As part of the RISE Syria Project, our partner, Field Ready Middle East, conducted a Challenge Mapping workshop together with other project partners including Engineers without Borders Norway and World Vision Syria Response. The workshop brought together farmers, agricultural experts, researchers, humanitarian actors, and private-sector representatives.
The workshop highlighted several key challenges, including water scarcity, rising irrigation costs, limited access to reliable technical guidance, and the need for better irrigation decision-making tools that fit the local context. The findings will help shape the next phase of the project and guide the development of innovative, practical solutions that can strengthen agricultural resilience and support sustainable livelihoods for wheat farmers in Northwest Syria.
About RISE Syria: Resilient Irrigation for Smallholder Empowerment
Water scarcity is threatening food production and livelihoods in Northwest Syria. Led by Engineers Without Borders Norway together with other project partners including Response Innovation Lab and funded by Innovation Norway, this project develops climate-resilient irrigation solutions that strengthen wheat and barley farming while protecting scarce water resources.
This project distinguishes itself through a practical, inclusive, and locally grounded approach to innovation. Rather than imposing unfamiliar or disruptive agricultural practices, it will enhance and optimize the irrigation methods that wheat and barley farmers in Northwest Syria already use and trust. By aligning with existing systems and building on local knowledge, the project increases the likelihood of sustained adoption and meaningful impact.
The project will introduce data-driven tools that complement, rather than replace, current practices. By providing user-friendly, accessible technologies and locally relevant data, farmers can make informed decisions, improve productivity, and manage resources sustainably. Ultimately, this is an innovation model that centres on people, respects tradition, and unlocks progress. It blends modern tools with local expertise to deliver a solution that is both technologically sound and socially transformative.