This project, implemented by the Institute for Global Prosperity at the University College London and PROCOL Lebanon, is about the relationship between livelihoods pressures, political experience, and the possibilities for socially and politically inclusive recovery in the Lebanese context of economic crisis.
The project addresses the research question on “meaning and design” presented by the AHRC-GCRF project “Strengthening Social Protection, Security and Welfare in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region”: how can social policies be more inclusive of citizen and resident perspectives and aspirations? The project approaches this question with a focus on people’s experiences of the economic crisis in Lebanon and explores if and how experiences of the crisis can become the basis for responsive and inclusive social policies that improve quality of life. The research addresses the following objectives:
- To develop an account of how livelihood strategies and adaptations are experienced in the context of economic hardships since 2019.
- To understand the landscape of political discourses and priorities (especially with respect to livelihoods and services), as well as the relationship between politicians/governance actors and members of the public.
- To understand if and how community-based approaches to solutions for livelihoods and services can contribute towards inclusive recovery for Lebanon.
- To produce a set of policy recommendations for inclusive growth and recovery (especially with respect to international assistance funding and its uses).
This project is supported by the Middle East and North Africa Social Policy Network (MENASP) at the University of Birmingham, in the framework of its ‘strengthening social welfare and security in the MENA region’ research programme, funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Global Challenges Research Fund.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Middle East and North Africa Social Policy (MENASP) Network or the University of Birmingham.