Reform Efforts Tracker

Lebanon’s Path to Recovery: Tracking Reform Initiatives and Progress

Accelerating Urgent Reforms

Lebanon is at a pivotal moment where meaningful reform can no longer wait. REHUB highlights the status of key reform efforts and sheds light on what still needs to be done. Using open and official sources, the platform amplifies the voices of civil society, public institutions and other stakeholders to track progress and push for action. By making reform efforts visible and accessible, REHUB helps turn commitments into measurable change.

| Mapping Reform in Lebanon

Lebanon Reform Implementation Matrix (May 2025)Below is a comprehensive matrix of key reform commitments across sectors in Lebanon, with implementation indicators, responsible stakeholders, legal instruments, timelines/benchmarks, and source references from official documents. Methodology for Reform Tracker Development Each reform tracker was developed through a rigorous desk-based methodology combining official policy review, results-based monitoring principles, and source triangulation. We systematically analyzed primary legal texts, government decisions, donor progress reports, and verified media releases from 2022–2025. Reform actions were mapped against responsible institutions, legal instruments, and time-bound milestones, ensuring accountability and traceability. Status updates and bottlenecks were drawn from sector-specific strategies (e.g. NSPS, Law 244/2021), ministerial statements, and third-party evaluations (e.g. World Bank, UNDP, IMF). No extrapolation or assumptions were made, only verifiable actions and publicly documented steps were included. All trackers follow a unified matrix structure to ensure comparability, accuracy, and usability across sectors. As information was often fragmented across platforms, multiple sources...

| Governmental Reform Efforts and 3RF

Discover the progress of government-led reform strategies, including the 3RF efforts. Track and engage in Lebanon’s national reform process

Rubble Removal and Reconstruction Reform Tracker

Rubble Removal and Reconstruction Reform Tracker[1]Reform Area: Rubble Removal and Reconstruction Last Updated: May 2025Citizen Impact Summary Dimension Snapshot Source Who Is Affected? Over 1.3 million displaced; 42,000+ units destroyed (incl. 35,000 in South/Nabatieh, 1,400 in Bekaa); severe damage to public buildings. CDW Policy Brief (AUB Nature Center, Nov. 2024); UN Debris Taskforce Statement (May 2025); Council of the South, "An-Nahar", 20 April 2025 Financial Burden? Total damage estimated at $12–14 billion; current committed funds ($325M WB) cover

