Fostering inclusive local and national-level dialogue in Lebanon

To achieve its objectives, the project is structured around three interlinked work packages: 

Work Package 1: Outreach and advocacy on a baseline for national consensus regarding a future vision for the country and its common values

WP1 focuses on strengthening the ability of political and societal actors to engage in constructive dialogue around Lebanon’s future. Central to this effort is the engagement of a Group of Experts and Opinion Leaders (GEOL), as a network of influential figures, activists, and public personalities who act as bridge-builders across political divides.

The work under this package aims to develop a common denominator that can serve as a foundation for broader national discussions on reconciliation, reform, and shared values, contributing to a more coherent and inclusive vision for Lebanon.

Work Package 2: Supporting local partners in developing and implementing small-scale culture and dialogue initiatives to foster an inclusive and restorative reconciliation with the past

WP2 focuses on addressing Lebanon’s unresolved past by supporting discussions and cultural initiatives that promote reflection, mutual understanding, and reconciliation.

Through partnerships with civil society organizations, academic institutions, and local actors, this work package aims to encourage inclusive narratives around the Lebanese Civil War and its legacy, fostering a shared understanding of past experiences and their impact on present-day divisions.

Work Package 3: Local-level dialogue in selected regions to implement small-scale service projects to promote societal encounters among the Lebanese groups

The approach is grounded in identifying common interests and promoting a culture of integrity through participatory processes.

The work is implemented across four selected areas: Aaqoura (Byblos district), Beirut (areas along the demarcation line), Greater Tyre (South Lebanon), and Marjayoun-Khaim-Qlayaa (South Lebanon). In each area, inclusive local task forces are established, bringing together representatives from municipalities, civil society, community actors and local stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.

• IDP Sub-Track:
  In response to the recent Israeli war on Lebanon and the resulting internal displacement, a dedicated sub-track was created to enhance the response to the ongoing needs of internally displaced persons and returnees by funding initiatives that aim to alleviate the multitude of challenges they are facing.

WP1 Activities

• Facilitating structured dialogue sessions with political parties and key stakeholders
• Engaging the GEOL (Group of Experts and Opinion Leaders) in developing a baseline of agreement on national priorities and reform pathways
• Supporting thematic working groups (including a SWOT analysis group made up of retired Lebanese Armed Forces generals) to contribute to vision-building processes
• Conducting outreach and advocacy efforts to promote a shared national vision grounded in compromise and common values

WP2 Activities

• Facilitating dialogue spaces that encourage reflection on the legacy of the war, emphasizing shared experiences of suffering across communities and the importance of avoiding renewed conflict
• Conducting roundtable discussions, bringing together civil society, experts, and stakeholders engaged in “Dealing with the Past”
• Launching a call for proposals and funding local initiatives focused on reconciliation, memory, and inclusive narratives
• Promoting awareness and dialogue that transforming collective memory into a driver of cohesion rather than division

WP3 Activities

• Establishing local task forces in each of the four selected areas and ensuring representation from diverse political, social, and professional backgrounds
• Facilitating regular local dialogue sessions and social dialogue meetings to promote trust, cooperation, and a culture of encounter among communities
• Supporting participatory processes to identify shared community priorities and common interests
• Launching calls for proposals and funding small-scale local initiatives that bring communities together around service delivery and social cohesion
• Implementing targeted activities under the IDP sub-track, addressing the needs of displaced populations

This project is funded by the European Union Delegation in Lebanon and implemented by the Berghof Foundation in close cooperation with Lebanese civil society organizations, local authorities, academic institutions, and national stakeholders.

Through this collaborative approach, the project ensures that dialogue processes and initiatives are locally grounded, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of diverse communities across Lebanon.