Social enterprises leading crisis response: Stories of resilience and innovation from Lebanon

When crises occur, social enterprises are often among the first to respond. In Lebanon, the backdrop of economic hardship and social unrest has sparked a remarkable wave of resilience. Social enterprises are stepping up, not just as businesses but as lifelines in a community facing profound challenges. 

SEWF and People and Planet First Partner Coordinamento delle Organizzazioni per Servizio Volontario (COSV), which operates in the country, recently shared some examples of what social enterprises are doing in response to urgent community needs.

Empowering youth and supporting the vulnerable 

Agonista is a social enterprise dedicated to employing individuals with intellectual disabilities, offering them meaningful work and a sense of purpose. In response to the emergency, Agonista has mobilised its trained workforce to prepare and distribute meals to displaced families. This initiative ensures that 500 individuals receive daily meals while also keeping employees with intellectual disabilities active and involved in their communities.

The effort goes beyond providing food—it is about restoring dignity. By empowering employees to contribute, Agonista highlights the importance of inclusion, even in the most challenging times.

Combatting hunger and empowering communities through inclusive employment

For over a decade, shareQ has led the way in inclusive employment, particularly for people with disabilities. In response to Lebanon’s crisis, shareQ has been distributing up to 33,000 meals monthly in Beirut and Tripoli to families facing hunger and displacement.

Through its ProAbled and M Social Catering (MSC) units, shareQ combines immediate relief with long-term empowerment. ProAbled provides job opportunities for people with disabilities, while MSC delivers food to vulnerable communities, schools and NGOs. Meals are distributed via solar-powered vans, reducing fuel dependency and environmental impact.

Since its founding, shareQ has helped over 800 people gain employment, trained HR professionals on inclusive practices, and distributed hundreds of thousands of meals, creating sustainable change and fostering resilience in Lebanon’s most vulnerable populations.

Mobilising community solidarity in times of need

Dekeneh al Nes, an eco-conscious solidarity shop founded in 2022, is dedicated to supporting local producers and reducing waste. Amid Lebanon’s ongoing crisis, Dekeneh al Nes mobilised its Chouf Youths Initiative, a grassroots effort that engages volunteers from across the Chouf region to support displaced families seeking refuge in the area.

The initiative focuses on providing essential aid, such as food, hygiene products, mattresses and medical supplies, to displaced individuals in 17 schools and 171 homes across the region. Volunteers also launched a meal preparation and distribution programme, delivering thousands of meals to displaced families.

By involving local communities in the relief effort, Dekeneh al Nes not only addresses immediate needs but also strengthens resilience and solidarity during these difficult times.

Going beyond immediate crisis response

Agonista, shareQ, and Dekeneh al Nes present a new model for crisis response – one that combines immediate relief with lasting impact. These organisations are not merely reacting to Lebanon’s current challenges; they are creating jobs, encouraging inclusion and laying the foundation for stronger communities in the future.

At the heart of each initiative is empowerment, not dependency. Whether through providing meals, creating jobs, or engaging local communities, these social enterprises are helping Lebanon not just survive, but thrive in the face of adversity.

About COSV

Since 1968, Coordinamento delle Organizzazioni per Servizio Volontario  (COSV) has focused on inclusive community development and humanitarian aid. Working in Europe, the Balkans, Africa and the Middle East, COSV collaborates with local social enterprises to meet the needs of vulnerable communities. Their commitment to sustainability and human rights ensures that crisis responses offer immediate relief while also paving the way for lasting change.