About

Who we are…

Common Space Initiative is a national political movement that was officially launched in 2022 after a series of consultations and dialogues spanning several years.

This movement was founded by a group of actors from Syrian civil society backgrounds, believing in the necessity of creating a free and safe space that unites Syrians around shared national aspirations, far from any polarisation or division.

The initiative seeks to build a democratic, pluralistic Syria based on justice, citizenship, and dignity.

What we seek to achieve through the Common Space Initiative:

  • Establish the initiative as a political platform with a comprehensive national discourse.
  • Support political and economic stability in Syria as a prerequisite for rebuilding the state.
  • Coordinate efforts among national forces, both internally and externally, free from ideological alignments or subordination to any external axes.
  • Establish a national political party that reflects the aspirations of the Syrian people.

Strengthen partnerships with political and national forces and international bodies concerned with Syrian affairs, to ensure genuine representation of the Syrian people.

Founding Documents

The initiative’s founding statement was announced in September 2022, followed by the adoption of the General Charter and Bylaws, which regulate the relationship between members and define the institutional framework.

Review the full documents

Our Position on the Future Political Map...

Since its inception, the “Common Space” has not merely been a space for dialogue. Instead, it has clearly expressed its rejection of the Assad regime, raising the slogan of overthrowing the regime as the first step toward building a democratic Syria based on justice, citizenship, and dignity.

With the fall of the regime, the initiative has evolved into a national actor seeking to engage directly in shaping Syria’s future.

Today, the “Common Space” is crystallising as an inclusive political framework that includes a broad spectrum of Syrians seeking to build a democratic system. It is also working to form the nucleus for the establishment of a national political party, while continuing its role as a space for coordination and interaction between various national forces and components.

Vision and Goals

At the Shared Space Initiative, we seek to achieve a set of strategic objectives that form a roadmap for our work:

  • Consolidating the initiative as a political platform that adopts an inclusive national discourse.

  • Supporting political and economic stability in Syria as a fundamental prerequisite for rebuilding the state and its institutions.

  • Coordinating efforts among various national forces inside and outside the country, away from ideological alignments or dependence on external axes.

  • Establishing a national political party that genuinely represents Syrians’ aspirations for building a democratic future.

  • Strengthening partnerships with political and national forces and international actors involved in Syrian affairs, to ensure true representation of Syrians’ will.

2011

The Outbreak of the Syrian Revolution

Internationally

  • The first European and U.S. sanctions were imposed on key figures of the regime.

  • Turkey opened its borders to refugees and announced its support for the revolution.

  • The formation of the Friends of Syria alliance began as an international framework to support the Syrian cause.

The Role of the Shared Space Initiative at This Stage

At this stage, the initiative consisted of civil discussion groups bringing together activists and national actors who began searching for a unified political voice for Syrians.
This initial intellectual nucleus later laid the foundation for the concept of the Shared Space, representing a forum for dialogue and the exchange of perspectives, and serving as a starting point for the idea of establishing an inclusive, unified political body.

 
 
2011

2012

The First International Recognition and the Expansion of the Political Track

Domestically

  • The expansion of liberated areas and the emergence of local civil administration structures.

  • The growth of the Free Syrian Army’s organizational activities.

Internationally

  • The convening of Friends of Syria conferences in Tunisia and Turkey, with dozens of countries declaring their support for the revolution.

  • Several European states recognized opposition political bodies as legitimate representatives.

  • The United Nations began deploying observers, but the brutal regime obstructed their mission.

The Role of the Shared Space Initiative

The working groups that would later evolve into the initiative were closely monitoring international developments and began formulating a national discourse that transcended divisions.
Members of these groups also started to participate individually in civil and humanitarian meetings, aiming to convey an accurate picture of the aspirations of the Syrian people.

 
 
2012

2013

The Chemical Weapons Attacks and the Major Political Turning Point

Domestically

  • The chemical attack on Ghouta and the unprecedented shock it caused among Syrians.

  • The expansion of armed mobilization and military operations.

Internationally

  • A broad international stance condemning the criminal acts of the murderous regime.

  • Threats of a military strike, later replaced by an agreement to dismantle chemical weapons.

  • The beginning of global discourse on the necessity of a political transition in Syria.

The Role of the Shared Space Initiative

Within the initiative’s groups, the conviction grew that political confrontation was essential to deter the regime and to highlight its crimes on both political and media levels.
Activists within the initiative (prior to its official announcement) began developing a civic political discourse based on:

  • The Syrian people’s right to freedom and dignity

  • The protection of civilians and the exposure of the regime’s violations

  • The rejection of authoritarianism and the necessity of change

 
 
2013

2014 – 2015

The Rise of ISIS, Russian Intervention, and the Reshaping of International Alliances

Domestically

  • ISIS seized control of Raqqa and vast surrounding areas.

  • Direct Russian military intervention in 2015 to prop up the brutal regime.

Internationally

  • The formation of the international coalition against ISIS.

  • The adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which laid the foundation for a political transition and the drafting of a new constitution.

  • Expanded humanitarian and political support from countries backing the Syrian people.

