Danish-supported civil society partners in Lebanon

Denmark supports the Danish Refugee Council's efforts to help Syrian refugees and vulnerable host communities in Lebanon, with a special focus on women and young people, in seeking protection and claiming their fundamental rights through protection and economic recovery services. Protection programming includes psychosocial support, case management and legal aid to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), persons with specific needs, and at-risk children. In addition, through Denmark’s support, DRC works to promote individuals’ self-sufficiency through economic recovery programs which include career guidance, opportunities for vocational training, awareness raising about decent work conditions, and cash for work opportunities. Through the latter, DRC works to ensure sustainable solutions for all groups affected by displacement. DRC closely engages with local authorities and ministries on protection and livelihood services, as well as focuses on capacity building of civil society partners. 

Example of project

DRC in partnership with two local NGOs, NABAD for Development and Hadatha, is implementing a multi-sectoral 12-months project “Emerging Shocks and Stresses in Lebanon“ to respond to emergency shocks and enhance the resilience, protection and safeguarding of 3,000 children, women at risk, elderly, and persons with disabilities in rural, hard-to-reach areas of Bekaa, Baalbek-Hermel and Akkar. Under this project, DRC provides health, hygiene, and protection sensitization activities, cholera kits, and capacity-building for community focal points. Additionally, survivors of gender-based violence and persons with specific needs receive case management services, psychosocial support, and access to legal aid services. Moreover, DRC provides winterization items, tailored employability activities and work-based learning opportunities

to support access to labor market and enhance the resilience of vulnerable women and Persons with Specific Needs. Cash for work projects are also implemented to provide income-generating opportunities and sustainability.

DRC, with its local partner Shift Social Innovation Hub (SHiFT), is implementing a 12-month project "Strengthening Protection of, Economics Systems and Durable Solutions for Refugees and Affected Host Communities in the Middle East” to deliver vital integrated Protection and Economic Recovery services to 1,120 individuals in Northern Lebanon. The project aims to enhance access to Decent Work Conditions (DWC) for Lebanese and refugee populations. DRC and SHiFT focus on a core package of legal activities such as legal awareness raising for beneficiaries and employers and one-on-one legal counselling. Lawyers providing legal counselling analyse cases and advise on appropriate legal options based on the best interest of clients and refer to other legal agencies. DRC also delivers Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) grants and technical trainings to businesses affected by the economic and financial crisis to support their continued operations to the Lebanese market. To ensure inclusivity, DRC consults target groups about their protection concerns and needs on a regular basis to inform the response and ensure adaptive programming. Moreover, DRC aims to strengthen the capacity of the local partner Shift in employability services (career counselling, job placements, work-based learning).

Lastly, DRC and local partner Nabad are implementing a 36-month project "Bridging the Prevention Gap in Jordan and Lebanon: Evidence-Based Behaviour-Change Programming for More Protective Homes and Communities" targeting 3,000 individuals in the Bekaa and North of Lebanon. The project aims to reduce gender-based violence (GBV) risks at the household level by targeting men and boys through prevention interventions, such as the Engaging Men Through Accountable Practice” (EMAP). The project also focuses on focused psychosocial support (PSS) and community-based PSS, which specifically address GBV and rights with a child protection (CP) lens. Additionally, DRC provides legal representation, counseling, and legal mediation with landlords to enhance its existing comprehensive protection response package. The project also focuses on strengthening the capacities of local partners to demonstrate positive change in GBV/CP prevention.

Areas
With the support of DANIDA, the Danish Refugee Council works in northern Lebanon, Tripoli, Akkar, Bekaa and Baalbek.

Local Partners
The Danish Refugee Council works, among others, with Nabad, Al Hadatha, SHIFT and Chamber of Commerce with the financial support of DANIDA.

Read more about the Danish Refugee Council on its website:
DRC | Dansk Flygtningehjælp

Danish Red Cross has been present in Lebanon since 2013 and has a long-term and solid partnership with the Lebanese Red Cross. Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) has 32 branches throughout the country, 12,000 volunteers, and 300 employees, giving it access to large parts of Lebanon. In a nation increasingly characterized by political and social turmoil, epidemic, economic chaos, and sectarian tensions, LRC continues to be a well-established organisation and a respected civil society organizations in Lebanon. LRC offers services in several fields including Emergency Medical Services, Blood Transfusion Services, Medical and Social Services, Disaster Management, and Disaster Risk Reduction.

