Anti‑Hate‑Speech Campaign in Syria

Goals and Objectives of the Assignment

Under the Trusted Voices project, Search for Common Ground seeks to engage a media or cultural organization to design and implement a community-based engagement activity that complements the ongoing Anti-Hate Speech Campaign.

The objective of this assignment is to strengthen the campaign’s impact through one main in-person community event that promotes social cohesion, counters hate speech, and encourages constructive dialogue among diverse Syrian communities.

The selected agency will be expected to design and implement the following:

1. Community Cultural Event / Festival

Design and implement one community-based cultural event aimed at promoting coexistence, shared identity, and constructive dialogue. The event may include cultural performances, storytelling, artistic expressions, or interactive community engagement activities.

The event should:

Be informed by EWER findings and identified priority narratives and address relevant hate speech trends and emerging risks identified through project monitoring

Be implemented in one or more feasible localities within Syria, to be proposed by the agency and approved before contract signature

Bring together participants from diverse backgrounds

Promote anti-hate speech messaging

Encourage dialogue and social cohesion

Reach approximately 100–200 participants through direct engagement during the event activities

Be feasible within the one-month timeline

The event is expected to contribute to the following intended impact:

Increased awareness of harmful effects of hate speech

Encouraging respectful dialogue and inclusive communication

Promoting positive community interaction and social cohesion

Supporting behavioural change such as reducing engagement in hate speech and encouraging constructive online interaction

2. Community Engagement Elements within the Event

The event may include simple interactive components such as:

Storytelling sessions

Artistic or cultural performances

Interactive audience participation

Exhibitions or community displays

These elements should remain light, feasible, and aligned with campaign objectives, while ensuring inclusivity and accessibility. Activities should take into consideration diversity in age, gender, and disability, and aim to create safe and inclusive spaces that encourage participation from different community groups.

3. Media Documentation and Production

The selected agency will document the event and produce:

One short documentary highlighting the event and key messages, including:

Duration: approximately 2–4 minutes

Format: Horizontal (16:9), suitable for online dissemination

Content: Event highlights, participant voices, key campaign messages, and community engagement moments, Interviews with participants, relevant stakeholders

Quality: Professional filming, editing, sound balancing, and basic color correction

Subtitles: Arabic subtitles (and English subtitles)

Branding: Inclusion of campaign branding and logos as provided by Search

The documentary should be suitable for dissemination on social media platforms and use in reporting and visibility materials.

One highlight video summarizing the activities, including:

Duration: 60–90 seconds

Format: Vertical (9:16) optimized for social media platforms

Content: Key moments from activities, participant engagement, and core campaign messages

Quality: Professional editing, sound balancing, and basic motion graphics where relevant

Subtitles: Arabic subtitles for accessibility

Branding: Consistent visual identity aligned with campaign branding

The highlight video should be designed for quick dissemination and engagement across social media platforms.

Photo documentation of the event

These materials will support campaign dissemination and reporting.

4. Content Dissemination

The agency will support dissemination of produced materials through:

Social media platforms

Media partners

Participating influencers or content creators (where feasible)

5. Coordination and Reporting

The selected agency will coordinate closely with Search for Common Ground to ensure:

Messaging alignment

Conflict-sensitive content

Timely implementation

The agency will submit:

Brief implementation plan

Event documentation

Final summary report

Scope of Work and Responsibilities 

The selected agency will be responsible for the full planning, coordination, and implementation of the proposed community-based activities. This includes end-to-end management of all logistical, operational, and stakeholder engagement components required for successful delivery within the agreed timeframe.

Specifically, the selected agency will be responsible for:

1. Planning and Coordination

Developing a detailed implementation plan and timeline

Identifying suitable locations and venues for the event

Coordinating all logistical arrangements required for implementation

Ensuring feasibility within the one-month timeframe

2. Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach

The selected agency will be responsible for identifying, contacting, and engaging relevant stakeholders, including:

Community representatives

Managing participant outreach and invitations

Civil society organizations

Youth groups

Cultural actors and artists

Media representatives

Content creators and influencers (where relevant)

The agency will ensure appropriate participation and representation of diverse community members.

3. Permissions and Approvals

The selected agency will be responsible for obtaining all required:

Obtaining necessary approvals from relevant local authorities where required

Venue approvals

Event-related clearances

Coordination with local partners where needed

Search for Common Ground will provide general guidance but will not lead operational coordination.

