EBDAع Project
In collaboration with GIZ, LLWB in 2024 provided
comprehensive support to 25 women-led MSMEs in the agri-food sectors in the areas of South Baalbek and Hasbaya, Lebanon.
The overarching goal of the initiative is to promote energy efficiency and women’s economic
empowerment.
This is achieved through technical assistance, in-kind support for energy technologies, energy auditing, capacity building, energy monitoring, access to internal and external markets, and sharing
awareness and experience.
Coaching: Coaching sessions were also
conducted to address specific energy-related
challenges, tailoring sustainable technologies, and best business management practices, including business plans and marketing strategies.
Needs Assessment: it analyzed the challenges faced by
the selected women-led MSMEs in Southern Baalbek and
Hasbaya, identifying their gaps, needs, challenges, and opportunities related to business development and their levels of knowledge and practices in energy efficiency.
Development of trainings content: Consultants developed
trainings content for women-led MSMEs in the agri-food
sector.
Training: 100 training days were conducted and delivered
with the 25 MSME covering business development and energy efficiency.
Impact of War: As part of ongoing efforts to
support the MSMEs participating with LLWB and that are situated in critical zones, LLWB conducted a comprehensive additional assessment to evaluate their needs considering the war that led to destruction of many regions from the South and Bekaa. This activity involved engaging with participants to understand how the conflict has impacted their businesses and altered their immediate requirements. Through calls, we gathered critical information about their safety concerns, access to necessities, mental health
challenges, and any additional support they may need.
KAS – Empowering Women EntrepreneursEBDAع Project
In partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, LLWB successfully implemented a project on supporting women-owned MSMEs in Lebanon, focusing on two components: advocating for
policy reforms in labor and workplaces and assessing the needs of women-led businesses in 3 regions of Lebanon followed by a capacity
building program to enhance their business plans and capacities.
Component 1: Advocacy for Policy Reforms
The first component involved organizing 2 roundtables discussions to advocate for policy reforms to create a more supportive environment for women in the socio-economic sector. The roundtables brought together
private sector, public sector representatives’ gender focal point and academia and CSOs.
Publications: Enhancing Women’s role in the workforce
LLWB developed and published One research and 2 policy briefs with clear recommendations
through its collaboration with KAS.
The publications are related to inclusive workplace and combating sexual harassment during time of crises, as well as research on the needs of
Women-Led businesses after the 2024 war on
Lebanon.
The study covered the Priorities of Women Entrepreneurs Amidst Lebanon’s Post-War Recovery. It is based on a first needs assessment targeting over 123 women business leaders from across Lebanon to understand their wartime challenges and recovery needs, followed by 4 focus groups discussions, 2 surveys with one that gathered the input of 163 women-led business across sectors and regions. Findings revealed key gaps in funding, digital marketing, leadership, and business planning, prompting LLWB to launch targeted online workshops and initiate tailored capacity-building programs in South, Beqaa, and Mount Lebanon.
LLWB partnered with the National Council for Scientific Research CNRS, with the support of KAS, and developed in a participatory approach a gender audit using the ILO methodology that was discussed later with the CNRS representatives and focal points and with its former General Secretary
Dr Tamara El Zein, who has been appointed as the Minister of Environment in 2025.
Roundtable: Inclusive Workplaces and Policies:
Shaping the Future of Lebanese Labor Law
The first roundtable addressed the labor law, mainly how to shape inclusive Workplaces and Policies. It brought together representatives from various sectors.
The multisectoral dialogue led by LLWB proposed policy amendments that are inclusive and gender
aware while gathering gather input from multiple stakeholders on improving workplace conditions and labor laws, ensuring effective economic inclusion for all during times of uncertainty.
Roundtable: Combating Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
The second roundtable aimed at increasing awareness and advocacy to combat sexual harassment in the workplace. It addressed existing policy loopholes, particularly in times of war and crisis, and promoted a workplace free of violence, and advocated for the ratification of Convention190 of the ILO.
Component 2: Needs Assessment and capacity building for women led MSMEs.
The second component of the project of LLWB with KAS, aimed to capacitate women-led businesses based on the needs assessment.
30 women-led businesses in three regions of Lebanon: the Beqaa region, Mount Lebanon, and South Lebanon, benefitted from the tailored trainings and capacity-building sessions delivered to SMEs and MSMEs in the three regions.
The sessions covered the following topics:
Business development
1. Marketing Strategies
2.Financial Management and Budgeting
IMQAN: Increasing MSMES Qualifications, Awareness & Network
The IMQAN project of LLWB has reached several key milestones in 2024.
