Lebanon Launches $2.7M PEIL Program to Boost Livelihoods of Low-Income Households

Aligned with Lebanon’s recently launched National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS), the PEIL program is a critical component of the country's comprehensive approach to social protection.

The Ministry of Social Affairs, the René Moawad Foundation, and the World Bank have launched the Productive Economic Inclusion in Lebanon (PEIL) program, a new initiative aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of 1,500 low-income Lebanese households currently benefiting from the Emergency Social Safety Net Program (ESSNP). Funded by a $2.7 million grant from the Japan Social Development Fund, the PEIL program is designed to complement the ESSNP by providing additional services to improve household income, welfare, and resilience.

Aligned with Lebanon's recently launched National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS), the PEIL program is a critical component of the country's comprehensive approach to social protection. Economic inclusion programs like PEIL are known for their effectiveness in creating sustainable pathways out of poverty, making them a core pillar of the NSPS. This pilot initiative represents an initial step towards broader engagement in economic empowerment for social assistance beneficiaries, aiming to help them transition from government cash transfers to self-sustaining livelihoods.

The PEIL program will incorporate international best practices while tailoring its interventions to fit local contexts and needs. The pilot will support one working-age member from each of the 1,500 ESSNP beneficiary households. Initial activities will include a local market assessment and a detailed employment and skills profile of the selected beneficiaries. Based on these assessments, a tailored support package will be provided, including asset transfers (such as small agricultural equipment, cooking appliances, sewing machines, and other tools), training and business development support, coaching, mentoring, financial literacy training, and strategies to improve saving behaviors.

The PEIL pilot, set to run for approximately 12-18 months, will be managed by the René Moawad Foundation, selected for its extensive experience in economic inclusion and empowerment. The implementation will be overseen by the Ministry of Social Affairs and coordinated through Social Development Centers at the local level. The program's outcomes will be evaluated upon completion to assess its impact and potential for scale-up and replication.

This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing economic opportunities for Lebanon's low-income populations and supporting their journey towards greater financial independence and stability.