Social Enterprises Lead the Way in Crisis Response Amid Lebanon’s Escalating Conflict
Lebanon’s latest escalation of conflict has brought devastating consequences—widespread destruction, mass displacement, and countless lives impacted. But amid these challenges, social enterprises are emerging as beacons of resilience and innovation. COSV’s new report highlights pioneering social enterprises, showcasing how initiatives like **Agonista**, **shareQ**, and **Dekeneh al Nes** are leading a transformative approach to crisis response—one that goes beyond immediate aid to foster long-term empowerment and sustainability.
– Agonista: Through inclusive employment, Agonista empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities to prepare and distribute meals for displaced families. This approach shifts aid from mere dependency to active agency, as employees become essential contributors to their communities.
– shareQ: By rapidly expanding meal production to distribute 33,000 meals monthly across conflict-affected areas, shareQ creates jobs for people with disabilities and promotes environmentally sustainable practices. Their model highlights how social enterprises can adapt to crises with innovation and economic empowerment.
– Dekeneh al Nes: Known for its eco-conscious, zero-waste grocery model, Dekeneh al Nes has mobilized local youth to deliver essentials to displaced families, all while supporting local SMEs and minimizing waste. This approach integrates environmental sustainability into emergency relief, reinforcing community ties and resilience.
Mapping the Movement: Only the Tip of the Iceberg
COSV has just begun mapping Lebanon’s burgeoning social enterprise ecosystem in crisis response. The inspiring stories of Agonista, shareQ, and Dekeneh al Nes represent only the tip of the iceberg in a powerful and expanding movement. Across Lebanon, social enterprises are uniting to address urgent humanitarian needs while simultaneously fostering long-term economic and social development. This movement represents a fundamental shift, transforming crisis response into a sustainable, community-driven effort that builds resilience from within.
Conclusion: A New Model for Crisis Response
Social enterprises like Agonista, shareQ, and Dekeneh al Nes exemplify a new paradigm in crisis response—one rooted in empowerment, sustainability, and community engagement. By integrating aid within local economies and prioritizing employment and skill-building, these organizations create an impact that endures beyond immediate relief efforts.
This shift from dependency to empowerment has profound implications, especially in regions facing chronic instability. By investing in this growing social enterprise movement, Lebanon and its supporters can transform crisis response into a proactive model that builds stronger, more resilient communities.
The path forward calls for broader support from policymakers, investors, and humanitarian organizations to fully realize this potential. These early examples demonstrate that by empowering communities, we can redefine crisis response as a pathway to long-term stability and sustainable growth.
Join us in exploring this impactful movement and learn how social enterprises are reshaping Lebanon’s aid landscape for the better💪
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