20-08-2025 | di COOPI

Lebanon. Project SABAH starts to support refugees and host communities

On July 1st, the official launch of the project SABAH: Supporting SDCs in Akkar, Baalbeck-el Hermel, and North Lebanon to Increase Access to Health, Social Services, and Economic Livelihoods Opportunities took place in Beirut, Lebanon, with an inception meeting and workshop that brought together a wide range of key stakeholders.

SABAH is part of the broader ELISSA program, funded by the European Union and implemented by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), in partnership with the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA). The Ministry plays a central role in ensuring alignment with national priorities and facilitating collaboration with Social Development Centers (SDCs) and local authorities. The event gathered representatives from the implementing organizations, including COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale, ICU and AVSI, as well as local directors of SDCs, officials from MoSA, and AICS representatives, all of whom contribute to the initiative’s sustainability, coordination, and impact.

The initiative seeks to improve the living conditions and resilience of people displaced by the Syrian crisis alongside vulnerable Lebanese host communities, pursuing two interconnected objectives: first, to strengthen inclusive access to primary health care and social services; second, to expand livelihoods prospects through vocational training and job placement support. Concretely, the program invests in SDCs, enabling them to deliver more integrated services, adopt standardized outreach methods that better identify at risk households and operate a robust referral network for secondary and specialist care. At the same time, the SDCs receive technical and material support to scale up vocational training, career orientation, and employment matching services, ensuring that refugees and host community members alike can translate new skills into sustainable income.

This initial meeting served as an important step in laying the groundwork for coordinated action aiming to align all components on the project's vision, establish a shared understanding of its strategic framework and initiate collaboration among implementing and supporting partners.

The workshop addressed the main objectives and core components of this project, outlining the initial priorities and planned interventions that will guide its first phase. A detailed presentation provided attendees with a comprehensive overview of the project’s goals, geographic and thematic focus, and the expected implementation timeline.

Following the presentation, a dedicated Q&A session provided space for open dialogue. Participants were invited to ask questions and seek clarification: this exchange helped ensure a shared understanding and facilitated planning for the next steps. 

COOPI has been active in Lebanon since 2013, supporting Syrian refugees and host communities amid one of the world's most significant displacement crises. Lebanon hosts the highest number of refugees relative to its population, a reality that has placed immense pressure on local authorities to provide essential services, especially to the most vulnerable groups. Through its work, COOPI strives to alleviate difficulties and enhance access to vital support for those in need.  

The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to vulnerable groups. It acts globally to promote sustainable development of societies, environment and economies, so that everyone can benefit.

The European Union Delegation to Lebanon represents the European Union as a whole and speaks on behalf of its 27 Member States. The Delegation is responsible for promoting EU policy and for coordinating with Lebanon on political, economic, developmental and social issues.