Building Integrity and National Accountability in Lebanon (BINA')

Overview:

The BINA' (Building Integrity and National Accountability in Lebanon) project, funded by the European Union, is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and good governance in Lebanon. Implemented by Transparency International Secretariat (TI-S), Transparency International Lebanon (TI-LB), and the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies (LCPS), the project spans from February 2022 to December 2025. BINA' is structured around four core components, each contributing to the overarching goal of reinforcing civil society's role in Lebanon's reform efforts, particularly within the framework of the Reform, Recovery, and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) and the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.

Effort Overview:

Components of BINA':

Evidence-Based Advocacy:

This component focuses on supporting advocacy efforts with rigorous research and evidence. Collaborations with organizations like LCPS and Transparency International have led to impactful initiatives such as public opinion surveys on the 3RF process, which have been critical in informing advocacy strategies. Additionally, events and research dissemination activities aim to further transparency and accountability in governance.

CSO Capacity Building:

BINA' seeks to empower CSOs through financial support and training. The project has facilitated two rounds of subgrants, enabling organizations to undertake projects aligned with 3RF priorities and the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. Training sessions in strategic planning, governance, and financial management are core to this component, ensuring that CSOs can sustain their efforts long-term.

Network for Dialogue:

Recognizing the importance of collaboration, BINA' has established a network that facilitates structured dialogues between CSOs and the European Union. This network ensures that civil society is actively engaged in national and local dialogues, contributing to policy development and reform initiatives.

Citizen Engagement:

Citizen involvement is crucial to BINA’s success. The project emphasizes educating and mobilizing the public through various initiatives, such as information sessions and the launch of platforms like Ekhbar, which enable citizens to report corruption and engage with governance processes.

Partnerships:

Key/Lead CSOs:

Transparency International Lebanon (TI-LB)

Lebanese Center for Policy Studies (LCPS)

Transparency International Secretariat (TI-S)

Subgrantees:

First Call (3RF Priorities):

Arc En Ciel

KAFA

LLWB (Lebanese League for Women in Business)

ALDIC (Lebanese Association for Taxpayers Rights)

Live Love Lebanon

Second Call (3RF Priorities and National Anti-Corruption Strategy):

Assi Development

Smart Municipality (SMA)

Akkar Network for Development (AND)

TIPS (Tripoli Institute for Policy Studies) and Shift Innovation Hub

Terre Liban

Himaya Daem Ataa (HDA)

RESTART

Lebanese Micro Finance Association

CLDH (Representing 3RF IOB)

Progress and Achievements:

Current Status: As of early 2024, the BINA' project has made significant headway across its four components. The project has successfully launched two rounds of subgrants, with a total of 14 CSOs now engaged in efforts aligned with the 3RF and the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.

First Call (Completed by September 2023): The first round of subgrants, focusing on initiatives aligned with the 3RF priorities, saw the selection of five CSOs. These organizations have been working on various projects, including advocating for gender diversity in governance (LLWB), urban planning policies in Beirut (Live Love Lebanon), and improving public financial management (ALDIC).

Second Call (Launched in February 2024): The second call expanded to include nine CSOs working on the National Anti-Corruption Strategy at a local level. This round included organizations such as Assi Development, which is enhancing transparency in Hermel, and Smart Municipality, which is fostering citizen engagement through a public procurement platform for municipalities.

Major Milestones Achieved:

September 2023: The first subgrant cycle concluded with five CSOs. These grants supported projects such as the inclusion of disabled people in the workplace (Arc En Ciel) and the push for a unified personal status law (KAFA). These initiatives are critical in driving national reform efforts and ensuring alignment with the 3RF priorities.

October 2023: BINA' facilitated the first set of contracts with subgrantees at a signing event in Beirut. This event marked the official start of project implementation, with monthly and bi-weekly meetings established to monitor progress and address challenges.

January 2024: Following the failure of several government institutions to respond to information requests, a follow-up advocacy campaign was launched under BINA'. This campaign targeted the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Health, and other key sectors, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.

February 2024: The second round of subgrants was finalized, with nine new CSOs receiving funding to implement projects aligned with both the 3RF and the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. These projects include improving governance in Akkar through workshops and focus groups (Akkar Network for Development) and launching a platform to report environmental corruption (Terre Liban).

September 2024: The REHUB platform is set to be launched, a digital tool designed to empower local civil society by enabling them to monitor, track, and advocate for reforms efficiently. This platform will also facilitate knowledge sharing among CSOs, enhancing their capacity to engage in advocacy.

Ongoing (2024): The project continues to support structured dialogues between CSOs and the EU, with several multistakeholder dialogues planned for the year. These dialogues will address key issues such as governance, human rights, and environmental sustainability, fostering collaboration and collective action towards reform.

Visual Aids

-         Launch: Link

-         Structured Dialogue 1: Link

-         Structured Dialogue 2: Link

-         Subgrantees: Link

-         ALDIC: Link

-         arcenciel: Link

-         Kafa: Link

-         Livelove: Link

-         LLWB: Link

-         "From Theory of Change to Logical Framework: How to Build an Advocacy-Oriented Project": Link

-         Whistleblower Protection Effort Ekhbar: Link

-         2nd Call Organizations: Link

-         Akkar Network For Development: Link

-         Assi Development Association: Link

-         Himaya Daam Ataa: Link

-         Smart Municipality Academy: Link

-         SHIFT - Tripoli Institute for Policy Studies: Link

-         Terre Liban: Link

-         CLDH: Link

Contact Information

Transparency International Lebanon

Transparency@transparency-lebanon.org

70035777

Showcasing Activities – BINA’ Subgrantees Activities

-         1st TI-LB - TIPS Webinar on Anti-Corruption Practical Framework: Link

-         Information session: BINA' Sub-Grants Call for Proposals: Link

-         2nd TI-LB - TIPS Webinar on Anti-Corruption Practical Framework: Link

-         "From Theory of Change to Logical Framework: How to Build an Advocacy-Oriented Project" CSO Advocacy Training by TI-LB and TI-S: Link

-         1st TI-LB - TIPs Dialogue Session on Right to Access to Information: Link

-         2nd TI-LB - TIPs Dialogue Session on Right to Access to Information: Link

-         TI-LB - Kafa Awareness Session on Anti-Corruption Legal Framework and Corruption Reporting Mechanisms: Link

-         Call for Proposals: Link

-         Info-session on Call for Proposals: Link

-         Proposal Writing Training: Link

-         "From Theory of Change to Logical Framework: How to Build an Advocacy-Oriented Project" Webinar: Link

-         TI-LB - SMA Sessions on Anti-Corruption Legal Framework in Lebanon: Link