The Role of the Shared Space Initiative

The initiative’s groups began attending international political, civil, and humanitarian meetings as an independent civil actor, with the aim of:

  • Conveying the true picture of the suffering of Syrians

  • Explaining the roots and objectives of the revolution

  • Confronting misleading narratives and the distortion of the popular movement

This early engagement helped establish a broad network of relationships that would later play an important role.

 
 
2014 – 2015

2016 – 2018

The Fall of Cities and the Rise of Civil and Political Action

Domestically

  • The fall of eastern Aleppo (2016).

  • The brutal regime’s takeover of Ghouta, Daraa, and vast areas (2018).

  • Widespread forced displacement operations.

Internationally

  • Additional international sanctions imposed on the regime.

  • International legal efforts to prosecute regime figures for war crimes.

  • Extensive support programs for Syrian civil society from allied countries.

The Role of the Shared Space Initiative

The initiative’s discussions evolved into the formulation of a clear national vision based on:

  • Building a democratic state

  • Rejecting sectarianism

  • Broad Syrian participation in decision-making

Members began taking part in international forums to convey an authentic Syrian narrative, countering the distortion produced by the brutal regime.
This period marked the stage in which the initiative’s form as an idea was fully consolidated and began to transition from an intellectual project into an institutional political pathway.

 
 
2016 – 2018

2019 – 2021

Domestic Political Stalemate amid Expanded International Engagement

Domestically

  • Stabilized front lines.

  • Severe economic collapse in regime-controlled areas.

  • Protests in Suwayda and Daraa.

Internationally

  • The Caesar Act came into force, economically strangling the regime.

  • Continued refusal to proceed with reconstruction in the absence of a political transition.

  • The expansion of legal cases in Europe against regime officials.

The Role of the Shared Space Initiative

The initiative’s activities expanded, with its members maintaining a regular presence in:

  • Political meetings

  • Closed international sessions

  • Humanitarian conferences

  • Civil society–related meetings

The aim of this engagement was to:

  • Explain the Syrian reality as it truly is

  • Confront misleading narratives

  • Restore the Syrian cause to the international agenda

This participation strengthened the initiative’s standing as one of the most effective civil voices and helped build trust between it and key international stakeholders.

 
 
2019 – 2021

2022 – 2023

The Official Launch of the Initiative and Its Entry into the Political Arena

Domestically

  • The expansion of protests in the south.

  • The deepening collapse of the brutal regime.

Internationally

  • Russia’s preoccupation with the war in Ukraine.

  • Increased international pressure regarding the detainees file.

  • Friendly states reactivated the political track and reopened justice-related files.

The Official Announcement of the Shared Space Initiative

The initiative officially transformed into a national political movement seeking to:

  • Establish an inclusive political platform

  • Unite civil forces

  • Build a comprehensive political framework

  • Represent the aspirations of Syrians

Members of the initiative began playing a prominent role in international political conferences, with their primary focus being to convey the voice of the Syrian people and the true reality on the ground to influential actors involved in the Syrian file.

 
 
2022 – 2023

2024

The Year of the Regime’s Fall and the Victory of the Revolution

Domestically

  • The collapse of the security apparatus.

  • Protests erupting in the coastal region for the first time.

  • The brutal regime losing control over vast areas without fighting.

Internationally

  • A reduced Russian role and Iran’s withdrawal from several fronts.

  • Clear political support from Germany, France, Canada, and the United States.

  • Diplomatic movement within the UN Security Council toward establishing a transitional administration.

  • The unification of allied countries’ positions around the demand for the regime’s overthrow and the launch of a genuine political transition.

The Role of the Shared Space Initiative

During this phase, the initiative was active on multiple levels:

  • Accurately conveying the realities on the ground to the international community

  • Participating in UN and non-UN political meetings

  • Formulating visions for the transitional phase

  • Supporting civil mobilization

A nucleus of cooperation began to take shape between the initiative and other national forces, with the exchange of ideas and coordination of positions alongside several political bodies.

 
 
2024

December 8, 2024

The Fall of the Brutal Regime and the Victory of the Revolution

    • The collapse of the security apparatus in Damascus.

    • National and local forces taking control of the capital.

    • The flight of the murderous head of the regime to Moscow.

    • The declaration that Syria has entered a historic transitional phase.

    After the Fall – The Beginning of a New National Path

    Internationally

    • A wave of political recognition in support of the transitional phase.

    • The launch of international initiatives to rebuild state institutions.

    • The establishment of an international support fund for the Syrian people.

    Nationally – The Role of the Shared Space Initiative

    • Strengthening communication with national forces engaged in the new path.

    • Working to transform the initiative into an inclusive, formal political framework that paves the way for the establishment of a national party representing the aspirations of Syrians.

    • Continuing active participation in international and local conferences and meetings to convey the Syrian vision of freedom, justice, citizenship, and the shape of post-Assad Syria.

December 8, 2024

General Secretariat

Our core values

Freedom

We believe that individual freedom and dignity are the foundation for building a healthy society and a bright future.

Justice

We strive to achieve justice for all Syrians and to ensure the rule of law and accountability.

Participation

We work to create a space that brings all Syrians together around shared national aspirations, away from any polarization.

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