The Syria Justice Innovation Process
An initiative by Syrians, for Syrians, dedicated to people-centred justice
Why justice matters now
Syria has endured over twelve years of conflict. Fourteen million people have been displaced, ninety percent live below the poverty line, and millions lack basic civil documentation. Families cannot register births, reclaim property, or access rights. Small businesses struggle without legal certainty, and women face persistent barriers to safety and redress.
The political shifts of late 2024 have opened an unprecedented window of opportunity. Yet formal institutions remain fragmented, and many Syrians still rely on informal justice. In this fragile transition, practical, people-centred justice solutions are essential. They address urgent needs today and lay the foundations for long-term recovery, stability, and peace.
SJIP: A locally driven process for change
Launched in 2018, The Syria Justice Innovation Process (SJIP) brings together Syrian judges, lawyers, civil society leaders, entrepreneurs, and academics to co-create solutions to everyday justice problems.
At the heart of the process is the Stakeholder Team, thirty respected Syrians reflecting the country’s diversity, with women making up fifty-seven percent of members. Meeting in safe spaces, the team analyses justice needs data, sets shared priorities, and agrees on Justice Innovation Goals in areas such as:
Access to Personal Documentation
Reducing Violence against Women
- The Right to Work in the private sector
- Access to Housing, Land and Property Rights
Supported by HiiL as a neutral convener, SJIP ensures that ownership stays with Syrians themselves.
From evidence to solutions
SJIP follows a cycle of data, dialogue, and innovation:
Data
Justice Needs Assessments identify the most urgent legal problems Syrians face in daily life.
Dialogue
The Stakeholder Team discusses and prioritises these findings, setting shared Justice Innovation Goals.
Innovation
Justice Innovation Labs bring Syrian innovators and practitioners together to design new services or improve existing ones.
Stories of Change
Hear directly from Syrians about how SJIP is shaping new paths to justice.
Innovation making a difference
Since 2018, SJIP has supported 17 justice innovations, reaching more than 200,000 Syrians. Examples include:
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Yasmina Bot, a confidential assistant for women facing violence.
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Syrgo, a digital platform to document and reclaim property rights.
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Waseet, an AI-powered tool resolving labour disputes quickly and fairly.
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Mobile legal clinics, bringing advice directly to communities.
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Community Mediation Initiative, resolving workplace disputes in SMEs.
These solutions show that even in fragile conditions, locally built innovations can deliver real impact.
Looking ahead
The coming years will be decisive for Syria’s transition. SJIP offers a proven mechanism to meet urgent needs in real time while building the trust and legal certainty required for recovery and peace.