Social Protection Reform Tracker

Social Protection Reform Tracker[1]Reform Area: Universal, rights‑based & shock‑responsive Social Protection System Last Updated: May 2025Citizen Impact Summary Dimension Snapshot Source Who Is Affected? All Lebanese citizens across the lifecycle; highest gains for ≈ 2 million people now under—or near—the monetary poverty line, esp. children, older persons, persons with disabilities (PwDs), informal‑economy workers, and female‑headed households. National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) 2023 executive summary; World Bank Poverty and Equity Assessment 2024 Financial Burden? Extreme poor households spend ~80% on food, rent, health; pensions eroded by currency collapse; high out-of-pocket health costs; informal workers lack social protection. ESSN Project Reports; UN Lebanon Position Paper; IMF Conditionality Evidence Summary Public Services? Health, education, and social services severely degraded; NSSF coverage reaches ~50% of formal workers; DAEM registry improves targeting but major gaps remain. National Social Protection Strategy; ESSN–AMAN Updates; UN System Reports Mental‑Health Toll? High stress among families, especially women and older persons; exclusion worsens social isolation; caregivers under strain; children’s well-being under threat. National Strategy for Older Persons 2020–2030; Overview & Objectives Goal Transition from fragmented, donor-driven safety nets to a universal, rights-based, shock-responsive, and fiscally sustainable social protection system that guarantees dignity, inclusion, and resilience across the life cycle. Strategic Importance Central to rebuilding the social contract, reducing multidimensional poverty and inequality, supporting informal workers, and stabilizing vulnerable communities in the context of protracted crises. Key Reform Priorities (2024‑26) 1- Enact the Social Protection Framework Law (2024/302) and implement Pension Reform Law (319/2023) through decrees, institutional restructuring, and fiscal integration. 2- Introduce and scale up universal non-contributory social pensions for persons aged 65+ and disability allowances in line with CRPD. 3- Integrate NPTP, ESSN, and other transfers under a unified National Safety Net using the DAEM-SPIS platform and lifecycle-based targeting. 4- Reform NSSF pension and health schemes to expand voluntary enrollment, especially for informal workers, and ensure sustainability. 5- Approve a domestic financing roadmap (0.7% of GDP) for long-term sustainability, reducing dependency on external grants and humanitarian pipelines. 6- Enhance governance through SPCU coordination, DAEM 2.0 rollout, and enforcement of data governance and third-party monitoring protocols. Reform Actions & StatusSpecific Reform Actions & Accountability Reform Action Required Current Status (May 2025) Lead Authority Implementing Body Oversight / Supporting Actors Primary Source 1. Finalize scope of Unified Social Registry Terms of Reference approved; State Council resolved data privacy concerns; decree pending Council of Ministers vote PCM MOSA + PCM Technical Unit EU Delegation, UNICEF, ILO National Social Protection Policy Paper ARI, Oct 2024 2. Draft NSPS Action Plan Action plan not yet finalized; no formal circulation or costing validation publicly confirmed Inter-ministerial SP Committee MOSA World Bank, UNDP “Commitment to Develop a Resilient Social Protection System” 2025 3. Activate Pension Law 319/2023 Law approved; executive decrees under preparation; fiscal impact study pending cabinet review Council of Ministers Ministry of Labour / NSSF ILO, IMF, Parliament National Social Protection Policy Paper ARI, Oct 2024 4. Secure Domestic Financing Plan Ministry of Finance–PCM working group completed 0.7% GDP financing proposal; awaiting Cabinet endorsement Council of Ministers Ministry of Finance World Bank, IMF National Social Protection Policy Paper ARI, Oct 2024 5. Initiate scale-up of Disability Allowance Pilot launched in 2023; scale-up roadmap under technical finalization MoSA MoSA + SPCU UNICEF, ILO “Commitment to Develop a Resilient Social Protection System” 2025 6. Transition from End-of-Service Indemnity to Contributory Pension Scheme (Law 319/2023) Law adopted; executive decrees pending; actuarial and fiscal transition scenarios under review Parliament / Council of Ministers Ministry of Labour + NSSF ILO, IMF, WB An-Nahar, May 2025 7. Establish Unified Social Health Protection Scheme Fragmented schemes mapped; roadmap to consolidate under a unified scheme under technical design MoPH + Council of Ministers NSSF + CSC + Army Health WHO, ILO, UNICEF An-Nahar, May 2025 8. Modernize and Digitize Social Development Centers (SDCs) ISOSEP project rehabilitated 30+ centers; expansion and digital services integration ongoing MoSA MoSA + AICS + EU EU, Italian Cooperation An-Nahar, May 2025 9. Strengthen coordination via reactivation of Social Affairs Committee Committee inactive; reform proposal under review within MoSA PCM MoSA + MoPH + MoL + MEHE UNDP, ESCWA, EU Delegation An-Nahar, May 2025 Reform Roadmap Timeline & Critical PathRecent Milestone Date Description Critical Path Status Source 20 Apr 2022 Government adopts National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) with five foundational pillars Completed on‑time National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) 2023 executive summary 15 December 2023 Parliament passes Pension Law as part of elderly care reform Completed UN, 2023 05 Jan 2025 DAEM Social Registry v2 launches with expanded modules and data linkages Completed National Social Protection Policy Paper ARI, Oct 2024 12 May 2025 Pension Law 319/2023 fiscal impact study submitted to CoM Awaiting cabinet