Start Point is a registered NGO established in 2015 to advocate for justice as well as support victims who suffered human rights violations in Syria. Headquartered in Malmo, Sweden, our mission is to promote equality and social empowerment through a variety of programs designed for women, men and youth. We believe that true social awareness and change can only be achieved if all members of our society are exposed to a message of justice and equality.
We work in both research and service sectors to promote justice and long-term change in Syria. We also conduct human rights monitoring, data collection and reporting so that the broader global community can better understand conditions in the region. We believe that fostering social awareness is key to rebuilding Syrian society.
Our Offices
We are headquartered in Malmo, Sweden. We have branch offices in Gaziantep, Turkey, Beirut, Lebanon, Amman, Jordan, and soon in Iraq.
Our Mission
Start Point believes that raising social awareness about human rights issues in Syria is essential to the recovery of violations victims as well as the survival of civil society in the area. We work on an array of research, awareness, advocacy and support programs in order to further our aims. We believe that focusing on recovery for victims of violations and providing necessary psycho-social support is an important first step towards building equality.
Only by equipping both women and men to carry forth the message of equality can we effect true social change. Our research and program teams work closely with each other to ensure that we are crafting a sustainable approach to our awareness and justice goals. We also believe that listening to the feedback of the men, women and youth with whom we work is essential to improving our programs and spreading social awareness.
Our Roots
We established Start Point in 2015 because we noticed a significant gap in support services for victims of human rights violations in Syria. Our first project was aimed at helping female survivors of GBV in Syria, many of whom had been detained by various parties in the conflict there. We established an 18-month program for females that provides psycho-social support services and empowers females to become successful, integrated members of society. The program benefits 60 women and girls who have no other access to such services.
Our Values
Once we started working with female victims of human rights violations, we realized that we could not achieve our goals without also addressing the core causes of inequality and human rights violations. It was apparent to us that we also needed to advocate for justice, accountability and the rule of law in Syria. By both advocating in these areas and providing meaningful support to survivors of conflict, we hope to move forward and build a strong society that prioritizes equality and justice for all of its members.
Start Point now works in both advocacy and service arenas. We believe that fighting for accountability and social justice cannot be removed from actively supporting the victims of human rights violations. Our experience with females’ programs has demonstrated that survivors of violations need significant support not only in the immediate aftermath of the trauma but also over the long term. They also need specialized help reintegrating into society and becoming empowered to advocate for equality for themselves.
In addition to working with females, we’ve expanded our operations to include support and empowerment programs for youth. Like many organizations working in our field, we believe that creating long-lasting equality as well as ongoing intellectual and social development in Syria depends on youth. By supporting and empowering young individuals, we are laying the foundation for a new society that values human dignity and protects the rights of all of its members.
We are also dedicated to witnessing, recording and reporting human rights violations in Syria. An accurate understanding of conditions in the region is essential to the success Start Point and other international organizations working in the area.
What We Do
We currently operate four distinct divisions under the auspices of Start Point. While each of these divisions is unique, they share the collective goal of furthering justice, accountability and equality in Syria. We have split our organization into these divisions so that we can effect change on multiple fronts. We believe that a multi-pronged approach to justice, accountability and equality has the greatest chance of success.
Start Point Research Center
Our research staff works tirelessly to identify integration issues and to analyze data collected internally and by other international organizations. Read more about our research center.
Alma
Our females’ projects are housed in this division. Start Point is extremely proud of the work we do to support females who have suffered from GBV. Read more about Alma.
Shuhub
Our youth projects are housed in this division. Shuhub’s projects aim to support and empower children, teens and young adults in Syria. We recognize the unique impact that strife, violence and violations have had on these youth. Read more about Shuhub.
Division of Human Rights
Broad societal awareness about human rights violations in Syria is crucial to meeting the goals of our organization. Read more about our human rights division.