Back to members
Social Innovation Country Report:
Lebanon
In Lebanon, social innovation is not formally defined or widely discussed.
Legal and Policy Frameworks

Lebanon has adopted the following legal frameworks, strategies, and vision documents related to social innovation:

  • Non-profit organizations and charities
  • Community based organizations
  • SDG
Current stage of implementation:
Stage1: Non-profit organizations and charities
Stage2: Community based/led organizations
Stage3: Community based/led organizations
Stage4: Community based/led organizations
Stage5: Community based/led organizations

with:

  • Stage1: “No Policy or Recognition: No formal recognition, discussion, or policy exists. The sector operates informally or without government involvement.”;
  • Stage2: “Initial Discussions & Awareness: The government acknowledges the sector and has started discussions or consultations, but no formal policy framework or regulation exists.”;
  • Stage3: “Draft Policy or Framework in Development: A draft policy, strategy, or regulatory framework is currently being developed. The government may be conducting research, stakeholder consultations, or legislative drafting.”;
  • Stage4: “Pilot Programs or Limited Implementation: Some initiatives, pilot projects, or partial government-backed programs exist, but full implementation has not yet been achieved. Policies may be tested in select regions or for specific groups.”;
  • Stage5: “Policy Adopted but Not Fully Implemented: A formal law, policy, or regulation has been passed, but it has not been fully implemented, enforced, or funded. Gaps in execution may still exist.”;
  • Stage6: “Policy in Effect & Actively Implemented: The policy is fully enacted and actively being implemented. There is clear government support, funding, and enforcement mechanisms in place.”;
  • Stage7: “Policy Reviewed & Strengthened: The existing policy has been evaluated and improved over time based on feedback, data, or evolving needs. New funding, incentives, or structural reforms may have been introduced.”; and
  • Stage8: “Leading in Policy Innovation: The country is recognized as a leader in this policy area, with best practices, strong regulatory frameworks, and incentives that actively promote and support the sector.”
Ecosystem Actors
Key Actors in the Ecosystem

The leading actors driving social innovation in Lebanon include government ministries, social enterprises, NGOs, philanthropic institutions, academia, and other ecosystem builders. The top three most influential actors are:

  • NGOs
  • Impact investors & financial institutions (Impact funds)
  • Academic and research centers

Education and Capacity Building

Formal and informal education programs that support social innovation exist in the following forms in Lebanon:

  • No formal programs:“ There are no government-recognized education, training, or capacity-building initiatives for social innovation.
Coordinating Bodies
Ecosystem Communication
The level of communication and coordination among key actors in Lebanon’s social innovation ecosystem is currently Minimal:“ actors work in silos with minimal communication.
Support Mechanisms for Policy and Finance
Policy Incentives and Support Mechanisms

No existing incentives

Financing Mechanisms

International funding (e.g., EU/bilateral/multilateral funds)

Impact
Flagship Programs and Achievements
International Collaborations
Tech for Good Innovations
Impact Measurement Frameworks

Lebanon does not have a formal framework or methodology for measuring social innovation impact.

Economic Contribution of Social Innovation
Reports on Social Impact

There are no Reports and studies that assess the social impact of innovation in Lebanon.

Policy Momentum

Momentum for social innovation as a public policy issue in Lebanon is currently rated as:
No Momentum: Social innovation is not recognized or prioritized in public policy, with little to no government discussion or action.

Barriers to Growth

The following barriers are currently hindering the growth of social innovation in Lebanon:

  • Lack of sustainable funding model
  • Weak collaboration between public, private, and civil society sectors
  • Difficulty in measuring and demonstrating impact
  • Limited access to skilled professionals in the sector
Collaborative Ideas
Stay Updated
Receive fresh insights, stories, and calls-to-action directly to your inbox.