Lebanon Humanitarian and Development NGOs Forum
Budget
€318,699
EP Access
0
accredited persons
Staff
10
4.75 FTE
EU Grants
None
Mission & Goals
The Lebanon Humanitarian and Development NGOs Forum (LHDF) is a national network of local NGOs working to strengthen coordination, representation, and collective action across the humanitarian and development sectors in Lebanon. Its core goal is to amplify the voice of local actors by ensuring their meaningful participation in decision-making at national and global levels. LHDF advances localization, promotes equitable partnerships, and advocates for increased, direct, and flexible funding to local organizations. Through its coordination platforms and area-based approaches, LHDF facilitates information sharing, joint analysis, and collective advocacy, ensuring field realities inform national responses. It also supports members in strengthening capacities and engaging with donors and UN agencies, acting as a bridge between local actors and global processes.
EU Legislative Interests
The Lebanon Humanitarian and Development NGOs Forum (LHDF) engages with European Union policies and legislative frameworks related to humanitarian aid, development cooperation, and localization. LHDF particularly follows and contributes to discussions linked to the EU Humanitarian Aid Regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96), the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI–Global Europe), and the EU Humanitarian Action Policy framework. The Forum also engages with EU policy priorities under the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid and the European Consensus on Development, especially regarding localization, accountability to affected populations, and partnerships with local civil society. In addition, LHDF contributes to dialogue around EU funding mechanisms such as DG ECHO humanitarian funding instruments and the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) external action budgets, advocating for increased direct, flexible, and multi-year funding to local and national NGOs. LHDF’s engagement focuses on ensuring that EU policies and funding approaches reflect field realities in Lebanon, promote equitable partnerships, strengthen local leadership, and enhance the effectiveness and accountability of humanitarian and development responses.
Communication Activities
LHDF conducts a range of communication and advocacy activities related to EU humanitarian and development policies, with a focus on localization, funding, and coordination. These include participation in international conferences and policy dialogues such as the Brussels Conferences on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region, engagement with EU institutions (including the European Parliament, DG ECHO, and EU Member States), and contributions to global platforms such as the Grand Bargain and NEAR Network processes. LHDF regularly produces and disseminates position papers, policy briefs, and advocacy statements reflecting the perspectives of local NGOs in Lebanon. It also organizes national consultations, workshops, and coordination meetings to consolidate field-based evidence and inform policy discussions. Through these activities, LHDF ensures that EU policy debates are informed by operational realities, promotes accountability to affected populations, and advocates for more inclusive and effective humanitarian and development responses.
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
The Lebanon Humanitarian and Development NGOs Forum (LHDF) is an independent national network and does not hold formal institutional membership in international federations. However, it actively collaborates and engages with a range of regional and global networks, coordination platforms, and policy initiatives. LHDF is closely associated with and contributes to: The NEAR Network, including through the Localization Lab and National Reference Group (NRG) processes The International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), through engagement in regional and global humanitarian policy discussions The Grand Bargain, particularly through localization and National Reference Group engagement The Charter4Change, for which LHDF hosts and supports coordination functions at country level The Lebanon Humanitarian INGO Forum (LHIF), with whom LHDF coordinates on joint advocacy and humanitarian positioning The Working Group for People Affected by the Syrian Crisis (PASC), through joint advocacy and policy engagement LHDF also contributes to national multi-stakeholder platforms such as the Lebanon Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) Consultative Group, representing civil society and local NGOs in strategic dialogue. Through these affiliations and collaborations, LHDF supports collective advocacy, policy engagement, and system reform efforts at national, regional, and global levels, ensuring that the perspectives of Lebanese local NGOs are effectively represented.
Organisation Members
The Lebanon Humanitarian and Development NGOs Forum (LHDF) is composed of the following member organizations: ABAAD - Resource Centre for Gender Equality ALEF - Act for Human Rights ARC EN CIEL Ahlouna Akkar Network for Development Akkarouna Alawite Islamic Charity Association Amel Association Ana Aqra Association Association LRC Association Najdeh Association of Charity and Voluntary Convention in Lebanon Banin Charity Association Basmeh & Zeitooneh Bassma Association Berytech Foundation Bukra La2ilkom Caritas Lebanon Dar Al Amal Design for Communities Development for People and Nature Association Digital Opportunity Trust – Lebanon Dreams of Refugees Association Embrace Farah Social Foundation Himaya Daem Aataa Hemaya Lejami' Al-Mouhamashin Ibad El Rahman INSAN Association Defending Human Rights Imam Sadr Foundation Irshad & Islah Jafra for Relief and Youth Development Justice Without Frontiers Karagheusian Primary Healthcare Center Kayany Foundation Lebanese Alternative Learning Lebanese Center for Human Rights Lebanese League for Women in Business MADA MENA Organisation for Services, Advocacy, Integration and Capacity Building Makassed Philanthropic Islamic Association of Beirut Makhzoumi Foundation Marsa Martyr Cheikh Hassan Khaled Association Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) Migration Services and Development NAHNOO Nusaned Oum el Nour Red Oak Rene Moawad Foundation Restart Center SAWA for Development and Aid SHiFT – Social Innovation Hub SPHERE Building Tomorrow Skoun – Lebanese Addictions Center Society for Inclusion and Development in Communities Solidarity Association for Social and Cultural Development Taalouf Association Tabitha for Relief and Development Tafaol Teach For Lebanon The Community Organization for Development and Empowerment The Lebanese Association for Development The Lebanese Center for Palliative Care – Balsam The Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training The Social Welfare Institutions in Lebanon – Dar Al Aytam Al Islamiya Threads of Peace Triumphant Mercy UFBT – United for a Better Tomorrow URDA UTOPIA Association WILL Association Youth for Development Developmental Action Without Borders – Nabaa Fair Trade Lebanon Himaya ShareQ NGO Women Now for Development – Lebanon
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.