Background & Rationale
Lebanon is at a pivotal crossroads in its journey toward a robust, integrated, and universal social protection system. Recent policy and legislative advancements—such as the introduction of the National Disability Allowance (NDA), amendments to the Social Security Law, the landmark pension reform via Law 319, and the National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS)—have paved the way for a transformative era in Lebanese social policy. However, deep-seated challenges remain. Gaps between legislative intent and executive implementation, compounded by the aftermath of recent conflicts and economic crises, underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive, inclusive, and shock-responsive approach to social security and social assistance. Yet, the establishment of a new government with a reformist agenda can constitute a leverage point in our strive for the right to social security for all.
In light of this, the Arab Reform Initiative (ARI), in collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO), is launching a series of four closed national policy dialogues. These hybrid, multi-stakeholder sessions (conducted in Beirut and online via Zoom) are designed to mobilize experts, policymakers, civil society organizations, labor unions, and international organizations. Our goal is to generate actionable policy recommendations that will bridge the existing gap between legal frameworks and practical implementation, ensuring that social protection reforms in Lebanon achieve their transformative potential.
About the Project
This initiative brings together a dynamic group of experts and influential stakeholders committed to advancing Lebanon’s social protection reforms. Over five months—from March to July 2025—ARI and ILO will convene four targeted policy dialogues that delve into critical aspects of Lebanon’s social protection system:
- Sustainability of the Social Assistance System and Linkages with the Humanitarian System
- Implementation Challenges and Opportunities for the New Pension System
- Recovery Pathways for a Failing Health Financing System
- Governance Under the National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS)
Each dialogue is meticulously structured to foster in-depth discussions, identify institutional, legal, and financial barriers, and propose innovative, evidence-based solutions that can drive policy reform. Through a hybrid model, participants can engage in high-level panels and interactive roundtable discussions—ensuring both strategic oversight and practical implementation perspectives are integrated.
Project Objectives
Advance Social Protection Reforms: Generate actionable insights to accelerate the implementation of Lebanon’s recent social protection reforms, including the NDA, the pension law, and the NSPS.
Foster Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: Create a safe space for high-level policymakers, experts, and civil society representatives to exchange ideas, share success stories, and build consensus on reform strategies.
Bridge the Implementation Gap: Address the critical disconnect between legislative achievements and their on-the-ground execution, ensuring that policies translate into tangible, inclusive social security benefits.
Enhance Shock-Responsiveness and -Resilience: Evaluate and enhance the shock-responsive features of social assistance and social insurance programs to better prepare Lebanon for future crises and conflicts.
Promote Evidence-Based Policy-Making: Develop policy briefs and consolidate them in a comprehensive and analytical policy report to encapsulate the dialogues’ outcomes and provide a feasible roadmap for sustainable social protection reforms.
Project Outputs
- Four Policy Dialogues: Each dialogue will run for 3 hours in a hybrid format, combining high-level panel discussions with technical roundtable sessions.
- Policy Briefs: Following each dialogue, a concise 3-page policy brief will capture the key takeaways, recommendations, and actionable steps. These briefs will be available in both Arabic and English.
- Comprehensive Policy Report: At the conclusion of the series, all four policy briefs will be integrated into one comprehensive report that analyzes the outcomes and provides an integrated policy roadmap for social protection reforms in Lebanon.
- Communications Strategy: A robust communications plan will ensure widespread dissemination of findings, including targeted outreach, social media campaigns, infographics, and a summary video to engage both policymakers and the broader public.
Project Partners
The success of this initiative is anchored in strong partnerships with leading organizations in the field of social protection and human rights:
- International Labor Organization (ILO)
- Human Rights Watch (HRW)
- Amnesty International
Co-convening the dialogues with HRW and Amnesty International falls within ARI’s partnership with them in the framework of the Global Campaign for the Right to Social Security. These partners bring global expertise and firsthand international experiences, enriching the dialogues with best practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches to social security reforms.
Project Sponsor
This initiative is funded by the ILO, through the United Kingdom and the European Union.
