Syrian officials and international partners met at the Italian Embassy in Damascus to review progress on the €5 million “Weaving Hope” project and discuss additional funding to support the recovery of Syria’s textile and garment industry.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Ministry of Economy, the Italian Embassy, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Partners Review Funding and Industry Priorities
Participants discussed the project’s achievements and the sector’s needs, including closer coordination among government bodies, industrial chambers, vocational training institutions and international organisations.
Securing further financial support was a central topic. Italy has contributed approximately €1.7 million, while the ILO has allocated around €700,000 from its own resources towards the project’s €5 million budget.
The discussions examined how stronger cooperation could support implementation and help address the funding gap.
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Damascus and Aleppo Textile Zones in Focus
The initiative targets challenges affecting textile and garment manufacturers, particularly export development, employment and competitiveness. Its geographical focus includes specialised industrial zones in Damascus and Aleppo, the country’s two main textile production centres.
In early September, the ILO announced that it was working on the project with Syria’s ministries of Social Affairs and Labour, and Economy and Industry, alongside industrial chambers and the General Federation of Trade Unions.
Through social dialogue and coordination among these stakeholders, “Weaving Hope” aims to support manufacturers and workers while helping rebuild the sector’s capacity to compete.
