Enhancing CSOs’ ability to foster social stability in Hasbaya and Southern Baalbek

About the project:

1) Project Background

Lebanon's social stability is facing a swift deterioration due to several pressing issues. These include the prolonged economic crisis, escalating political tensions among those in power, the ongoing conflict in South Lebanon, and the absence of a coherent recovery plan.

In the regions of Southern Baalbeck and Hasbaya, situated in eastern Lebanon near the Syrian border, the context of social stability is characterised by a complex interplay of socio-political, economic, and security factors. Additionally, the economic challenges in Lebanon have hit the residents of Southern Baalbeck and Hasbaya hard, making social support and economic opportunities a pressing necessity. The security dynamics in these regions are also influenced by various factors.

In this challenging context, civil society organisations (CSOs) have emerged as pivotal actors in addressing the multifaceted issues affecting social stability. They have provided essential humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations, including refugees and those deeply affected by economic hardships. Simultaneously, they have undertaken advocacy and awareness campaigns, shedding light on critical social issues, and advocating for policies that target the root causes of instability. Nonetheless, civil society organisations (CSOs) operating in Lebanon confront several obstacles, encompassing program-related challenges, financial constraints, outdated policies, a limited understanding of implementing social stability projects, and insufficient personnel, all of which impede their capacity to effectively tackle issues pertaining to social stability within their communities. Despite the challenges, the resilience and dedication of these organisations offer optimism for a more stable and prosperous future in Baalbek and Hasbaya, reflecting the indomitable spirit of Lebanese communities.

2) Project objective:

Improved horizontal social stability in target communities (Southern Baalbeck and Hasbaya) through greater capacity of CSOs to conduct gender- and conflict-sensitive activities that strengthen the community at the local level.

International Alert’s intervention aims to support CSOs in Hasbaya and Southern Baalbeck to strengthen social stability in their communities. Participant CSOs will:

• Participate in comprehensive training sessions focused on conflict resolution and social stability, as well as integrating conflict sensitivity and gender sensitivity into project frameworks. Additionally, coaching will be provided to address organizational development requirements.

• Engage in tailored training and coaching sessions covering strategic planning, financial management, human resources management, procurement, accountability, child safeguarding, advocacy, communication, and other pertinent topics identified through organizational capacity assessments.

• Attend training sessions and receive coaching on designing and implementing initiatives aimed at promoting social stability, contingent upon the approval of funding for participating CSOs.

• Take part in reflection and learning sessions facilitated by Alert, aimed at documenting the outcomes of initiatives and consolidating insights to inform future efforts in promoting social stability and implementing conflict-sensitive initiatives. 

Selection Criteria:

1. Registered civil society organisations with ongoing projects or projects implemented in the past 2 years in the target areas, Hasbaya and Southern Baalbeck: We are seeking civil society organisations that are formally registered and have a track record of executing projects within the specified geographical regions of Hasbaya and Southern Baalbeck. This criterion ensures that participating organisations have established operational presence and experience within the communities they serve.
2. Previous experience with institutional donors: Preference will be given to organisations that have prior experience in engaging with institutional donors. This criterion reflects our interest in working with organisations that have demonstrated competency in managing donor-funded projects and adhering to donor requirements.
3. Previous experience working with diverse target groups, especially those with a focus on youth, women, people with disabilities, or other marginalized groups: We are looking for organisations that have a history of effectively engaging with diverse populations, with particular emphasis on groups that may face barriers to inclusion. This criterion underscores our commitment to promoting inclusivity and addressing the needs of marginalized communities.
4. Commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender equality: We expect participating organisations to uphold and promote principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender equality in their operations and project implementations. This criterion aligns with our overarching goal of fostering environments that are fair, inclusive, and respectful of all individuals regardless of background or identity.
5. Demonstrated interest in and capacity to work on social stability: Organisations should demonstrate a genuine interest in addressing issues related to social stability and possess the requisite capacity to contribute meaningfully to initiatives aimed at promoting stability within their respective communities. This criterion ensures that participating organisations are well-suited to the objectives of the program.
6. Demonstrated presence of financial systems (annual report or a financial report): We require evidence of robust financial management systems, which can be demonstrated through the provision of annual reports or financial statements. This criterion ensures financial transparency and accountability, critical aspects of effective organisational governance.
7. Minimum team size of 4 staff: Participating organisations must have a minimum of 4 staff to ensure adequate capacity for project implementation and collaboration.
8. Adherence to governance standards: Organisations should adhere to recognized governance standards and practices, ensuring effective decision-making processes, accountability mechanisms, and transparency in their operations. This criterion underscores the importance of strong organisational governance for the successful implementation of projects and programs.

 Timeframe

14 months starting March 2024.