Mentoring sessions: LLWB successfully held 200 mentoring sessions
with 40 MSMEs. These sessions covered essential topics such as B2B
export structures, European sales representation, licensing, and pricing.
With the expertise of four dedicated mentors, these interactions have
offered guidance, significantly strengthening the business acumen and
operational capabilities of the participating MSMEs.
In Kind Support: In 2024, LLWB was able to distribute in-kind support
to the 40 MSMEs, including equipment such as machines, internet cards
for social media, and laptops to support their businesses. LLWB also
monitored the utilization of this in-kind support to ensure it aligned with
their business needs.
Technical workshops: LLWB also held technical finance workshops and
digital marketing workshops.
ASFARI: Digital Transformation
The ASFARI Foundation and the Digital Transformation of the Lebanese League for Women in Business.
LLWB in partnership with the ASFARI Foundation,
started developing its digital capacity by Automating and Documenting major internal operations and data collection. The LLWB team has completed in-depth
training on software supporting project management,
enhancing internal tech skills to boost efficiency and effectiveness in program delivery.
ASFARI: Strengthening Of Financial Management – A Step Forward
LLWB, in partnership with the ASFARI Foundation, continued its
digitalisation by enhancing the work of LLWB’s financial
department. An improved e-financial system was acquired in 2024 to facilitate LLWB’s operations, ensuring accurate accounting, comprehensive financial reporting, and thorough
audits, all at a reduced cost. LLWB also hired a new chief internal auditor, and a finance officer, ensuring that LLWB
finances are updated and accurate.
WOMENTUM – Regional Economic Empowerment Focus Groups
LLWB Led a regional project in partnership with WEPO – Iraq and Concealed Narratives – Morrocco under the WOMENTUM – LEED Initiative that aimed to empower women entrepreneurs in Lebanon, Iraq, and Morocco by
understanding their challenges, developing policy recommendations, and raising awareness among stakeholders. LLWB, the leading partner, has selected 15 women led business from Lebanon to participate in
the project focusing on enhancing their access to funding, training, mentorship, and networks. The project identified common regional challenges such as financial constraints, regulatory roadblocks, and work-life
balance issues. 3 webinars were led tackling:
- Conflict management
- Fundraising
- Strategies for enhancing market presence and reach.
LLWB participated in the regional virtual hub organized by
WOMENTUM with various partners from Morocco, Iraq, Egypt
and Lebanon. LLWB led on the 16 days of activism hub for the
campaign under the WOMENTUM Initiative and was selected as
it developed an innovative idea, a communication campaign:
inclusive of lay out designing, ideation, call to action messages.
Through this campaign LLWB and its partners collaborated on
launching the breaking glass ceiling campaign
SAWI – Support and Accelerate Women Inclusion
LLWB in partnership with AUB, MEPI and TELFER led the SAWI project with three main components:
the data collection for the lived experiences index, the follow up on the RRP implementation (Recruitment, Retention and Promotion), the development of a showcase study.
Led a conference on embracing diversity in inclusice human resources,management strategies with the participation of 75 stakeholders.
In the framework of the project LLWB has successfully
completed research training and assessments, on Inclusive Investment Strategies to Advance Gender Equality and Promote Informed Decision-Making, it also conducted 51 interviews and 6 Focus Groups discussions related to the female citizens contributions to and their experiences of the formal economies of the MENA: Recruitment, Retention and Promotion.
LLWB gathered insights into the intersection of gender equality, ESG principles and climate change within organizational strategies, and various sectors mainly STEM, educational, financial services and Health Care were explored. It is worth noting that 3 businesses (Pharmamed, Wakkilni and
AMC) supported their implementation of the RP
BINA’: Advocacy for the Women on Board law drafted by LLWB
The Women on Board Law was launched in 2016 by the LLWB, advocating for a 30% representation of women on the boards of companies and organizations. Through this initiative, LLWB has been actively working toward this goal in partnership with private sector companies, public institutions, academic entities, and international organizations, engaging on multiple fronts to promote gender diversity in leadership.
LLWB aimed to advocate for the Women on Board Law through a project implemented under the BINA’ sub-grants, funded by the European Union (EU) and managed by Transparency International Secretariat and Transparency International Lebanon (TILB). The project, which began in September 2023 for a duration of one year, included several activities:
Conducting awareness sessions with 100 civil society organizations (CSOs)
across Lebanon to highlight the importance of gender diversity and
representativeness within organizations
Organizing workshops on the Women on Boards draft law prepared by LLWB
with CSOs Securing endorsements for the law from organizations cooperating under the 3RF (Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework), to strengthen advocacy efforts through a broader, committed network.