scheduling National Social Protection Policy Paper ARI, Oct 2024 Next Steps – Transparency and Accountability Calendar (Expected Q2–Q3 2025) Action Responsible Entity Target Date Publish NSPS Annual Implementation Report 2024 SPCU N/A Develop NSPS into an integrated Social Development Plan with decentralization lens MoSA + Council of Ministers N/A Restructure and activate the Inter-ministerial Social Affairs Committee CoM, MoSA, MoPH, MoL, MEHE Design national job activation and decent work programs MoL + CDR + Donor Partners Enact Health Coverage Law Parliament Committee + Parliament General Assembly Reform institutional governance of social protection institutions CoM + Parliament + NSSF Board Ensure equitable integration of fragmented health coverage systems MoPH + NSSF + CSC + Army Health Directorate Approve domestic financing plan for NSPS Council of Ministers + Ministry of Finance N/A Launch public consultation on Disability Allowance scale-up MoSA + Federation of OPDs N/A Finalize governance protocol for Social Protection Information System (SPIS) PCM + MoSA N/A Implementation Bottlenecks & Required Actions Bottleneck Official Explanation Required Action Source Fiscal space constraints High debt burden; limited domestic revenue Adopt domestic reallocation plan (0.7% GDP) and explore earmarked funding under NSPS financing plan National Social Protection Policy Paper ARI, Oct 2024 Political turnover risk Cabinet reshuffles delaying law approvals Build inter-party consensus and fast-track key parliamentary votes National Social Protection Policy Paper ARI, Oct 2024 Data-sharing and privacy gaps Ministries hesitant to share sensitive databases Finalize and issue data governance protocols under Unified Social Registry decree National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) 2023 executive summary Fragmented governance Multiplicity of actors with weak inter-agency links Consolidate coordination under SPCU; clarify mandates through legal frameworks “Commitment to Develop a Resilient Social Protection System” 2025 Humanitarian-to-national transition gaps Parallel humanitarian pipelines bypass national systems Integrate humanitarian caseloads via DAEM-SPIS interoperability, with donor alignment enforced National Social Protection Policy Paper ARI, Oct 2024 Public trust / corruption perception Low confidence in cash transfer transparency Expand third-party monitoring and grievance mechanisms under NSPS framework National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) 2023 executive summary; CAMEALEON & ARI, Oct 2024 Stakeholders & Roles Entity Core Function Contact Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) Sector lead; oversees NSPS, ESSN, NDA; hosts and chairs the SPCU info@socialaffairs.gov.lb Ministry of Finance (MoF) Leads NSPS financing and fiscal risk assessments; co-chairs financing working group with PCM infocenter@finance.gov.lb National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Administers contributory pensions and health coverage; implementing Pension Reform Law 319/2023 info@cnss.gov.lb Central Inspection Office / IMPACT Manages DAEM Social Registry platform, MIS integration, data quality assurance, and inter-agency access protocols info@cib.gov.lb SPCU (Social Protection Coordination Unit, within MoSA) Coordinates NSPS implementation, monitors results, prepares reports, and liaises with donors and technical partners Committee on Public Health, Labor, and Social Affairs Oversees legislative review of social protection laws, including the Framework Law and Pension Law amendments ILO & UNICEF Provide technical support for pension design, disability allowance, child grant, data protection, and costing beirut@unicef.org; beirut@ilo.org EU Delegation to Lebanon Provides financial and technical support for registry development, legal reform, and governance mechanisms World Bank ESSN PMU Manages financing, fiduciary controls, and TA for ESSN program; coordinates with DAEM and SPCU Legal & Policy Framework Instrument Status Key Provisions Implementation Note National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS, Cabinet Decision 69/2022) In force (since 2023) Establishes a national framework with 5 pillars, including lifecycle protection, social insurance, social assistance, employment links, and governance; sets roadmap 2023–2030; creates SPCU Guides actions across all line ministries; implementation coordinated by SPCU under PCM Universal Social Pension (proposed under NSPS) Policy proposal (under NSPS) Plans to introduce a universal, non-contributory social pension for persons aged 65+ to ensure minimum income security; benefit level to be indexed; design aligned with lifecycle protection pillar Requires legal drafting, Cabinet and parliamentary approval, and secured fiscal space; no draft decree yet prepared Disability Allowance Decree Pilot operational since 2023; scaling planned 2025 Provides flat cash transfer plus disability service card; aligned with CRPD obligations and designed for phased scale-up Scaling plan under technical preparation with UNICEF and ILO support Child Grant Regulation Pilot operational (2024) Designed to be poverty-neutral and integrated under NSPS targeting framework Evaluation scheduled December 2025 to assess performance and inform broader rollout NSSF Law Amendments (2024) Enacted Expands NSSF to allow voluntary enrollment for informal sector workers; strengthens contributory social insurance coverage Actuarial caps established; full implementation pending issuance of detailed board decrees and administrative measures Pension Law 319/2023 Adopted (Dec 2023); awaiting decrees Replaces end-of-service indemnity with contributory retirement scheme; mandatory for new workers &

