice (TJ).
  • Have a track record of providing training in the suggested topics.
  • Have experience in designing and delivering professional training programmes, particularly in the MENA region.
  • Have a multidisciplinary team to ensure the programme is contextually relevant, localised, technically sound, and culturally appropriate.
  • Have interest in providing a hybrid training in Syria, Jordan or Lebanon and online, depending on the (security) situation at the time of the training. In order to ensure successful participation of a diverse group, including government representatives and civil society, holding the training in Syria might be the most convenient. However, due to potential security concerns, we remain open to suggestions for alternative locations outside Syria.
  • Demonstrate a clear commitment to partnering with a Syrian organisation or trainer.
  • Meet the MSP general criteria.
  • Agree with the MSP TMT Grant Conditions.

Context

As Syrians seek pathways towards a better future, transitional justice (TJ) offers a framework for addressing past abuses, restoring dignity to victims and laying the foundations for an inclusive and stable future. Transitional justice, as defined by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, encompasses a full range of judicial and non-judicial measures aimed at redressing the legacies of large-scale human rights violations. These include truth-seeking, criminal prosecutions, reparations, institutional reform and reconciliation efforts.

Given the ongoing nature of the conflict and the fragmentation of control across different regions of Syria, each with varying levels of institutional functionality, transitional justice must be grounded in local realities. The geographic and political fragmentation of Syria has produced a mosaic of justice realities. In some regions, tribal or customary systems have reemerged. In others, local councils or quasi-judicial bodies have filled the vacuum left by the collapse of state institutions. These emerging and alternative forms of justice can either support or undermine human rights and social cohesion, depending on how they are shaped. A training that equips key actors with practical, rights-based knowledge of transitional justice principles, and that facilitates experience sharing among them, will contribute to building coherent, community-rooted models for justice and accountability.

Main objectives of the Tailor-Made Training (TMT)

  • Providing a platform for knowledge exchange and supporting an inclusive and trust-building dialogue on transitional justice by bringing together a diverse group of Syrian key actors from various ethnic, religious, political, geographic and socio-economic groups.
  • Enhancing the participants’ understanding of transitional justice concepts and mechanisms, both from a global perspective and within the unique Syrian context.
  • Empowering participants to co-design and lead locally appropriate, victim-centred transitional justice initiatives in their own communities and in partnership with the government, thereby contributing to broader processes of peacebuilding, accountability and reconciliation.
  • Contributing to bridging the knowledge gap between Syrians who remained in former regime-held areas and those in the opposition and diaspora.
  • Equipping participants with the practical skills and tools required to support TJ processes.
  • Enabling the participants to formulate a shared vision for TJ mechanisms and processes appropriate for the Syrian context.
  • Building bridges between Dutch organisations and Syrian actors on transitional justice.
  • Collecting ideas for follow-up activities.

Suggested target group

  • Approximately 18 participants should take part in the training, depending on the set-up and location of the training.
  • Suggested participants: mix of representatives of specialist governmental organisations (e.g., National Commission on TJ or local government) and civil society (NGOs, legal actors, youth leaders, ex-detainees and victim representatives).
  • Diverse representation across regions, including NE, NW, South Syria and diaspora & inclusion of ethnic and religious minorities: Kurds, Alawites, Druze, Christians etc. This in order to reflect Syrias' pluralistic society to ensure multiple voices are heard and included.
  • We especially encourage the participation of women in knowledge exchange activities of the Mena Scholarship Programme.
  • The intended target group is aimed at participants who are in a position to share their knowledge and experience with other staff members and/or their community.
  • Training providers must clearly justify the choice of each participant/organisation and explain the approach they will use to reach out and engage them.
  • At this stage, it is not yet required to provide a list of participants including names. Participant selection will take place at a later stage, in coordination with Nuffic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.

Suggested topics and training approach

  • The TMT intervention should include elements of knowledge transfer, skills-building, networking and debates on TJ.

  • Next to the knowledge and skills component attention should also be given to navigating group dynamics, inclusivity, mediation, and dialogue processes and their design.

  • A needs assessment among all participants has to be conducted once they are selected, to make sure that the TMT is exactly tailored to the needs of the participants.

  • The TMT proposal has to be designed to be highly flexible, presenting a preliminary approach along with a selection of potential topics. These topics can be adjusted and refined as needed once the participants are chosen and a thorough needs assessment has been conducted.

  • Proposals must include a clear plan on how to support participants with a post-training implementation plan detailing how the knowledge and skills gained will be applied after the training.

  • It is key that any training intervention is designed around the concept of 'do no harm' and that space is given to psychological dimensions.

  • The suggested topics and training approach have to be feasible within the given timeframe and budget.

Suggested location and timing

  • Approximately 1-2 days training online to introduce the participants to the trainers and each other, understand the participants’ training needs, and refine the training goals together.

  • Approximately 1 week an intensive face-to-face training programme in Syria, Lebanon or Jordan. In order to ensure successful participation of a diverse group, including government representatives and civil society, holding the training in Syria might be most convenient. However, due to potential security concerns, we remain open to suggestions for alternative locations outside Syria.

  • Online follow-up activities after the face-to-face training to support the training implementation plan.

  • Preferably the training takes place as soon as possible after the selection. The exact timing can be determined with all stakeholders involved once a training provider is selected.

  • All activities have to be finalized at the latest on 31 August 2026.

Additional requirements

  • All training materials, e.g., slides, manuals, recordings, handouts developed as part of the training must be made available under an open license and shared through a public repository or platform.

  • The TMT has to be locally-led to enhance local ownership and legitimacy by ensuring the process is not imposed externally but is shaped by those most affected.

  • The TMT has to create synergy and complementarity with other TJ initiatives in Syria financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.

  • All parts of the training should be provided in Arabic, with simultaneous interpretation for international inputs if needed.

  • A representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands will take part in the selection process of the Syrian organisations.

  • The TMT should be designed and implemented in an inclusive manner.

More information

  • The aim of this call is to identify a Dutch training provider who has the expertise, experience and network based on the submitted documents to provide a tailor-made training as required in this call in cooperation/through a local Syrian organisation.

  • All training providers who want to participate in the MSP TMT have to provide a valid COCA (Checklist Organisational Capacity Assessment).

  • Accommodation and meals should be included in the budget.

  • Visa costs can be excluded from the budget.

  • Please carefully read the call information on our website Call for Tailor-Made group training for Dutch providers – MENA Scholarship Programme (MSP) | Nuffic before submitting a training proposal.

  • Please use the proposal form to apply for this call for proposals.

  • For questions please send an email to msp@nuffic.nl

Budget

75.000 Euro.

Deadline

4 November 2025, 23.59 CEST

Expected outcome of the selection

December 2025