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A non-profit organization, the Foundation is a “société civile”, registered in Lebanon and authorized by
the relevant authorities.
The Foundation is forging institutional partnerships with world class quality reference institutes (in France, the UK and the USA as of today).
The objective of these partnerships is to benefit from a transfer of skills, but also from access to a well- established network.
In turn, the partner will be able to strengthen its positioning on themes of interest to it in the Middle East.
The Foundation strives to diversify its funding sources, none of which should represent more than 33% of its overall budget.
Donors are institutional, private or public
Contributions will be in the form of support to the Foundation, or funding for studies and projects, or core funding.
The possibility of setting up an endowment fund will be investigated to guarantee the financial autonomy of the Foundation over time.
The Citizen Foundation is a platform for strategic thinking and influence. It is a high-quality reference in the production of public policy options, as well as studies and analyses focusing on Arab countries, and also on middle-eastern relations with the world. The Citizen Foundation is also proactive in managing the debate on those various options. Combining the functions of a “think tank” and a “do tank”,the Foundation deals with subjects upstream with the parties concerned, then proposes clear and structuring choices in the short, medium and long terms, to finally create and organize the debate downstream.It is always mindful of bringing the youth into the process. Established in Lebanon and intended to support the challenges in this country, its action covers the Arab world, and extends to relations with Europe and its institutions. The Citizen Foundation offers optimal public policy choices, makes them explicit to the driving forces in one country, gathers support around them, and then pushes toward their implementation
A Foundation for the re-founding of Lebanon whose vocation is to think about the overhaul of the State and its public policies. In particular, it provides a set of policy options and will act as an enabler in various areas that are of high importance to stabilize the country, put it on a sustainable development path, and facilitate and accelerate its recovery. The Foundation is engaged in a permanent dialogue with the various parties involved on the Lebanese scene, be they local, civil society, or international, bilateral or multilateral. It relies on a wide network of high-quality collaborators, and ensures the monitoring and lobbying necessary to promote the choices resulting from its work. It also relies locally on quality staff who have extensive experience in Lebanese institutions and hands-on management. Supported by high-level non-partisan figures, well-recognized for their independent minds and impressive international expertise, the Foundation ensures its autonomy through diversified sources of funding. The Foundation seeks to propose options and ideas, and to disseminate them in a logic of influence, and to accompany the process until targets are met. A network of driving forces for change is being constituted, bringing together intellectuals, private players, associations, youth, universities, and others. The Citizen Foundation chooses its topics based on their transformative nature. The main focus of the Foundation is Lebanon, with right on target subjects, but it also provides expertise to Arab countries, especially when the same topics addressed for Lebanon are of relevance to others. The Foundation is also providing a southern look at policies promoted by the northern part of the Mediterranean.
The logo has been created after a thorough type analysis that focused on the letter “C” (citizen)
Priority themes cover adjustment policies, providing the country (and/or the region) with long-term goals for sustainable welfare. There will be a dual focus on macro and sectors, since both are central legs of a reform agenda. On the macro, how to fix the state is important, as well as major options such as bank restructuring, sustainable development and civil rights. Also, inclusive growth opens studies on business climate, SMEs, new industries and green industries.
Other studies will focus on short and medium-term infrastructure and sectoral issues. Many topics are identified (see below) and are subject to strategic and operational validation. Some items are related to the expected reinitiating of the sectoral and infrastructure agenda supported by international financing, and in all cases, topics are selected to highlight credible alternatives to unsuccessful public policies and poor governance.
The Foundation complements its research and studies with wide awareness campaigns to mobilize citizens’ and organized groups’ support on the relevant topics. Building support through networking with the civil society, youth movements and other organizations will always be key.
Taxation (as it is at the heart of the overhaul of the social contract) and inequalities
Digital transition, as it is at the heart of the country's economic transformation
Civil rights, women’s rights
Boosting Lebanon’s human capital; Education
Energy, telecom, water and sanitation
Green transition, clean energy, climate change (regional)
Transports & infrastructure, to build a sense of national common space & boost productivity
Lebanon and the European neighborhood policy
Trade policies, with a focus on the European Union
The labor market and migration, to restore competitiveness and address geopolitical challenges
Food security, the delivery of humanitarian relief, and innovative approaches to education in the absence of functioning state institutions
The parallel evolution of Lebanon and Syria, currency and trade
Strengthening the state of Law
Enforcing accountability for key stakeholders
Strengthening social nets
A banking resolution framework
Increasing the share of green energy
Protecting depositors, what can still be done?
Improve popular representativeness, a set of measures.
One or two in-depth studies on the chosen theme which will result in the regular publication of concise notes outlining the diagnostic, the issues and possible solutions in the meantime.
In parallel, short and well-focused sectoral or system-improving studies will be issued in line with the context of the moment.
Formats suitable for social media will be produced. Podcasts and media will also be used.
Its role is to implement the Foundation’s missions, namely the definition of public policy recommendations and their dissemination. It will also have to ensure the administrative management of the Foundation. The recruitment of the director is carried out by the president and approved by the General Assembly. The Foundation will rely on a small dynamic team and a solid network of renowned collaborators. It will offer internships to university students interested in research. And given the critical role of the financial sector in Lebanon, the Foundation will eventually integrate a permanent financial team. It will also analyze the macro situation on a recurring basis.