Public Procurement Reform Tracker

Public Procurement Reform Tracker[1]Reform Area: Public Procurement Last Updated: May 2025Citizen Impact Summary Dimension Snapshot Source Who Is Affected? All ministries, municipalities, public institutions, SOEs, citizens, and private suppliers dependent on fair, efficient public spending and infrastructure recovery. Status of Implementation of Lebanon’s Public Procurement Law 244-2021 and Assessment of Skills’ Gaps and Training Needs : Summary Report Financial Burden? 78% funding gap for national strategy; implementation suffers from delayed decrees, weak staffing, and currency devaluation impacting bid pricing and procurement planning. Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023 Public Services? Municipal and sectoral procurements stalled or conducted outside legal frameworks due to lack of tools, standard documents, and functioning e-platform. Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023 Mental‑Health Toll? Chronic uncertainty in public tenders, lack of grievance redress, and elite interference contribute to reform fatigue and institutional demoralization. World Bank Lebanon - Systematic country diagnostic, Summer 2024; Technical Note on the Amendments brought to Law 244/2021; Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023 Overview & Objectives Goal Establish a transparent, competitive, and accountable procurement system aligned with international standards. Strategic Importance Public procurement is a foundational anti-corruption and fiscal reform, highlighted in CEDRE, IMF SLA (2022), and the 3RF recovery framework. Key Reform Priorities 1. Finalize secondary legislation (internal, financial, staffing decrees for PPA & CA). 2. Operationalize PPA and establish Complaints Authority. 3. Publish Standard Procurement Documents and guidelines. 4. Launch full national e-procurement system. 5. Institutionalize certified procurement cadres across public entities. Reform Actions & StatusSpecific Reform Actions & Accountability Reform Action Required Current Status Lead Authority Implementing Body Oversight / Supporting Actors Primary Source Establish Public Procurement Authority (PPA) President appointed; 4 board members still pending. PPA operating with only 8 staff (5 auditors) despite legal mandate of 83. Internal and financial regulations remained unapproved for 2.5 years, limiting institutional activation. Council of Ministers Ministry of Finance / IoF Parliament, Donor Coordination Group Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023; Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025; Nidaa Al Watan, 26 Feb 2025 Create Complaints Authority (CA) Not yet established. Legal and institutional framework pending; board formation stalled. Lack of CA undermines grievance mechanisms and erodes public trust. Council of Ministers To be determined PPA, Ministry of Finance Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023; Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025 Launch e-Procurement Platform Technical architecture in place, but platform is not yet functional. No centralized vendor registration or e-tendering interface accessible to suppliers. PPA PPA WB, IoF, EU/OECD SIGMA Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023; Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025; Nidaa Al Watan, 26 Feb 2025 Adopt Decrees on PPA Internal & Financial Regulations Adopted in Dec 2024 after 2.5 years of delay. Decrees had been submitted by PPA in July 2022 and remained pending in CoM. Council of Ministers PPA Inter-ministerial Committee Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023; Nidaa Al Watan, 26 Feb 2025 Appoint trained procurement officers in all entities Institutional framework developed but skills and staffing gaps persist across ministries, municipalities, and SOEs. Law-mandated procurement cadre remains incomplete. Ministry of Finance / PPA Procuring Entities IoF, UNDP, WB Status of Implementation of Lebanon’s Public Procurement Law 244-2021 and Assessment of Skills’ Gaps and Training Needs : Summary Report Set up Technical Support Unit at PPA and CA Not yet operational. No dedicated staff assigned to technical support or capacity-building. Requires budget line and formal hiring. Ministry of Finance PPA / CA Donors Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023; Nidaa Al Watan, 26 Feb 2025 Reform Roadmap Timeline & Critical PathRecent Milestone Recent Milestone Date What Happened Status on Critical Path Source Decrees for PPA and CA finalized Dec 2024 CoM approved PPA internal and financial regulation decrees after 2.5 years of delay since July 2022 Achieved Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023; Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025 Law 244/2021 enters into force July 2022 Public Procurement Law became legally binding Achieved Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023 Law 309/2023 (Amendments to Public Procurement Law) April 2023 Controversial amendments affecting procurement committees and eligibility; referred for constitutional review Achieved Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023 Next Steps – Transparency and Accountability Calendar (Expected Q2–Q3 2025) Action Responsible Entity Target Date Source Appoint 4 remaining PPA Board Members Council of Ministers - Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023; Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025 Recruit full PPA staffing (83 positions) to replace stopgap staffing of 8 employees (incl. 5 auditors) Civil Service Board / Council of Ministers - Nidaa Al Watan, 26 Feb 2025 Establish Complaints Authority (CA) CSB / CoM - Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023 Finalize national e-procurement platform OMSAR / MoF / PPA - Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023; Nidaa Al Watan, 26 Feb 2025 Launch procurement profession competency IoF / CSB / PMO - Status of Implementation of Lebanon’s Public Procurement Law 244-2021 and Assessment of Skills’ Gaps and Training Needs : Summary Report; Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025 Clarify and codify emergency procurement rules to prevent abuse of Article 46 exceptions and ensure ex post accountability. This