Lebanon

In 1943, Lebanon created a power sharing agreement that allocated political positions based on religion, politicizing the rich diversity of the country. The simmering tensions and population shifts between the main religious and ethnic groups within Lebanon eventually culminated in 1975 in a 15-year civil war. Today, Lebanon hosts a newly reborn democracy that still struggles with religious and ethnic divides. We first worked in Lebanon in 1996 and opened up a permanent office in 2008. After enormous growth, we now address conflicts arising within Lebanon’s already diverse society, tensions resulting from the increasing influx of Syrian refugees, security sector reform, and women’s socio-economic empowerment. For each issue, we seek to engage all stakeholders and strengthen local capacities in order to create sustainable change and increased social cohesion.

Capacity Statement (2022-2023)

SECOND WIND – BEST LOCAL SHORT DOCUMENTARY -

Our film “Second Wind” won the “Best Local Short Documentary”. “Second Wind” follows the lives of several former inmates on their journeys through post-carceral reintegration as they gradually reconnect with their communities. The documentary sheds light on former inmates’ experiences inside the prison system and the lack of opportunities for rehabilitation, both of which further motivated them to seek opportunities to gain a second chance upon their release.

latest projects

Partners for Justice - PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Since 2019, Search for Common Ground (Search) is implementing the Partners for Justice project which aims at reducing violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Lebanon by transforming attitudes of women, girls, men, and boys towards patriarchal norms that define masculinities, and addressing the root causes […]

TOWARDS A GENDER EQUITABLE SOCIETY - Search for Common Ground (Search) in partnership with ABAAD-Resource Center for Gender Equality (ABAAD) implemented the UK AID DIRECT-funded project “Towards a Gender-Equitable Society” in Lebanon. The 12-month project that closed in June 2022 aimed at breaking gender stereotypes and helping reduce sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), including […]

PILOTING YOUTH PLATFORMS - Search for Common Ground (Search) Lebanon and Jordan are jointly implementing the Piloting Youth Platforms in Lebanon and Jordan project. The project aims at empowering youth in Lebanon and Jordan to utilize and govern online and in-person youth platforms as a means of collaboratively tackling issues impacting youth. […]

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