LRC is guided by the humanitarian principle of neutrality and having access to all parts of the country. With a growing health care crisis in the country, LRC strives to let their services be available to populations in Lebanon when it comes to continued access to emergency health care.

Example of project

With funding from DANIDA and the Danish Embassy in Lebanon, DRC is supporting LRC to enhance healthcare services for vulnerable populations in Lebanon. The project, titled "Building Hope for the Future: Protection of Women and Displaced Persons Through Access to Essential Services in Vulnerable Communities in Lebanon," focuses on improving health conditions for the vulnerable population including Syrian refugees. It aims to provide comprehensive healthcare, including mental health and psychosocial support, while also supporting the upgrade and standardization of LRC's health facilities to meet the increasing demand for services. The project is also directly contributing to ensuring access to emergency health remains available for all vulnerable populations in Lebanon, including refugees, migrants, and host community members. Support to the Emergency Medical Service means that people in Lebanon affected by emergencies and crises will have their acute emergency needs met irrespective of social class, religious background, or nationality. Additionally, DANIDA funds support the integration of disaster risk reduction measures, livelihood initiatives for social protection, and a resilience program for children and youth within targeted communities.

Areas
Lebanese Red Cross is present in all parts of Lebanon

Partners

Lebanese Red Cross, Red Crescent, and other Red Cross partners.

Click the links below to see a selection of Danish-supported Red Cross initiatives in Lebanon

Video of Red Cross volunteers responding to Beirut port explosion:
Beirut Port Explosion - Experiences of the First Arriving LRC Rescue Teams - YouTube

Read more about the Red Cross on its website:
Røde Kors | Altid til stede (rodekors.dk)

DanChurchAid is working in Lebanon since 2006, initially with a focus on Humanitarian Mine Action – clearing landmines and unexploded munitions – but currently also with a focus on Humanitarian programming, support their local partners to provide relief towards all people in need.

DanChurchAid and their national partners have been providing relief to all those in need; Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese. As the challenges faced by the people in Lebanon have multiplied over the years, so has their support. Along with their partners DanChurchAid is helping to clearing mines and providing lifesaving support towards all people in need, they focus on building resilient communities seeking to enable people to stand-up for their rights and face new challenges such as climate change. Futhermore, they focus on fighting extreme inequality, and supporting human rights activist who are addressing inequality within the Lebanese society.

Together with AgriMovement, their Lebanese partner, DanChurchAid is trying to link the different activities; working with communities and farmers to introduce sustainable agriculture initiatives on land that has been cleared by DanChurchAid teams of land mines. This work is supported by DANIDA.

With their colleagues in Copenhagen, DanChurchAid also links Lebanese organisations with Danish organisations, in order to create engagement in Denmark. Under this program, the Danish Scouts will be closely work and have exchanges with the Kanafani Cultural Foundation in Lebanon.

Example of project
DanChurchAid, in collaboration with their local partners, supports the project "Promoting the empowerment and resilience of youth and future generations of youth from vulnerable populations". This project is funded by DANIDA. The project uses a rights-based approach to facilitate engagement and includes several different activities which support the goal of improving the well-being and resilience of Lebanese, Palestinian, and Syrian youth.  Activities include delivering training to the local population on leadership critical thinking, and vocational training, setting up workshops and sharing media reports and podcasts to encourage the youth to take an active interest in their surroundings and communities. In addition to planning and organizing initiatives and events to increase social cohesion in the areas. The project thereby aims to provide improved access to livelihood opportunities and educational services in Lebanon.

Areas
DanChurchAid clears mines in Mount Lebanon and the South on the Blue Line. Their national partners support people in need throughout the country.

Local partners
Lebanese Mine Action Center, Amel Association International, Borderless NGO and Fraternity Association, Development for People and Nature Association, Union for Relief and Development Association, Al Jana and AgriMovement.

