{"id":124919,"date":"2025-04-25T17:58:48","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T17:58:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/?p=124919"},"modified":"2025-04-25T17:58:50","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T17:58:50","slug":"barcelona-backed-initiative-launches-sports-projects-for-children-in-northeast-syria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/124919\/","title":{"rendered":"Barcelona-Backed Initiative Launches Sports Projects for Children in Northeast Syria"},"content":{"rendered":"\n


By Kardo Roj<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KOBANI, Syria (North Press) \u2013<\/strong> A delegation from Barcelona, Spain, announced on Friday the launch of a 20-month sports initiative aimed at promoting peace and social cohesion through football in four cities across northeast Syria. The program, implemented in coordination with local and international organizations, targets children aged 8 to 14 and their families in Kobani, Raqqa, Hasakah, and Tirbespiye (Qahtaniyah).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initiative, which was unveiled during a press conference in Kobani, is spearheaded by Barcelona-based entities including Novact, La Caserna, and Casa Nostra Casa Vostra, alongside local partners such as the Doz organization. The project reflects a growing international interest in supporting civil society development and youth empowerment in the region administered by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Football as a Tool for Peacebuilding<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walat Abdulrahman, director of the Doz organization, told North Press that the project is rooted in the principles of peacebuilding and aims to foster community cohesion among the war-affected population. \u201cThrough football, we are not only engaging children in positive activities but also equipping their families to play active roles in building a peaceful and inclusive society,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initiative includes the creation of mini-football academies in each participating city, named after their respective locations. According to organizers, these academies will serve as safe spaces where children from diverse backgrounds can interact and develop not only athletic skills but also mutual respect and understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond youth engagement, the project will also offer workshops for parents and guardians to strengthen their involvement in communal peace processes. One of the key components will be a football gathering in Qamishli, where teams from all participating cities will meet for a two-day youth tournament\u2014a symbolic act aimed at celebrating diversity and unity within the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local Training, Global Framework<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Former FC Barcelona defender and current La Caserna member Oleguer Presas, who has taken a lead role in the project\u2019s development, conducted a week-long training session in Kobani for 12 local coaches. These coaches will implement the project’s methodology, which integrates football with civic values education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe aim is to use sport as a transformative tool,\u201d Presas told North Press. \u201cFootball is universal\u2014it transcends language, ethnicity, and background. Our mission here is to help local trainers create an environment that promotes teamwork, conflict resolution, and inclusive identity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presas emphasized that similar programs are concurrently underway in Spain, Erbil (Iraq), and Jordan, making the northeast Syria initiative part of a broader, transnational peacebuilding campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stability Through Community Engagement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This project comes at a time when northeast Syria continues to navigate a fragile post-conflict transition. The region, governed by the AANES and secured by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has faced numerous security and economic challenges following years of war and political marginalization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this context, initiatives like the Barcelona-backed sports project play a crucial role in fostering social stability and youth engagement. While humanitarian needs remain high, particularly among displaced populations and conflict-affected children, such efforts offer a hopeful vision for grassroots recovery and international solidarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Observers note that while security operations led by the SDF have focused on countering terrorism and ensuring local safety, parallel civil society initiatives are essential for long-term peace. The support of international partners adds legitimacy and resources to these local programs, reinforcing a broader strategy for resilience in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the project rolls out over the next 20 months, its impact will likely serve as a model for other post-conflict zones seeking to rebuild from the ground up. By combining local leadership with global expertise, and by placing children at the center of its mission, the initiative reflects an innovative approach to peacebuilding in one of the world\u2019s most complex conflict zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With international attention increasingly focused on Syria\u2019s path forward, programs that elevate inclusive development and empower future generations are not only timely but essential. The success of such initiatives may well shape the region\u2019s broader transition toward stability and self-governance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Kardo Roj KOBANI, Syria (North Press) \u2013 A delegation from Barcelona, Spain, announced on Friday the launch of a 20-month sports initiative aimed at promoting peace and social cohesion through football in four cities across northeast Syria. The program, implemented in coordination with local and international organizations, targets children aged 8 to 14 and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":124920,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pgc_sgb_lightbox_settings":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-124919","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","category-syria"],"yoast_head":"\nBarcelona-Backed Initiative Launches Sports Projects for Children in Northeast Syria<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"By Kardo Roj KOBANI, Syria (North Press) \u2013 A delegation from Barcelona, Spain, announced on Friday the launch of a 20-month sports initiative aimed at\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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