Holding Consultations: LLWB also conducted two roundtable discussions: the first with LLWB’s Board, the Women on Boards Committees, and founders and advisors of LLWB; and the second with key stakeholders including NGOs, representatives from public sector, lawyers, and judges to further discuss the law and gather diverse perspectives on how to enhance it and consolidate it.
Communicating on the draft law: Additionally, LLWB produced two podcasts to highlight the importance and necessity of having women on boards in Lebanon and to advocate for the law drafted by LLWB.
Extending the network: In 2024 a commitment letter was drafted and 87 CSOs representatives have signed aiming to support the Women on boards Journey with its main objectives.
Celebrating the success of participatory work: The project concluded with a final conference celebrating its achievements. The event was marked by the presence of Minister Hanine El Sayed, Minister of Social Affairs, who was keynote speaker and committed to support the journey related to women on boards.
Women On Board of Organizations, Syndicates, and Universities.
In 2024, LLWB has implemented the phase 1 and 2 of a successful
collaboration with the UK Embassy in Lebanon.
Phase 1 focusing on 4 entities: Universities,Syndicates and
Organizations
During Phase one, LLWB initiated the challenge of addressing the
underrepresentation of women in decision-making positions within four
entities: Balamand University, the Syndicate of Dentists North, MUBS
University, and Damma Hug Organization. The institutional needs assessments
were comprehensive and highly informative. LLWB then developed new
content based on the assessment findings and organized extensive training
sessions tailored to the needs of 160 women from these 4 entities, covering
diverse topics such as diversity, equity, and inclusion; leadership and
management; women’s legal rights; physical well-being; and women on board.
LLWB also identified women with leadership skills and corporate experience
from within its networks to mentor applicants in the program, conducting 100
mentoring sessions with 20 women mentored, and 80% of women reported
an increased understanding of the steps and opportunities for women to be
elevated onto boards. Fifteen women were selected to benefit from the
Certified Corporate Director Program, focusing on governance with modules
including accelerating gender diversity on boards and in business leadership,
gender dynamics, strategies for igniting change, and closing the deal.
Phase 2- Expanding to two Universities
The project started in 2023 continued in 2024, LLWB, in collaboration with
the UK Embassy in Lebanon, partnered with 2 additional universities : the
Lebanese American University (LAU) and Arab Open University (AOU) to
conduct a gender assessment, develop gender action plans and deliver a
series of training sessions under the Scale Up program. The initiative aimed to promote gender inclusion, strengthen women’s leadership, and introduce key legal frameworks and international conventions supporting women’s economic empowerment.
The program engaged over 60 women, including professors and staff from
both universities. Despite national challenges, mainly war and conflict
happening during the project phase 2 implementation, the sessions were
interactive and impactful. A tailored mentorship component supported
participants through 90 focused sessions, enhancing their leadership skills
and preparing them for the ESA 2 certifications.
Institutionalizing a certified Gender unit at LLWB
LLWB team participated in the Participatory Gender Audit (PGA) course at
the International Trade Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO) in Turin. This engagement was also part of the “Women on Boards of Organizations, Syndicates, and Universities” project, supported by the
British Embassy in Lebanon and supported by partial fellowships by ITC ILO
Turin.
LLWB 4 team members deepened their understanding of the PGA
methodology, which supports organizations in identifying gaps, refining
gender strategies, and creating more inclusive work environments, and
started building the gender unit of LLWB supported by experts and board
members.
In the Framework of Women on Board Project funded by the
British Embassy in Beirut, LLWB Launched SAWTIK Podcast
which is dedicated to addressing the challenges surrounding
women’s participation in decision making positions and
enhancing female representation on the Boards of syndicates,
universities, and organizations.
LLWB recorded a series of 16 episodes featuring women who
took committed to the Journey.
Additionally, four dialogue circles in the regions raised
awareness among stakeholder entities of the needs and
challenges of women in rising to leadership positions and
achieving representation on boards. LLWB developed action
plans for the four entities. It has also started gathering
information on women in publicly listed companies and their
boards.
Sawtek Podcast
In the Framework of Women on Board Project funded by the
British Embassy in Beirut, LLWB Launched SAWTIK Podcast
which is dedicated to addressing the challenges surrounding
women’s participation in decision making positions and
enhancing female representation on the Boards of syndicates,
universities, and organizations.
LLWB recorded a series of 16 episodes featuring women who
took committed to the Journey.