includes formalizing thresholds, publishing post-crisis contracts, and defining “urgent need” criteria in alignment with Memo No. 8/2024. Parliament / MoF / PPA - Nidaa Al Watan, 22 Nov 2024; Memo 8/2024; Hura7.com, 28 Dec 2024 Enforce post-war audit of exceptional procurements conducted under Article 46(2) (emergency clause) to assess legality, necessity, and abuse Public Procurement Authority (PPA) / Court of Accounts / Central Inspection Upon cessation of hostilities Nidaa Al Watan, 22 Nov 2024 Issue remaining implementing decrees of the Public Procurement Law following political consultations between Speaker of Parliament and PPA President Parliament (Speaker’s Office) / Council of Ministers / PPA - LBCI News; March 2025 (Meeting between Speaker Berri and PPA President Jean Alia) Implementation Bottlenecks & Required Actions Bottleneck Official Explanation Required Immediate Action Source Political interference in appointments Delayed formation of collegial PPA and CA weakens reform impact CoM to prioritize appointments via transparent, merit-based process Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023 Budget shortfalls Inadequate allocations in 2023 budget for PPA and CA operations Ensure 2025 budget includes full funding for both bodies Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023 Technical capacity gaps Procurement officers lack adequate training and clarity on roles Launch national training and qualification scheme Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023 Stakeholders & Roles Entity Core Function Primary Contact Point Public Procurement Authority (PPA) Regulatory oversight of public procurement; develops standard templates and guidelines; manages capacity building and monitoring; provides guidance to procuring entities. President of the PPA (currently Judge Jean Alia) Complaints Authority (planned) Independent body for reviewing procurement complaints and appeals; ensures legal redress and fairness; not yet operational. To be appointed by Council of Ministers (under Article 78 of Law 244) Institute of Finance Basil Fuleihan (IoF) Technical coordination of procurement reform; leads training programs, MAPS assessments, and capacity gap studies; advisor to Ministry of Finance. Director of IoF – Ministry of Finance Council of Ministers (CoM) Political and administrative authority for adopting decrees (e.g., on PPA, CA, financial rules); responsible for key appointments and funding allocations. General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform (OMSAR) Technical lead for e-procurement system development (together with PPA); manages IT infrastructure and inter-operability aspects. Director General of OMSAR Ministry of Finance (MoF) Parent ministry for procurement reform policy; responsible for budgeting PPA and CA; coordinates donor support and public financial management (PFM) integration. Director General of Finance Civil Service Board (CSB) Oversees recruitment of procurement officers and validation of organizational structures; participates in approving procurement cadre framework. President of the Civil Service Board Donor Coordination Platform (EU, WB, UNDP, AFD, etc.) Provides financial and technical assistance; monitors implementation progress and alignment with international standards. Chaired by EU Delegation to Lebanon (rotating lead among partners) Procuring Entities (Ministries, Municipalities, SOEs) Responsible for planning, executing, and reporting on procurement activities in compliance with Law 244/2021. Procurement Focal Points / Directorate of Administrative Affairs Court of Accounts / Central Inspection Audits public spending including procurement; monitors compliance and flags violations. President of Court of Accounts / Head of Central Inspection Legal & Policy Framework Instrument Status Key Provisions Implementation Note Law 244/2021 (Public Procurement Law) In force since July 2022 Applies to all public entities; e-platform; PPA & CA establishment Core reform pillar aligned with UNCITRAL and OECD guidelines Decree on PPA internal regulation Adopted (Dec 2024) Governance, structure, HR and internal processes Approved by Council of Ministers Decree on PPA financial regulation Adopted (Dec 2024) Budget and financial procedures Still pending full implementation with MoF coordination Amendments (Law 309/2023) Controversial Changes to bidder eligibility and committee appointment standards Constitutional appeal submitted; viewed as undermining original reform Official Sources and Reference Materials Instrument Source Ministerial Statement (25 Feb 2025) Ministerial Statement, 25 Feb 2025 Public Procurement Reform Strategy 2022–2024 Public Procurement Reform Strategy 2022–2024 Paving the way for Sustainable Public Procurement in Lebanon Paving the way for Sustainable Public Procurement in Lebanon Technical Note on Amendments to Law 244/2021 Technical Note on the Amendments brought to Law 244/2021 Progress Report – Jan 2024 Public Procurement Reform In Lebanon Progress Note – For The Period May – December 2023 World Bank Summary Report on PPL Implementation – Dec 2024 Status of Implementation of Lebanon’s Public Procurement Law 244-2021 and Assessment of Skills’ Gaps and Training Needs : Summary Report List of Acronyms – Public Procurement Reform Tracker Acronym Full Name PPA Public Procurement Authority CA Complaints Authority MoF Ministry of Finance IoF Institute of Finance Basil Fuleihan CoM Council of Ministers OMSAR Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform CSB Civil Service Board SOEs State-Owned Enterprises WB World Bank EU European Union OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development SIGMA Support for Improvement in Governance and Management (joint EU–OECD initiative) UNDP United Nations Development Programme AFD Agence Française de Développement PMO Prime Minister’s Office MAPS Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems UNCITRAL United Nations Commission on International Trade Law [1] All reform data presented here is based on official Lebanese government sources, such as laws, decrees, strategies, and verified public data. Where possible, each update is linked to a document, gazette entry, or institutional publication.

