About FES Lebanon

Since 1925, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) has been committed to the values of Social Democracy, promoting freedom, justice, and solidarity around the world.

The FES Lebanon office, established in 1966, is one of the foundation’s oldest in the region. Remarkably, it continued operating throughout the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990), supporting projects that fostered a culture of social democracy, strengthened labor rights, and contributed to the development of inclusive labor market policies.

Early on, FES Lebanon relied on the then-civil and non-confessional nature of the trade union movement to organize activities that united trade unionists from different regions. These initiatives encouraged a focus on common national interests and indirectly supported inter-confessional dialogue—a critical element in building tolerance and peace.

Post-War Contributions

In the post-war reconstruction period, FES Lebanon played an active role in supporting the rebuilding of state institutions. The foundation advocated for the re-launch of municipal elections and provided strategic support to key ministries. While continuing its core work on social justice, democratization, and internal peace, FES expanded its focus in response to global milestones such as the Fourth UN World Conference on Women (Beijing, 1995). This led to increased engagement in promoting women’s rights and political participation.

Recognizing the central importance of inter-confessional relations in Lebanon, FES initiated a range of activities in the 2000s aimed at fostering mutual understanding and societal cohesion.

Our Work Today

Today, FES Lebanon collaborates with a strong network of civil society organizations, think tanks, media professionals, academic institutions, state actors, political stakeholders, social movements, and legal experts.

Together, we are committed to advancing:

• Social and Economic Justice
• Democracy and the Rule of Law
• Gender and Generational Justice
• Inter-Societal and Regional Dialogue

Using inclusive and participatory approaches, we organize:

• Workshops and training programs
• Knowledge production and policy research
• Public awareness and advocacy campaigns
• Strategic dialogue platforms for national and regional cooperation