Damascus, Aug. 5 (SANA)TheMinistry of Local Administration and Environment,in cooperation with theUnited Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), held a workshop on Wednesday at the Dama Rose Hotel in Damascus to discuss joint coordination mechanisms and review progress on the Integrated Response Mechanism project.

Representatives from several relevant ministries participated in the workshop, which focused on implementation steps for the project aimed at achieving sustainable recovery by supporting municipal councils.

Omar al-Basha, Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment, told SANA that the project is valued at €31.7 million and is designed to provide integrated support that strengthens municipalities and upgrades local infrastructure by addressing priority needs.

Ahmad Sanda,Director of Local Councils at the ministry, said the project’s initial activities include institutional capacity-building and training, strengthening administrative systems and digital transformation, promoting community participation, social cohesion and civil society partnerships, providing sub-grants, supporting service delivery and local education projects, and enhancing coordination among municipalities, governorates and the central administration.

Libor Chlad, Head of theInternational Cooperation Section at the European Union missionto Syria, said the European Union supports several sectors in Syria, particularly health and agriculture, as well as the return of thousands of Syrians to their country and the preservation of national and cultural heritage.

Chlad stressed the importance of accelerating recovery efforts, strengthening institutional capacities, rehabilitating infrastructure, creating employment opportunities for young people and supporting income-generating projects that contribute to sustainable recovery.

Hasmik Kocharyan, the project manager, highlighted the workshop’s role in strengthening communication among the technical teams responsible for implementation. She said activities are currently focused on priority locations, including Hreitan and Anadan in Aleppo, al-Zabadani in Damascus Countryside, and al-Qusayr in Homs.

Launched in Syria last year, theIntegrated Response Mechanism projectis based on implementing integrated interventions in targeted communities rather than providing separate humanitarian assistance. The approach combines infrastructure rehabilitation, improved public services and livelihood support as part of early recovery efforts aimed at strengthening the resilience of local communities.