4. Event Logistics and Implementation

The agency will manage all event-related logistics, including:

Venue coordination

Participant outreach

Event facilitation

Equipment and technical requirements

Travel and accommodation (if required)

On-site coordination and management

5. Media Documentation

The agency will:

Arrange filming and photography

Produce documentary and highlight video

Ensure quality and timely delivery of outputs

6. Coordination with Search

The agency will maintain regular communication with Search for:

Messaging alignment

Activity approval

Progress updates

Risk mitigation

Geographic Locations

The proposed activities are expected to be implemented in one or more locations within Syria, depending on feasibility, access, and the agency’s operational capacity. Applicants are encouraged to propose locations that enable meaningful community engagement and participation from diverse groups, while ensuring safe and practical implementation within the one-month timeframe.

The selected agency will be responsible for identifying suitable locations, coordinating with local stakeholders and partners, and ensuring inclusive participation from different communities. Documentation materials generated from the activities should support broader national dissemination through digital platforms and media outreach.

Applicants are required to propose specific localities as part of their technical proposal. Final locations must be identified and agreed upon prior to contract signature, in coordination with Search for Common Ground.

Theme

The campaign will focus on countering hate speech through community-based engagement and cultural dialogue activities that promote tolerance, inclusion, and social cohesion across diverse Syrian communities.

The assignment will aim to create safe and inclusive spaces where participants from different backgrounds can interact, share experiences, and engage in constructive dialogue that challenges harmful narratives and reduces hostility.

The campaign will integrate community engagement with media documentation, ensuring that stories, interactions, and shared experiences emerging from the activities are captured and disseminated to amplify positive narratives and encourage respectful communication.

Messaging will highlight shared values, coexistence, and collective identity, while promoting constructive dialogue and reducing polarization within Syrian communities.

Target Audience

The primary target audience for the campaign is Syrian social‑media users, particularly those active on Facebook, Instagram, X,  and other platforms where harmful narratives often spread. Preliminarily identified audience segments include:

Youth and students, especially in conflict‑affected areas.

Media professionals, social media content creators, and digital activists

Women and girls, with messaging that fosters safe, inclusive spaces and equal voice.

Men and boys, with content promoting positive masculinity and addressing trauma, unemployment, and social pressure.

Activities should ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities, where feasible, including:

Accessible venues where possible

Inclusive communication formats

Subtitles for video documentation

Consideration of participation barriers

The expected number of direct participants through in-person activities is approximately 100–200 participants across all activities.

Schedule, Duration, and Expected Reach

The assignment is expected to be implemented within one month.

The implementation will include:

Planning and coordination

Preparation and logistical arrangements

Implementation of community-based activities

Documentation, dissemination, and reporting

The selected agency is expected to implement at least one main community-based activity and produce documentation materials that support the broader Anti-Hate Speech Campaign.

The expected reach will include both direct participants in the community activities and wider audiences through dissemination of documentation materials via digital platforms.

Review of the campaign

The selected agency will work closely with Search for Common Ground to ensure alignment with the campaign objectives and messaging.

All proposed activities, event concepts, and documentation plans must be submitted for review and approval prior to implementation.

Regular coordination meetings will be held to:

Review implementation plans

Ensure messaging alignment

Address operational challenges

Monitor progress

Search for Common Ground will provide guidance on messaging, conflict-sensitivity, and overall campaign alignment. The selected agency will be responsible for operational coordination and implementation.

The agency must remain flexible and responsive to feedback, particularly given the short implementation timeframe.

Quality Checks and Control

The selected agency must ensure that all activities and documentation meet professional and ethical standards.

This includes:

Ensuring activities are well-organized and inclusive

Ensuring documentation quality (video, photography, and media outputs)

Ensuring messaging is clear, culturally appropriate, and conflict-sensitive

The agency is responsible for maintaining quality throughout planning, implementation, and documentation phases.

Ethical Considerations

The contracted agency must ensure that all activities are conflict-sensitive and adhere to the Do No Harm principle.

Key considerations include:

Inclusivity

Ensure participation from diverse groups, including different regions, genders, and age groups.

Participant Safety

Ensure safe and respectful participation in all activities.

Do No Harm

Avoid activities or messaging that may increase tensions or reinforce harmful narratives.

Data Protection

Ensure proper consent for photography, filming, and documentation.

Transparency

Clearly communicate the purpose of the activities to participants and stakeholders.