Project Summary

According to The Presidency of Migration Management data, as of May 2025, approximately 2.7 million Syrians live in Turkiye, with the largest populations in Istanbul (473,687) and Gaziantep (381,024). As the war comes to an end on December 8, 2024, many host community members expect refugees to return to their home country. However, for some, returning in the short term will not be feasible for two main reasons: 1.) Over the past 13 years, Turkiye has evolved from a place of refuge into a new home for many Syrian refugees who have integrated into the economy, labor market, and education system. This transformation has led to the establishment of long-term livelihoods, strong community ties, and a sense of belonging among many refugees. 2.) Syria’s infrastructure, including public services, housing, and basic facilities, has been severely damaged by both the prolonged conflict and the devastating earthquake on February 6, 2023. As a result, the prospect of return for many remains uncertain and potentially unsafe.

The challenge of social cohesion was already significant for Syrian refugees in Turkiye. Social cohesion for Syrian refugees in Turkiye has been strained by events like the 2022 earthquake, economic hardship, and political shifts. These pressures have led to attacks on refugee homes and businesses, worsening social cohesion challenges. Moreover, rising societal tensions have fueled anti-refugee sentiment, further complicating coexistence efforts. Public discourse and media often portray Syrians as causes of unemployment, rising rents, and crime, deepening their marginalization (Hrant Dink Foundation, 2019; Refugees Association, 2025). Women and children are particularly vulnerable to social exclusion, as they often face both gender-based and refugee-specific forms of discrimination. Refugees also fear exclusionary policies from institutions and local governments. For example, the mayor of Kecioren in Ankara told Syrians to "go back to your homeland" and offered relocation services. Similar rhetoric came from the mayors of Kilis and Torbali, the latter posting a video of Syrians celebrating and promoting a one-way bus policy for their departure. These narratives, although often framed within political discourse, risk intensifying public resentment and further undermining social cohesion by reinforcing stereotypes and stigmatization (Kerem Morgül, Osman Savaskan, & Burcu Mutlu, 2021).

Given these dynamics, this research aims to understand how their continued presence will affect social cohesion and what strategies can support long-term peace. The research combines comprehensive mixed methods, including literature reviews, discourse analysis, focus groups, and interviews with refugees, NGOs, and local authorities in Istanbul and Gaziantep. Through these methods, the study seeks to capture both the structural and experiential dimensions of social cohesion. The project will also focus on policy recommendations, culminating in a structured policy document informed by workshops and stakeholder consultations. To ensure dissemination, findings will be shared via a dedicated website, social media platforms, and collaborations with key media actors and NGOs. The research outcomes will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals, providing a sustainable knowledge base for future studies. By combining academic research with practical policymaking, this project aims to contribute to evidence-based strategies that enhance long-term social cohesion in Turkiye.

Yusra Ak Bio

Yusra AK earned her master’s degree in Labour Economics and Industrial Relations from Istanbul University (Turkiye) in 2019 with a thesis titled “Disability and Poverty as a Multiple Disadvantage: The Case of Turkey.” She is currently pursuing her PhD at the same university as a scholarship holder of the Council of Higher Education’s 100/2000 Program, focusing on the transformation of work. Her academic and professional work explores the intersection of structural disadvantages - particularly disability, displacement, and poverty. She has taken part in various research and field projects addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable groups. For the past three years, she has been working in the humanitarian sector, contributing to efforts that support those most at risk.

Sude K. Tamer Bio

Turkiye, master's student, Management of Nongovernmental Organizations, Istanbul Medeniyet University – Research Focus: Digital Transformation, Migration, and Social Innovation in Civil Society

Sude K. Tamer is a TUBITAK fellow and master’s student in Management of Nongovernmental Organizations at Istanbul Medeniyet University (Turkiye), with a BSc in Industrial Engineering from Istanbul Sehir University (Turkiye). Her research focuses on the digital transformation of NGOs in Turkiye, particularly through the development of context-specific ERP systems. With over five years of experience in humanitarian action, she has led and developed programs on refugee livelihoods, health, protection, and social cohesion. Her interdisciplinary work engages with themes of migration governance, digitalization, refugee cohesion, and the role of social innovation and entrepreneurship in strengthening civil society responses to displacement. Alongside her academic pursuits, she provides consultancy in grant management, supporting NGOs in developing sustainable and impactful programming.

Yusra Ak's CV

Sude K. Tamer's CV