International Development Grant

Support for Lebanon's Recovery

Project Number: CA-3-P010143001

Status: Operational

Country/Region:

Lebanon 100.00%

Maximum Contribution: $20,000,000.00

Start Date: June 04, 2021

End Date: June 30, 2025

Duration: 4.1 years

Project Description

The Beirut port explosion and Lebanon’s ongoing socio-economic and COVID-19 crises have left an increasing number of poor and vulnerable people and businesses in need of urgent assistance to recover and restore their local communities and livelihoods. The explosion also exacerbated the highly strained social contract between Lebanon’s political leaders and citizens fostering widespread mistrust in any government-led recovery and reconstruction efforts. In response the World Bank United Nations and European Union jointly developed the Lebanon Reform Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) through a multi-stakeholder approach used successfully in other crisis affected countries. The 3RF identifies priority activities to address the socio-economic needs of the most vulnerable people and businesses with an initial focus on those most impacted from the port explosion. It also provides a mechanism to coordinate the international community’s support through a World Bank multi-donor trust fund.

Expected Results

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) enhanced socio-economic recovery of poor and vulnerable communities households and businesses most impacted by the explosion; (2) enhanced design and implementation of targeted reforms policy actions and institutional strengthening measures to lay the groundwork for recovery and reconstruction; and (3) strengthened capacity and institutional arrangements for multi-stakeholder dialogue and coordination monitoring and evaluation and citizen engagement.

Progress & Results Achieved

Results achieved as of December 2022 include: (1) provided 2 070 vulnerable beneficiaries (1 440 women and 630 men) social services such as mental health support Gender Based Violence safe houses and quality healthcare. Also trained 86 Non- governmental Organizations care workers (65 women and 21 men) on case management and service delivery. The project also provided grants to 1 850 micro small and medium businesses (592 women-owned or led) to cover expenses related to working capital technical services equipment and repairs. The project disbursed USD 944 866 to three micro-finance institutions to cover their operational expenses and ensure the continued provision of financial services to small businesses; (2) developed Standard Procurement documents for Lebanon’s Public Procurement Authority and reviewed Lebanon’s Public Investment Management Action Plan to support targeted reforms; and (3) designed and implemented institutional arrangements for multi-stakeholder coordination on government reform including the Lebanon Finance Facility citizen engagement platform (online as of 2023) and an Independent Oversight Body led by civil society.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
World Bank

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
EGM Europe Arctic Middle East and Magh

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Public sector policy and administrative management 10%
Social/welfare services 25%
Multi-sector aid for basic social services 30%
Informal/semi-formal financial intermediaries 25%
Business Development Services 10%

Aid Type: Contributions to specific-purpose programmes and funds managed by implementing partners

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Department-Initiated

Policy Markers
Level 1 Gender equality
Level 2 Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting)
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2021-04-01 to 2022-03-31 $20,000,000 CAD
Geographic Information
000
Project Number: CA-3-P010143001