Read more about DanChurchAid on its website:

Folkekirkens Nødhjælp: Vi redder liv, når katastrofen rammer. Nødhjælp siden 1922. (noedhjaelp.dk)

ActionAid Arab Region (AAAR) operates in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria where it supports young people and women. AAAR has three main priorities: humanitarian response and protection, women’s rights and youth civic and political participation. AAAR is working through women and youth led local organizations strengthening the participation of women and youth, especially girls, and their community based organization in local and national development processes. AAAR has established women safe spaces and youth hubs in the three countries to offer safe spaces to empower women and youth to lead and cascade sustainable change in their communities. Furthermore, AAAR aims to address structural causes of violence against women and girls, as well as strengthen and secure women’s economic justice by engaging local communities and partners involved in protracted crisis. AAAR is guided by feminist and human right-based principles and approaches seeking to shift and transform power, through empowerment, solidarity, campaigning and the generation of alternatives.

Example of project
In 2019-2021, AAAR with its local partners Dawaer and USpeak implemented a Youth Emergency project in Lebanon to build hope and agency of youth for collective actions in protracted crisis as an innovative initiative. By the establishment of one Youth Hub in Baalbeck and one Youth Hub in Joub Jannine, the project built capacities of 1,027 young people through vocational training (e.g. photography classes, computer literacy, etc.) and equipped 84 young women and men with skills to lead eight social cohesion actions and two humanitarian responses i.e. Covid-19 in Bekaa and the Beirut Blast. Youth were directly involved in humanitarian responses, strengthening their capacities and management skills, and empowering them to take on their role as change agents in their communities. This increased their sense of hope and usefulness and it helped the communities and vulnerable families. A total of 5,315 community members were reached through youth-led social cohesion and humanitarian action initiatives.

Areas
Baalbeck-Hermel, Bekaa and Beirut.

Local Partners
Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering (RDFL), USpeak and Dawaer Foundation.

Read more about ActionAid Arab Region on its website here:
Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke (ms.dk)

Since 2019, Mission East has developed its Syria Regional programme, working in both Syria and Lebanon, into one that prioritizes self-reliance and resilience-building and contributes to emergency response while making a connection to overall sustainable recovery. The programme works with inclusive, integrated approaches to address a range of needs and vulnerabilities, from evolving immediate humanitarian needs to sustainable recovery and resilience-building. Simultaneously it works to build social cohesion between refugee/internally displaced/returnee and host communities in Syria and Lebanon, targeting some of the most vulnerable population groups such as women, children and youth.

Example of project
Mission East's latest program is one of three programs implemented by Mission East and its Lebanese partners since 2019. The project provides crisis-stricken households in Syria and Lebanon with Covid-adapted hygiene packages, food and protection services, in order to meet urgent humanitarian and protection needs. Protection benefits include psychosocial support and awareness raising about gender-based violence, domestic violence, and issues related to the protection of children. The program also supports Syrian refugee families in Lebanon with legal assistance to facilitate documentation, registration and access to basic services. At the same time, the project helps to minimize the harmful survival strategies among the most vulnerable households.

Areas
Beirut, Aley in Mount Lebanon and Batroun in northern Lebanon.

Local partners
Dorcas International and Tabhita with sub-partner Migration Services and Development.

Read more about Mission East on its website:
Mission East

Oxfam has been creating an impact continuously since its inception in Lebanon in 1993. Over the time, its programme has kept focus on responding to pressing needs and trends and, at present, it is active in the sectors of Humanitarian Response and Resilience, Inclusive Economic Development and Good Governance, with Gender Justice as a cross cutting priority. In addition, Oxfam IBIS’ Policy, Advocacy, and Influencing work is based on programme evidence, continuous political and economic analyses, and tackles key issues related to poverty and rights in its engagement with external and internal stakeholders. With support from Denmark and in collaboration with local partners, Oxfam IBIS in Lebanon was able to implement for the past 3 years life-saving activities, capacity building and community advocacy, establish community structures, promote the decent work agenda and uphold workers’ rights and build resilience in some of the most vulnerable areas in Lebanon, including North Bekaa and Tripoli.

Example of project
With funding from Danida, Oxfam IBIS is implementing a comprehensive WASH and protection intervention that responds to immediate humanitarian needs of both the refugee and host communities in North Bekaa. WASH needs are addressed through e.g. provision of sanitation and water facilities and services, menstrual hygiene management and hygiene promotion, while protection threats and concerns are identified and mitigated through community structures and focal points (women, youth and men). Holistic GBV programming and legal assistance complete the response.

Areas
Northern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley and the Palestinian refugee camps.

