Deadline: 25-Aug-2025
The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) is inviting grant applications aimed at advancing participatory local economic development in Lebanon. This initiative, part of the EU 4 Lebanon – Inclusive Services for Social Actions (ELISSA) project, is funded by the European Union and focuses on supporting vulnerable groups, including refugees and host communities, affected by the Syrian crisis.
The project seeks to improve access to quality social services and sustainable livelihood opportunities in underserved and high-vulnerability areas. It builds on the earlier ISOSEP program, which developed a model for integrated social service delivery. ELISSA expands that model, working closely with Social Development Centers (SDCs) under Lebanon’s Ministry of Social Affairs to drive local development and community engagement.
Under this call, local economic operators and community-based organizations (CBOs) will receive financial and technical support to implement localized development plans. Grants range from €20,000 to €45,000 for MSMEs, cooperatives, and startups, requiring 10% co-financing. CBOs can receive between €10,000 and €25,000. The maximum available grant under this call is €1,400,000.
Target groups include women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Priority will be given to projects that create jobs, promote environmental sustainability, strengthen local value chains, or contribute to the green transition. The expected outcomes include community-led analysis, supported development plans, and broad dissemination of lessons learned and best practices.
Certain costs such as debts, land purchases, and in-kind contributions are ineligible. Applicants must be non-profit legal entities, established in EU member states or eligible territories, and have proven experience in local development, sub-granting, and collaboration with SDCs. Co-applicants must meet the same criteria and actively participate in project design and implementation.
Entities with only contractual or informal collaborative ties to applicants are not considered affiliated and are ineligible for participation.
For more information, visit Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.