Page 44 - EN-Youth Report

Leading community change

In order to establish a framework to address the various problems facing youth, Aa
question was asked about actors who are believed to be more able to lead desired
societal change. Local governance structures earned 43% of the votes of the target
group as capable to induce positive social change, followed by civil society

organizations 31%, and grassroots13%. Religious leaders occupied the forth position
with only 4% as a group with enough influence to provide solutions and social change,
and a small percentage of 2% believed in the role of councils of dignitaries to provide
community solutions.

In all cases, it has become clear that local governance structures are still viewed as
capable to lead social change. It was also important to note the important role of
Syrian civil society organizations, an outcome of the Syrian uprising, after decades of
absence from social action due to restrictions imposed by the Syrian regime.

44 | MAPPING YOUTH SITUATION IN NORTHWESTERN SYRIA