Project Overview

This project aims to enhance the economic security, stability, and prosperity of women-led and women-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Lebanon — ultimately supporting their livelihoods and overall well-being.

It seeks to address the limited economic participation of women in productive sectors by tackling institutional and structural barriers that restrict their engagement, while also providing them with access to financing and opportunities to access markets.

With generous funding from the Government of Canada, UNDP Lebanon in partnership with UNIDO is implementing a comprehensive approach to ensure women’s equal access to key resources, tools, and economic opportunities, enabling them to grow their businesses in a sustainable and resilient way.

In parallel, the project works with public and private institutions to equip them with the systems and tools needed to improve their responsiveness to business needs. This dual approach helps ensure that women become primary drivers of their own economic success and empowerment.

Project Objective

To strengthen the economic security and prosperity of women-led and women-owned MSMEs in Lebanon by:

• Enhancing the capacity of trade support organizations to better respond to women entrepreneurs’ needs in local and international markets.  
• Promoting the use of digital solutions by trade support organizations and women-led SMEs to facilitate their trade journeys.  
• Enabling financial institutions to design and offer tools that meet women entrepreneurs’ needs and support business growth.  
• Equipping women-led SMEs with the skills and resources to access finance and expand their operations. 
• Supporting women-led SMEs in improving product competitiveness to enter and thrive in new markets. 

Key achievements - 2025:

• 96 women-led MSMEs in agro-food, cosmetics, and creative sectors received financial grants and technical support to modernize operations, invest in equipment, and expand market access.
• By December 2025, 93% of supported businesses accessed new buyers, achieving 23% higher turnover and a 22% increase in full-time jobs, including a 28% rise in female employment.
• Three Regional Trade Help Desks were established within the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, Tripoli, and Zahle, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Trade strengthening decentralized business support. A fourth trade help desk will be launched in 2026 to serve South of Lebanon. 
• Since Q3/2025, nearly 300 women-led businesses benefited from Trade Help Desk sessions, improving compliance, competitiveness, and market readiness.
• A national online Trade Help Desk portal was launched to improve access to trade and export information and support informed business decision-making.
• Digitization of key services at the Ministries of Economy and Trade and the Ministry of Industry was initiated to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and gender responsiveness of institutional services which are essential to ease the Doing Business Environment.

GESI Component (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion):

• Macro level: The project advances gender-responsive policymaking by integrating gender equality considerations into trade, MSME, and private sector frameworks, strengthening an enabling environment for women’s economic participation.
• Meso level: The project strengthens a gender-responsive business support ecosystem through Regional Trade Help Desks, improved public–private coordination, and inclusive access to information, advisory services, and digital tools.
• Micro level: The project empowers women entrepreneurs and women-led MSMEs by improving access to finance, investment readiness, and tailored technical assistance supporting formalization, productivity, and market expansion
• Across all levels, the project reinforces women’s control and agency over economic resources and assets while promoting quality employment for women, contributing to sustaining livelihoods, leadership in business decision-making, and the creation of inclusive job opportunities within local communities.