Governance and Social Accountability

IMPACT utilizes dialogue among civil society, business leaders, local authorities, and political actors as a key tool to enhance good governance and social accountability focusing on resolving conflicts and influencing policies.

Our approach is rooted in engaging local communities, aiming to build consensus around political representation, governance reform, and social cohesion.

When necessary, our initiatives expand to regional and global levels, ensuring a comprehensive impact. By working closely with think tanks and Track II-focused organizations, IMPACT designs multi-layered processes that involve community members, government officials, and international stakeholders. These processes are supported by research and policy papers, which inform and guide decision-makers on key governance issues.

In Northeast Syria, IMPACT has successfully launched dialogue initiatives, beginning with Kurdish parties and progressing towards political stabilization and governance reform across various political and ethnic groups. These initiatives, which started in 2018, have included conferences and expert discussions both in the region and internationally. The program has transitioned from Track II diplomacy into Track I, with government facilitation, resulting in broader civil society engagement and the production of numerous policy papers and webinars.

Throughout Syria, local governance faces significant challenges, including limited budgets, inadequate resources, insufficient administrative skills, and a lack of electoral legitimacy. These obstacles make it difficult for reform-driven actors to engage effectively with citizens and build sustainable governance structures. In this environment, civil society organizations struggle to amplify the diverse voices of Syrians and hold authorities accountable. IMPACT addresses these challenges by advocating for stronger civil society engagement, improving key skills, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and promoting accountability. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of local actors to drive governance reforms that will lead to long-term stability and social accountability.