Be Engaged, Join the Movement

Become a part of Lebanon’s reform efforts and stay informed about the latest developments. Together, we can build a transparent and accountable future for Lebanon. Active participation from civil society, the private sector, and citizens is vital for successful reform. By staying updated and engaged on the ongoing national and local reforms - including 3RF, you help ensure continues progress. Engage with reform efforts across various sectors to support Lebanon’s recovery and drive meaningful change.

Stay Informed!

| Civil Society Reform Advocacies

Explore the key initiatives undertaken by civil society organizations to advocate for transparency, ensure public accountability, and strengthen civic engagement across Lebanon.

Sustainable Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) Management

SummaryThe degradation of Lebanon’s natural environment over the past decades is a testament to governance failures in the sector. This degradation not only affects the country’s landscapes but has also had severe economic and public health consequences for its population such as the widespread pollution of rivers like the Litani due to untreated wastewater, the depletion of groundwater reserves in regions like the Bekaa Valley, and the proliferation of unregulated quarries in areas such as Chekka and Chouf, which have caused deforestation, habitat loss, and air pollution.The recent crises Lebanon has grappled with from political conflict and instability to financial collapse have further exacerbated environmental degradation. The weakening of government institutions has led to reduced oversight and enforcement, allowing violations to go unchecked. For instance, the energy crisis has driven reliance on private generator operators, many of whom operate illegally and dangerously, contributing to air pollution and public safety risks. These overlapping crises have also weakened critical infrastructure, including waste management and water treatment systems. On top of this, the escalating impacts of climate change rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather events continue to place immense pressure on already fragile ecosystems.Of these series of shocks, the 2024 war also had a heavy toll on Lebanon’s environment, one that continues to threaten citizens’ well-being well beyond the ceasefire. Destruction of infrastructure, pollution of natural resources, deforestation, and possible use of chemical agents have created long-term environmental hazards. Recovery from the 2024 war cannot be achieved without restoring the damaged ecosystems and rebuilding critical environmental infrastructure. One of the most pressing and lasting threats is the vast quantity of construction and demolition waste (CDW), mounting to millions of tons now scattered across decentralized locations. Yet within this crisis lies an opportunity: if managed strategically, this rubble can be recycled and reintegrated into Lebanon’s reconstruction efforts, reducing environmental harm and creating economic value. For this opportunity to be realized, coordinated action is needed across government, civil society, and the private sector. Enabling policies, technical capacity, and investment in recycling infrastructure are essential to transition from waste to resource.The AUB Nature Conservation Centre (NCC) is actively addressing this challenge through advocating for the recycling of CDW, engaging key stakeholders, mapping national policies, and benchmarking against international policies and frameworks. NCC is also piloting sustainable recycling methods and pushing for policy frameworks that support environmentally responsible reconstruction. At its core, NCC’s work is rooted in restoring nature while fostering community resilience and driving economic recovery.Effort OverviewQuestionDetailsWhat was the reform challenge?Absence of a national framework for CDW management, widespread illegal dumping, lack of coordination among key stakeholders, weak, fragmented policies and lack of data and accessibility. What was the civic strategy or action taken?Our strategy focuses on engagement, inclusion, and evidence-based action by partnering with expert faculty members at AUB who specialize in CDW management and recycling. Together, we built on existing research, analyzed relevant policies, gathered international benchmarks, and submitted formal policy recommendations. We also published a policy brief, coordinated efforts through policy dialogues, launched an advocacy campaign calling for CDW recycling, and initiated consultations with key stakeholders from civil society, the public and private sectors, and both national and international institutions.What agencies were targeted?The initiative was launched in partnership with the Ministry of Environment. Other targeted agencies included civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations, public sector institutions, private sector entities and lobby groups, academic institutions, and the international community such as INGOs, embassies, and UN agencies.What reform priorities does it relate to?Waste Management Policies; Access to Information & Data; Transparency and Accountability for Environmental Destruction; CDW Management; Circular Economy and Recycling Targets all of which fall under the 3RF pillars. Key Partners & Coalition MembersTypeName(s)Lead CSONature Conservation Centre at the American University of Beirut (AUB- NCC)Supporting CSOsRestart; LHDF; LLWB; Save the children; LRI; REEF; Aman; Green peace; Arcenciel; Al Majmoua; Transparency International Lebanon; Institute of Environment Balamand; Jibal; Council of Environment Kobayat, Biodiversity Conservation Initiative, AUB ESDU, AUB SAIL, Plastc lab; Y4G; Adyan. Progress SnapshotIndicatorValueCommentsCSO Partners20 Stakeholder Meetings Conducted41 Launching Advocacy Campaign9 Article features, 1 TV Appearance, 1 Podcast, 12 Social Media Posts Published Policy Brief 1 Accessible in English and Arabic Pictures AUB Delegation Meeting with Former Minister of Environment Dr. Nasser Yassin. AUB-NCC Meeting with Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati to Propose Sustainable Post-Crisis CDW Management Solutions. Former Minister of Environment Dr. Nasser Yassin mentioned AUB-NCC’s policy brief on national TV, raising awareness about CDW management. A multi-stakeholder coordination meeting at AUB on March 20, 2025, to align on CDW recycling and discuss related opportunities and threats. AUB delegation meeting with the Spanish Embassy, with AUB-NCC as part of the delegation, to discuss CDW management in Lebanon. ResultsAchievementSourcesEnhanced understanding of the CDW management landscape by identifying new opportunities for sustainable practices and system improvements, while supporting reform planning through evidence-based research to assist the government in implementing effective policy changes.Policy Brief: EN - AROngoing research and development will be disseminated once finalizedRaised public and institutional awareness on critical waste management issues through targeted outreach and communication efforts.AUB-NCC Social Media Platforms: Instagram, LinkedIn , XRelevant articles can be found in the Resources and Annex section.Built consensus on CDW management priorities, aligning diverse stakeholders around recycling CDW through actionable solutions and policy directions.CDW Coordination Workshop Report: EN - AR Challenges Faced and Call to ActionChallengeSolution(s)Lack of Data and AccessibilityAdvocate for data sharing and accessibility, and emphasize the importance of systematic data collection by lobbying responsible entities to gather and report data in support of transparency, informed decision-making, and research.Weak, Fragmented PoliciesConduct a policy review and submit recommended legal amendments, alongside the engagement of relevant government stakeholders.Lack of Coordination Among Key StakeholdersEstablish a multi-stakeholder CDW management taskforce, with representatives from: ministries, municipalities, private sector, NGOs, and academia.This body would coordinate actions, share data, and guide implementation of the national strategy.Widespread Illegal DumpingImplement strict enforcement mechanisms and incentives, including strengthening environmental monitoring and penalties for illegal dumping. Absence of a National Framework for CDW ManagementSet clear standards for collection, sorting, recycling, and disposal, including legal mandates for CDW separation at source, national recycling targets, integration into building codes and permits. Calls to ActionEmbed recycling of rubble into reconstruction aid and standardsAdopt long-term reforms to fully integrate CDW Recycling in the construction sectorSupport the government and municipalities in collecting data, enforcing EIAs & prevent ecological disastersRely on evidence & input from all stakeholders (Academia, Private Sector, Specialized NGOs, Local Communities, Municipalities)Disseminate findings around the feasibility of CDW recycling in Lebanon Annexes & ResourcesPolicy Brief: EN - ARCDW Coordination Workshop Report: EN - ARArticles #TypeOutletTitleLink1ArticleNew Lines Magazine Clearing Lebanon’s War RubbleLINK2Articleاللواء بعد المطامر.. «اللواء» تفتح ملف الروادم: حلول «ممكنة» أم أزمة بلا حول ولا قوة؟! LINK3ArticleNNAاختتام مشروع RE-MED لاعادة تدوير مخلفات البناء ياسين: سمح لنا بتنفيذ مشاريع تجريبية مع مختلف الشركاء والنقابات LINK4ArticleLCPSإدارة مخلّفات البناء والهدم في لبنان LINK 5ArticleLebanon Debateصعوبة في إزالة الأنقاض... لبنان يتعامل مع تدمير 3 آلاف مبنى بِبيروتLINK6ArticleAl Joumhouriaلبنان يواجه مهمّة ضخمة للتخلّص من الحطام الناتج من الحربLINK7ArticleNew York TimesLebanon Faces a Colossal Disposal Task: Clearing War DebrisLINK8PodcastThe MergeEpisode 1 | Issam Srour | Recycling War Rubble for a Sustianable FutureLINK9ArticleL’Orient Le JourMillions of tons of rubble: The hidden controversy of conflict zonesLINK10ArticleVertEntre 50 et 100 millions de tonnes de déchets : au Liban, l’impossible défi de la dépollution après la guerre avec IsraëlLINK Contact Point American University of Beirut, Nature Conservation Centre (AUB-NCC)Antoine Kallab, Associate Director, ak231@aub.edu.lb

Raising Awareness on Anti-Corruption and Transparency in Zgharta Municipality and Union of Municipalities of Zgharta

