HAND and the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Industry welcomed representatives from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for an important visit focused on exploring ways to support vocational training and expand opportunities for Syrian youth.

The UNHCR delegation included Kevin J. Allen, UNHCR Representative in Syria, along with Annalaura Maria Sacco, Nizar Al-Muhyedin, Wesam Jabbar Ibrahim Bajilani, and Abdulla Natfji.

Representing IFC were Elena Bourganskaia, Vice President for Strategy and Operations Support; Thomas James Jacobs, Regional Director for the Levant Region; Fawaz Bilbeisi, Program Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Syria; Manizha Mamadnabieva, Country Officer for Lebanon and Syria; and Michel Botzung, Principal Operations Officer for the UNHCR–IFC Joint Initiative.

During the meeting, the guests were introduced to HAND’s vocational training programme, implemented in strategic partnership with the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Industry and in cooperation with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation and private-sector partners, including Tattari Group, Al-Bahra Company, and Al-Jazeera Paints.

The meeting explored ways to strengthen the training programmes and expand partnerships to equip young people with the skills demanded by the labour market and create meaningful pathways to employment and stability.

This visit is particularly significant amid the growing need to develop the capacities of Syrian youth, support them in building more stable futures, and enable them to contribute effectively to Syria’s recovery.