Social Protection system-building in Lebanon: strengthening integration and consolidating the National Disability Allowance

In the past 2 years, the existing EU Regional Trust Fund’s support for improved social protection in Lebanon – “Addressing lifecycle vulnerabilities through social grants” - was a key enabler in furthering UNICEF and ILO’s support to the Government of Lebanon in achieving important milestones for a progressive realization of the right to social protection for all in Lebanon. Key milestones include: the approval of the National social Protection strategy and mainstreaming of social protection reforms in other national strategies (such as Disability Strategy and Strategy for Older Persons); the launch and implementation of the National disability Allowance including support to MOSA’s Rights & Access (R&A) program and centres; the first ever national budget allocations to social grants; the approval of a major reform of the National Social Security Fund, including a pension reform for private sector workers in Lebanon. This project builds on the achievements of its first phase by prioritizing technical assistance towards the national social protection system (NSPS) and the maintenance and further institutionalization of the National Disability Allowance (NDA) programme, thereby addressing lifecycle vulnerabilities. Specific attention is drawn towards systemic and programmatic gaps such as fragmented initiatives with limited coverage, inequitable investment in social protection, institutional weaknesses, data gaps, and the absence of a rights-based approach. These critical gaps hinder the system's ability to address the needs of the already vulnerable population, including children, persons with disabilities, older persons, and refugees effectively. The majority of the funding is be dedicated to providing financial support for the delivery of cash assistance as part of the NDA and enabling a transition towards full national ownership.

Project symbol

LBN/24/01/EUR

Admin unit

RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut

Start date

01/10/2024

End date

01/10/2027

Total allocation

1125129

Total expenditure

Status

Active

686567

Development Partners

Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon

Country/Countries

Lebanon

Outcomes

Outcome 7: Universal social protection