Local Partners

Nabad, KAFA, the Lebanese Centre for Human Rights (CLDH) and ALEF.

Read more about Oxfam IBIS on its website:
Oxfam IBIS | Sammen mod ulighed

Save the Children works in Lebanon with funds from the Danish government. The focus is on the many Syrian refugees as well as on the most vulnerable children, young people and families in host communities. In cooperation with Lebanese civil society organizations, Save the Children works to ensure relief and protection, and to help children return to school after long-term absences. Save the Children works with local actors to strengthen children's self-esteem and social skills so that they can better protect themselves and others, provide psychological first aid, and launch creative activities and group courses that allow children to recover from war trauma. Save the Children supports young people in their efforts to be heard and have a say.

Example of project
With the Al-Bawsala project, Save the Children seeks through Danish funds to promote young people's voices and support the advocacy activities of youth-led groups, e.g. through mentoring and by helping them develop the necessary knowledge. It is a regional program which also covers Jordan, Egypt, Iraq and Yemen and which works with young people living in extremely difficult conditions. The purpose of the project is to strengthen civil society organizations, youth-led informal groups, and regional networks. In Lebanon, the project is a collaboration with U-Speak, Association Najdeh and a group of young Palestinians in the Bourj al-Barajneh camp, who are working to change the conditions around life-threatening electrical installations where they live.

Areas
Bekaa and Beirut

Local partners
Nabad for Development, Al Majmoua, Association Najdeh and U-speak

Read more about Save the Children on its website:
Red Barnet | Støt og red børn i Danmark og resten af verden

The International Center for Religion & Diplomacy (ICRD) works to bridge the gap between religious considerations and global peace-building practices at the grassroots level. In Lebanon, the ICRD supports local efforts to create positive change and lasting peace.

Example of project
The project "Increased capacity for change in Lebanon through entertainment-based educational offerings" is being implemented in collaboration with ICRD's partners Big Bad Boo Studios, INITIATE and Thaki. The aim is to support efforts to create a safer and healthier environment for upbringing and development among vulnerable children and their families in Lebanon. Through the development and wide distribution of an animated series, complemented by targeted teaching materials, the ICRD and its partners aim to address key social issues facing children and families in the region, such as the Syrian refugee crisis, the prevalence of gender-based violence and the importance of mental health.

Areas
Online platforms in Jordan and Lebanon as well as through physical education in schools in Lebanon.

Local Partners
Big Bad Boo Studios, INITIATE and Thaki.

Read more about ICRD on its website here:
International Center for Religion and Diplomacy (icrd.org)

Since 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross has provided humanitarian assistance to persons affected by armed conflict and emergency, and has promoted understanding and respect for international humanitarian law. In Lebanon, the International Committee of the Red Cross is working to address the growing needs of refugees and the Lebanese host community. This includes the distribution of food and hygiene packages, cash contributions for shelter and medicine, help and training for small businesses, and assistance for agriculture. In addition, the International Committee of the Red Cross has been an important part of the COVID response in Lebanon and has played a crucial role in efforts and treatment following the port explosion in Beirut.

Example of project
Denmark has supported the International Committee of the Red Cross' response to the port explosion in Beirut. Together with its local partners, the Lebanese Red Cross and Red Crescent, the International Committee of the Red Cross has supported hospitals with the supply of medicine and equipment, the treatment of the wounded, the identification of the dead, and the repair of essential infrastructure, including water supplies, following the port explosion. In addition, the International Committee of the Red Cross offers psychosocial support to affected individuals.

Areas
International Red Cross is present in all parts of Lebanon

Local Partners
Lebanese Red Cross, Red Crescent and other Red Cross partners.

Read more about the ICRC on its website here:
International Committee of the Red Cross (icrc.org)

In 2007, GAME took the initiative for international projects, where the NGO expanded its street sports projects to Lebanon. After more than a decade of presence in Lebanon, GAME has projects running around the country, including Beirut, Mount Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, northern and southern Lebanon. In these regions, GAME has established so-called GAME Zones, which include projects with sport activities aimed at supporting vulnerable young people with different backgrounds, including young refugees and vulnerable youth from the host communities. The zones in Lebanon have been established both inside and outside the refugee camps. The various sport facilities should in the long run be able to create opportunities for entrepreneurship. The projects in the zones also provide an opportunity for young people to get free education as a volunteer at GAME with the opportunity to become role models for the other participants in the area.

