SHABAKE – Capacity-Building Program for Civil Society Organizations

In the context of multidimensional crisis, Lebanese NGOs have become key actors in mitigating the impacts of the crisis. Given their proximity to the most vulnerable populations and their presence in the most affected areas, local NGOs can reach them and target the most important needs.

The activities they put in place contribute to improving access to basic services, at a time where public services are saturated and local authorities overwhelmed. In the aftermath of the Beirut Blast, the Lebanese civil society mobilized very quickly, confirming its vitality and key role in helping the most vulnerable.

However, most Lebanese NGOs face difficulties to access international funding, being de facto dependent on international NGOs. In order to become more independent, Expertise France supports their implementation and financial capacities, and strategy development.

The Shabake program is part of MINKA Middle East initiative launched by AFD in 2017, to support the resilience of host countries in the context of the Syrian crisis. The program finances the projects of partners who are working to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable populations.

Shabake is also part of the “aid localization” agenda, which aims to strengthen the capacities of Lebanese civil society organizations, so that they can intervene locally and effectively in preventing and responding to crises. This program embraces all aspects of capacity-building and revolves around three main axes:



Consolidating the capacities of local NGOs through the development and ensuing implementation of a capacity-building plan;

• Ensuring that each of them implements a project that reduces vulnerability to crises;
• Strengthening the integration of partner NGOs into the aid ecosystem by establishing a network among these NGOs, connecting them with donors, and consolidating existing coordination mechanisms between donors regarding the support of Lebanese civil society.

Following the Beirut Blast, Shabake gave the Lebanese CSOs leverage to support the economic recovery in the most affected neighborhoods.

• Strengthening the capacities of local actors so that they can meet the current needs of vulnerable populations, prevent and manage future crises;
• Reducing the vulnerabilities of the populations affected by crises, including the Beirut Blast, thanks to the implementation of projects by local NGOs;
• Improving coordination between local and international actors on the support of Lebanese civil society;
• Increasing direct international funding to local NGOs.