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One of our significant collaborations is with The Nawaya Network on the “Naaam Business Solutions Center (Naaam BSC)” initiative, launched under Swisscontact’s Tafawoq project. Naaam BSC aims to close market gaps in the construction sector by connecting service providers with potential clients. This connection is facilitated through capacity-building workshops as well as a networking platform where service providers can access job postings to expand their market reach and skillsets.
Through monthly meetings, Swisscontact and The Nawaya Network actively engage in discussions that allow the team to optimise their impact while retaining autonomy over the programme’s execution. Site visits provide further guidance, helping the team align with programme objectives and adapt to emerging challenges.
Swisscontact’s partnership with The Nawaya Network also emphasises cost-sharing and resource leveraging with the private sector, which Hawa sees as pivotal for strengthening project ownership. Over the last four years, The Nawaya Network has forged several partnerships to support micro and small enterprises, connecting them with larger private clients. Reflecting on these experiences, Hawa notes, “We are now collecting lessons learned to plan more effective private sector collaborations in the next project phase, which will focus on deeper capacity building and fostering beneficial partnerships.”
Another key collaboration is Swisscontact’s partnership with arcenciel on the “Re-Suit” initiative in the textile sector, which centred on recycling and upcycling donated textiles. Since its launch in 2020, the initiative has given rise to two social business brands aimed at generating revenue, offering affordable clothing, and reducing environmental impact. With support from Swisscontact, these brands are on a path to operate independently starting in 2025.
These insights underscore the strength of Swisscontact’s commitment to locally led development in Lebanon, creating sustainable and resilient solutions across sectors and ensuring that local organisations are equipped to lead with confidence and purpose.
The interaction between arcenciel and Swisscontact, including weekly meetings and participatory workshops, fosters an environment of ongoing engagement and knowledge exchange. According to Hatoum, “Swisscontact’s technical and strategic guidance has not only improved our management practices but also empowered us to approach challenges with greater confidence.”
A defining aspect of Swisscontact’s support is its shared decision-making model, which allows local partners like arcenciel to have an active role in project design and execution. “The collaborative approach in decision-making has introduced new perspectives,” Hatoum explains, “allowing us to co-create solutions that resonate deeply with local communities.”
In Lebanon, Swisscontact’s partnerships with The Nawaya Network and arcenciel showcase how localised, inclusive development can create meaningful change. Through collaborative decision-making, technical support, and shared resource strategies, Swisscontact is empowering local organisations to lead impactful projects that respond to Lebanon’s unique challenges.
This project is financed by the Leopold Bachmann Foundation, among other donors. This project is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.