Summary:Himaya Daeem Aataa launched a campaign to combat corruption and promote transparency in local governance by strengthening the capacities of municipalities and empowering youth. The initiative addressed weak accountability and limited civic participation in decision-making. Through targeted training, youth engagement, and collaboration with municipal authorities, the campaign supported the development of local anti-corruption and transparency policies. It focused on enhancing good governance, increasing youth participation, and building sustainable accountability mechanisms at the local level.Reform Challenge:The campaign addressed the persistent lack of transparency and accountability in local governance, particularly within municipal institutions. Municipalities often operated with limited public oversight, weak institutional frameworks for anti-corruption, and minimal youth engagement in decision-making processes. These gaps undermined public trust and enabled misuse of public resources.Civic Strategy and Action Taken:Himaya Daeem Aataa launched a grassroots campaign to raise awareness about anti-corruption and transparency by:Building the capacities of municipalities on transparency standards, budget monitoring, and participatory governance tools.Empowering youth through training and mentorship programs to become active agents in promoting good governance and contributing to local policy development.Facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues between youth, municipal officials, and civil society to co-develop localized anti-corruption and transparency frameworks.Agencies Targeted:Local municipal governments as primary implementers of governance reforms.Youth groups and community-based organizations (CBOs) as watchdogs and advocates.Civil society networks and media outlets to amplify messaging and sustain public pressure for reforms.Reform Priorities Addressed:Strengthening local governance by institutionalizing transparency and anti-corruption practices.Youth civic engagement and inclusion in policy-making processes.Enhancing accountability mechanisms within public institutions.Contributing to broader anti-corruption reforms aligned with national transparency and good governance agendas.

National Inclusive Employment Policy in the Workplace for People with Disabilities in Lebanon

National Inclusive Employment Policy for People with Disabilities Thematic Tags: Disability Rights, Inclusive Employment, Disability Inclusion, Right to Work Initiative Launch Date: July 2024 Status: Ongoing Summary Unemployment rate for People with Disabilities in Lebanon stands at 85%, despite the existence of Law 220/2000 aiming to promote their social protection and economic development. The Lebanese government failed to implement effective disability inclusion policies, despite signing the UNCRPD in June 2007 and ratifying it officially in 2025, therefore, persons with disabilities are left deprived of their basic rights, particularly employment. Therefore, arcenciel drafted an Inclusive Employment Policy for People with Disabilities to reinforce the implementation of the right to work. This activity is implemented under the BINA’ project sub-grants, funded by the European Union and managed by Transparency International (TI) Secretariat and TI-Lebanon The first draft of the employment policy was released in May 2024, and the final draft was released in July 2024. Four roundtable discussions were conducted in August 2024 including different stakeholders from ministries, employers, leaders of inclusion, OPDs, CSOs, 3RF, INGOs, and NGOs with a total of 78 persons. During these roundtable discussions the draft policy was proposed and discussed. A final draft was released in July 2024 taking into consideration all the comments and recommendations suggested during the roundtables. The final draft policy was formally submitted to both ministry of Labor and ministry of social affair on the 19th of February 2025. Effort Overview Question Details What was the reform challenge? Lack of an inclusive employment policy and weak enforcement of law 220/2000 undermine the right to work of persons with disabilities. What was the civic strategy or action taken? Drafting a policy, presenting policy to 53 stakeholders (Employers, Leaders of Inclusion, Ministries, OPDs, INGOs, NGOs and CSOs) during 4 roundtable discussions, revising policy, submitting final policy to Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Social Affairs. What agencies were targeted? Ministry of Lebanon, Ministry of Social Affairs, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Public Administrations, Organizations of Persons with Disability, NGOs and CSOs, Employers, Leaders of Inclusion (Representative for Persons with Disabilities), INGOs and Funding Agencies What reform priorities does it relate to? Right to Work Section 8 in Law 220/2000 articles 68-77, UNCRPD article 27 work and employment Key Partners & Coalition Members Type Name(s) Lead NGO arcenciel Supporting actors LCD, LFD, LUPD, LULB, FDA, LASA, EDAN, YAB, HI, TI, WFP, GIZ, WRF, ILO, PU, ICRC, Step Together, IRADA, Tripulley, Adyan Foundation, Mouvement Social, Shareq, NEO, MOL, MEHE, CRDP, MOSA, R&A Program, Upgrey, Snowball, Social Work Syndicate, L’oreal, Fig Holding, Mindnavy, Bossa Nova Hotel, Ladkani, IABC, LOM, MSD, Association of Lebanese Industrialists, etc.

| Reform Activities Directory

Stay updated with the latest activities and initiatives across Lebanon aimed at promoting sustainable reform, enhancing governance, and fostering civic engagement.