Strengthening Local Capacities to Transform Syria’s Humanitarian Data Ecosystem
CartONG is pleased to publish a new case study highlighting a capacity-strengthening initiative implemented in Syria in partnership with iMMAP, MapAction, and INDICATORS, through an H2H Network initiative funded by FCDO Services.
While local organizations are often at the forefront of humanitarian response, they remain underrepresented in the data systems that inform humanitarian decision-making. This new case study is grounded in a strong conviction: local actors should not merely be included in humanitarian information systems—they should actively help shape, govern, and strengthen them.
Co-authored by CartONG and INDICATORS | مؤشرات, the study documents an initiative implemented in Syria between December 2025 and June 2026 that aimed to sustainably strengthen the capacity of local organizations in data management and responsible data practices.
An Integrated Approach to Capacity Strengthening
The case study presents a comprehensive capacity-strengthening model built around several complementary components:
Rather than treating capacity building as a series of standalone training sessions, the initiative sought to create a learning ecosystem where knowledge could be acquired, applied, shared, and sustained over time.
The Value of Peer-to-Peer Learning
One of the study’s key findings is the transformative role of peer-to-peer learning. By recognizing local organizations not only as learners but also as experts, trainers, and knowledge holders, the programme fostered greater ownership, knowledge exchange, and long-term sustainability.
This approach aligns closely with localization commitments and demonstrates how locally led knowledge-sharing can strengthen humanitarian data ecosystems and support more inclusive decision-making processes.
Key Results
The initiative achieved several notable outcomes:
Beyond these figures, the case study offers practical lessons for organizations seeking to build more inclusive, collaborative, and locally driven humanitarian data systems.
We are proud to share this work and the learning it has generated alongside our partners and the Syrian organizations that contributed to its success.
