This press release was originally published on the website of Transparency International Lebanon – No Corruption.

Beirut, 10 December 2025 – On the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day, Transparency International Lebanon – No Corruption (TI-LB) announced the completion of the “Right to Know” project, which aimed to strengthen local communities’ ability to exercise the Right of Access to Information Law and to empower individuals to actively participate in promoting transparency within municipalities and local administrations. With joint funding from the European Union (EU) and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark (DANIDA), the project was implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in cooperation with three civil society organizations: the Smart Municipality Academy, the Tripoli Policy Institute, and the Akkar Development Network, across Jdeideh–Metn, Akkar, and Tripoli.

Over a period of six months, the project supported the development of knowledge and capacities among 400 individuals —70% of whom were women—on the Right of Access to Information Law and its practical implementation. Participants succeeded in submitting 10 official information requests to the relevant authorities, all of which received formal responses. This clearly demonstrates how essential it is for communities to understand these mechanisms, and how effectively they can exercise their rights when provided with the proper knowledge and support.

The organization celebrated the closing of the project with a conference attended by Ms. Faten Abu Hassan, representing the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Brigadier General Ahmed Hajjar. Gathering representatives of local and national administrations, experts, civil society activists, and beneficiaries of the project, the event included opening remarks and contributions discussing the realities of implementing the Right of Access to Information Law, challenges related to weak proactive disclosure, the lack of designated information officers, and the need to strengthen trust between citizens and public institutions.

In this context, Deputy Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation to Lebanon, Mr. Cyril Dewaleyne, stressed that access to information is one of the strongest tools to prevent corruption and rebuild trust. It also strengthens public services: when information is open, services become fairer, cleaner, and more efficient. He added: “The European Union remains 

committed to improving access to information systems and digital tools, strengthening municipal capacity, and empowering citizens and youth.” UNDP Lebanon Deputy Resident Representative, Mr. Thair Shraideh, noted that the project has demonstrated that access to information paves the way for accountability, and that engaging people is the foundation of any genuine reform: “The challenge now is to turn laws into a tangible daily reality, one that allows people to access information, participate, and engage with public administrations in ways that strengthen trust and reinforce the relationship between state and natural and legal persons”, a point echoed by the President of Transparency International Lebanon – No Corruption, Esq. Mohammad F. Mattar, who added that at a time when Lebanon is intensifying its reform efforts, access to information has become the foundation upon which all other reforms are built: “There is no transparency without accountability, and there is no accountability without justice. We are all committed to making the right to access information a tangible reality, not just a legal text. Together, we can make the right to know the rule, not the exception!”

Participants in the sessions included MP George Okaiss, member of the Parliamentary Administration and Justice Committee; Dr. Kleib Kleib, member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission; Ms. Natacha Sarkis, Project Manager of UNDP’s “Anti-Corruption for Trust in Lebanon” project; and Mr. Julien Courson, Executive Director of Transparency International Lebanon – No Corruption, in addition to presidents of municipalities and civil society organizations involved in the project, as well as beneficiaries who had submitted access to information requests. 

The sessions focused on the current state of implementing the Right of Access to Information Law in Lebanon, as well as the practical lessons drawn from the field-level implementation of the “Right to Know” project across municipalities. The discussion between speakers and participants -from public institutions, civil society, and individual attendees- highlighted existing challenges and emerging opportunities, and resulted in a set of constructive conclusions and recommendations to strengthen the implementation of the law and improve the effectiveness of proactive disclosure. Participants also underscored the importance of cooperation between municipalities, public administrations, and civil society, along with the need to bolster institutional capacities to ensure people’s regular and transparent access to information.

The conference concluded by emphasizing the importance of continuing to build knowledge on the Right of Access to Information Law and strengthening the role of municipalities as key partners in the reform process.

The completion of the “Right to Know” project reflects the commitment of all supporting and implementing parties to continue working toward fostering transparency and enhancing individuals’ ability to pursue accountability, contributing to rebuilding trust between local communities and public administrations.