Example of project
With Denmark's support via the MADAD Foundation, GAME in collaboration with its partners has joined forces on the project "Youth Resolve 2". The purpose of the project is to support young people with tools to develop their leadership skills, and in this way become active members in their respective districts. By the end of 2023, GAME has planned to have established 30 GAME zones and renovated the street sport facilities. The project provides an opportunity for both host communities and refugees to meet across cultures. The purpose is to train new volunteers as street sport instructors, thereby helping them become role models in their communities. As role models, they are also included in the project implementation team that works with children in the various neighbourhoods. The project has created the country's first street sports incubator. The incubator equips young people with essential knowledge, skills and facilities to help them develop ideas, organize themselves and start sports-related businesses.

In parallel, GAME has launched a new purely Danish-funded project. "Lebanese Youth Building Dreams", is a project that aims for young people to develop responsibility and social skills and use it in the local communities. The project trains young people to practice advocacy so that municipally owned land is transformed into public spaces, which can be used by youth for sports. Sport, leadership and advocacy equip the youth with the necessary tools and self-confidence to move around in society.

Areas
Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Bekaa Valley

Local Partners
World Vision, UTOPIA and DPNA

Read more about GAME on its website:
International NGO - GAME Denmark - WE LOVE ASPHALT

Danmission is an independent faith-based organisation affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark. In Lebanon, Danmission works through partnerships with religious institutions and churches, civil society organisations, international organisations, academia, and private sector actors and local authorities. Their work focuses on three overarching themes rooted in Danmission's vision of sustainable existence and peaceful coexistence: 1) Theology and social action 2) Dialogue and peacebuilding 3) Sustainable and just management of natural resources.

Example of projects

In the project "Towards Social Cohesion in Lebanon", Danmission and its partners work to increase the participation of young people and civil society in inclusive political and social reform processes. Young people, opinion leaders and religious actors from different geographical areas and religious backgrounds are engaged through workshops and they are supported to practice their learning through initiatives in their local communities. At the same time, Danmission is investing in technology for peace by building an online monitoring tool that can support all actors working to strengthen social cohesion in Lebanon.

In the project “Women, Religions, and Human Rights”, Danmission supports local partners in their work to address discrimination against women in Lebanon's religiously defined personal status laws. Lebanese law in its current form maintains the protection of the free exercise of all religious rights, yet Lebanon delegates the legislative and legal power over family matters to religious communities and their judges. The project is working to pave the way for the implementation of reforms that can change the situation.

Areas
All over Lebanon

Partners
Adyan Foundation, Forum for Development, Culture and Dialogue, National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon (NESSL), Compassionate Protestant Society, Middle East Council of Churches, Near East School of Theology (NEST).

Caritas Denmark’s new engagement in Lebanon is implemented in partnership with Caritas Lebanon. To address the increasing humanitarian needs in Lebanon, CDK supports CL’s Safe Shelter intervention with the aim of helping Syrian refugee women and children survivors of SGBV to access dignified protection and basic services that restore livelihoods, prevent negative coping mechanisms, and reduce the risk of exploitation. CL has been active in responding to the Syria crisis and is present throughout the country with 36 centers providing emergency and developmental interventions to vulnerable refugee populations, migrants, and host communities.

Example of project:

The project “Access to Protection and Livelihoods Opportunities for Women at Risk in Lebanon” aims at supporting CL’s Cedar Safe Shelter in providing immediate and quality protection and GBV services, including psychosocial support, social and legal counseling, combined with livelihoods activities such as technical skills training based on market demands and income generating opportunities. The nexus approach applied relates the provision of protection and basic services and emergency cash combined with livelihoods activities. This approach will increase the dignity and self-reliance of vulnerable people and reduce the dependency on humanitarian assistance. CL is operating the targeted Safe Shelter and collaborates closely with UNHCR, UNICEF, and local GBV actors to ensure access to safe referrals and quality protection services for Syrian women and children SGBV survivors. The project also focuses on increasing CL engagement and advocacy on matters related to equality, human trafficking, SGBV and Child protection both toward and in collaboration with local governmental structures and non-governmental entities.

Area

Mount Lebanon

Local partners

Caritas Lebanon

Read more about Caritas Denmark on its website here:
Caritas Danmark