ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses challenges and draws parallels between the challenges that youth in the Arab region generally face when it comes to community development and peacebuilding, and challenges the youth in Syria face in particular. It also discusses the impact of young people’s civic engagement and local peacebuilding on community development using case studies of youth who are engaged in community development and peacebuilding in Syria. To be a regime supporter or not is not the question when it comes to the current situation in Syria. Having had thousands killed, displaced, and detained proves that it is imperative nowadays on the youth in Syria to take action in the civil society. Hence, dozens of volunteer groups were formed to make ends meet. These actions were not always welcomed as the political atmosphere in the country is highly polarized. Many challenges face those youth who are engaged in civic engagement and community development in Syria. Campaigns are being launched by young people to confront the numerous challenges that exist today.
