BEIRUT, July 25, 2024 – The Ministry of Social Affairs, the René Moawad Foundation, and the World Bank launched today the Productive Economic Inclusion in Lebanon (PEIL) program. This pilot initiative aims to improve the livelihoods of 1,500 low-income Lebanese households who are current beneficiaries of the Emergency Social Safety Net Program (ESSNP). Funded by a $2.7 million grant from the Japan Social Development Fund, the PEIL program complements the ESSNP by providing services aimed at enhancing household income, welfare, and resilience.
In line with the recently launched National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS), the Government of Lebanon is adopting a comprehensive approach to social protection. Economic inclusion programs have demonstrated their ability to strengthen sustainable pathways out of poverty. Productive Economic Inclusion is one of the core pillars of the NSPS and will complement ongoing government efforts across other pillars of the strategy. This PEIL pilot serves as an entry point for broader engagement on economic empowerment for social assistance beneficiaries to help them transition from government cash transfers to sustainable livelihoods.
The PEIL program will leverage international best practices while adapting interventions to local contexts and needs. The pilot will support livelihood opportunities for one working-age member from each of 1,500 current ESSNP beneficiary households. Initially, a local market assessment and detailed employment and skills profile of selected beneficiaries will be conducted. Following these assessments, a tailored package of support services will be provided to each beneficiary. This package includes asset transfers (such as small agriculture equipment, cooking appliances, sewing/embroidery machines), training and business development support, coaching and mentoring, financial literacy training, and nudges to improve saving behaviors and attitudes.
The PEIL pilot will be implemented over approximately 12-18 months. Upon completion, results will be evaluated to inform potential scale-up and replication.
Selected through a competitive process, the René Moawad Foundation will implement the pilot based on its extensive experience in productive economic inclusion initiatives throughout Lebanon. The implementation will be guided by the Ministry of Social Affairs and coordinated through local Social Development Centers.
About the Japan Social Development Fund:
The Japan Social Development Fund was established in 2000 by the Government of Japan and the World Bank as a multi-sector grant program aimed at reducing poverty to improve lives for the poorest and most vulnerable people.