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UNDP Launches Labour-Intensive Short-Term Employment Initiative – Lebanon

Deadline: 16-Mar-2026

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a Labour-Intensive Short-Term Employment initiative in Tyre and Marjaayoun districts under the Stabilization in Southern Lebanon Project. The initiative provides immediate income support to vulnerable returnees and host communities while rehabilitating infrastructure and restoring public spaces. The intervention has a total budget of USD 190,000 (excluding VAT) and must be implemented within three months, including final reporting.

What Is the UNDP Labour-Intensive Short-Term Employment Initiative?

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is implementing a labour-intensive short-term employment intervention in southern Lebanon.

The initiative aims to:

  • Provide temporary employment opportunities

  • Deliver immediate income support

  • Support local recovery and stabilization

  • Strengthen public infrastructure and services

The project focuses specifically on communities in:

  • Tyre district

  • Marjaayoun district

It operates under the broader Stabilization in Southern Lebanon Project.

Program Objective

The main objective is to provide short-term employment and income support to vulnerable populations while contributing to stabilization and economic recovery.

The intervention combines:

The project aligns with three stabilization pillars:

  1. Increased state-provided security through enhanced presence of Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces

  2. Rehabilitation of infrastructure and improved public services

  3. Income support aligned with stabilization goals

Strategic Context

Lebanon’s Economic Crisis

Lebanon is experiencing one of the most severe economic crises of the 21st century.

  • GDP declined from approximately USD 52 billion in 2019

  • Estimated GDP fell to around USD 21 billion in 2023

The economic downturn has severely affected livelihoods, employment, and public services.

Escalation of Hostilities

Conflict along the southern border intensified into full-scale warfare by September 2024.

This caused:

  • Damage to housing and businesses

  • Destruction of agricultural establishments

  • Disruption of schools and health facilities

  • Damage to water and other critical infrastructure

The intervention directly addresses these urgent recovery needs.

What the Initiative Will Support

The selected implementing partner will carry out labour-intensive activities that:

  • Rehabilitate damaged infrastructure

  • Restore and maintain public spaces

  • Support Disaster Risk Management capacity

  • Improve local service delivery

  • Create short-term employment opportunities

All activities must visibly reinforce central government ownership, including use of official government logos on signage and commemorative markers.

Project Duration and Budget

  • Total budget: USD 190,000 (excluding VAT)

  • Implementation period: Maximum three months (including final reporting)

The short timeframe requires rapid mobilization and efficient project execution.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must:

  • Be legally registered NGOs or civil society organizations

  • Be authorized to operate in Lebanon

  • Have at least five years of relevant experience

  • Demonstrate experience in labour-intensive or short-term employment projects

  • Have proven capacity in community development and project monitoring

Applications from organizations without demonstrated experience in similar interventions may not be considered.

Why This Initiative Matters

This initiative is critical because it:

  • Provides immediate income relief to vulnerable returnees and host communities

  • Supports stabilization in post-conflict areas

  • Restores public confidence in state institutions

  • Enhances visibility of central government recovery efforts

  • Strengthens resilience and local recovery systems

The intervention contributes to long-term economic recovery while addressing urgent humanitarian and stabilization needs.

How to Apply – Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Confirm Organizational Eligibility

Ensure your organization:

  • Is legally registered in Lebanon

  • Has at least five years of relevant experience

  • Has implemented labour-intensive or cash-for-work projects

  • Has monitoring and reporting capacity

Step 2: Develop a Labour-Intensive Work Plan

Your proposal should outline:

  • Target beneficiary groups

  • Types of rehabilitation activities

  • Employment selection criteria

  • Wage distribution mechanism

  • Monitoring and reporting framework

Step 3: Align With Stabilization Pillars

Demonstrate how your activities contribute to:

  • Infrastructure rehabilitation

  • Improved service delivery

  • Income support for vulnerable populations

  • Government visibility and ownership

Step 4: Prepare Budget

  • Ensure total costs align with the USD 190,000 ceiling

  • Exclude VAT

  • Provide clear cost breakdowns

  • Include monitoring and reporting costs

Step 5: Submit Complete Proposal

Submit all required documentation within the specified deadline under UNDP guidelines.

Incomplete or non-compliant proposals may be rejected.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Proposing activities exceeding the three-month timeframe

  2. Failing to demonstrate relevant prior experience

  3. Ignoring stabilization pillar alignment

  4. Submitting unrealistic employment targets

  5. Not incorporating government visibility requirements

  6. Providing vague monitoring plans

Strong proposals demonstrate rapid implementation capacity and stabilization alignment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the total budget available?

The total available budget is USD 190,000, excluding VAT.

2. How long can the project run?

The project must be completed within three months, including final reporting.

3. Who are the target beneficiaries?

Returnees and host communities in Tyre and Marjaayoun districts.

4. What type of activities are funded?

Labour-intensive infrastructure rehabilitation, public space restoration, and service improvement activities.

5. Can newly established NGOs apply?

No. Applicants must have at least five years of relevant experience.

6. Are activities limited to infrastructure?

No. Activities may also strengthen Disaster Risk Management capacity and improve service delivery.

7. Must government visibility be included?

Yes. Activities must attribute work to the central government, including use of official logos on signage.

Conclusion

The UNDP Labour-Intensive Short-Term Employment Initiative in southern Lebanon provides urgent income support while advancing stabilization and infrastructure rehabilitation. With a USD 190,000 budget and a three-month implementation window, the project requires experienced NGOs capable of rapid deployment and effective community engagement.

Eligible Lebanese civil society organizations with strong labour-intensive project experience should prepare a structured proposal aligned with stabilization pillars to contribute meaningfully to recovery and resilience in Tyre and Marjaayoun districts.

For more information, visit UNDP.