EU-Funded ENABLE Programme Trains 454 Entrepreneurs in Lebanon

The EU-funded ENABLE programme has trained 454 entrepreneurs in Lebanon and delivered financial education to another 300 beneficiaries, the International Labour Organization announced at a closing event in Beirut on 22 September 2026.

A further 55 entrepreneurs received in-kind grants alongside continued coaching to support the development and sustainability of their businesses, according to the ILO.

The International Labour Organization implemented the entrepreneurship component with funding from the European Union, in partnership with Lebanon's Ministry of Social Affairs and in collaboration with the Lebanese NGO Association d'Entraide Professionnelle (AEP) and Oxfam. The programme supports efforts to advance economic inclusion and expand livelihood and employment opportunities in Lebanon.

Participants received entrepreneurship and financial education, tailored coaching and mentoring, in-kind support and market access opportunities. The intervention targeted both aspiring and existing entrepreneurs seeking to strengthen their skills, develop their businesses and improve their access to markets.

The closing event in Beirut brought together government representatives, the European Union, implementing and development partners, trainers and participating entrepreneurs. A video screened during the event traced the entrepreneurs' journey from training and business development support to the practical application of acquired skills and engagement with markets.

Claire Courteille-Mulder, ILO Regional Deputy Director for Arab States, framed the results in human terms. "Behind every figure we presented today is a person - someone who had an idea, learned new skills, took a risk, confronted challenges, and worked hard to build a more secured livelihood. Your achievements are part of the programme's legacy. As we close this chapter, we leave behind a stronger entrepreneurship ecosystem: professional entrepreneurs, a pool of certified trainers, strengthened national systems, and above all, valuable evidence and lessons that will help shape the next phase of entrepreneurship support in Lebanon," she said.

Cyril Dewaleyne, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Lebanon, pointed to the broader economic context driving the programme. "The European Union is proud to support Lebanon's entrepreneurs, who face significant challenges, from limited access to finance to ongoing economic uncertainty. Despite these obstacles, microentrepreneurs are turning their skills into thriving businesses that support their families and communities. The ENABLE Programme has empowered 454 microentrepreneurs, providing essential tools and resources that foster a more inclusive and resilient Lebanese economy. Together, we are creating pathways to sustainable growth and prosperity," Dewaleyne said.

Lebanon's government signaled its intention to keep the initiative alive beyond the programme's formal close. Dr. Suhair El Ghali, representing the Ministry of Social Affairs, said: "We see the entrepreneurship component within ENABLE not simply as an intervention that has reached its conclusion, but as an experience we can learn from and build on. Looking ahead, we aim to sustain this support, expand the network of SIYB trainers within the Ministry, strengthen its presence in Social Development Centres, and further link it with economic inclusion programmes."

The event also showcased the network of local Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) trainers and master trainers developed in Lebanon through the support of various ILO programmes. Trainers and master trainers present shared their experiences and highlighted the importance of transferring knowledge and strengthening the capacities of national and local actors to deliver quality entrepreneurship development services.

Participating entrepreneurs shared first-hand accounts of their business journeys, describing how the training, coaching and other support provided through ENABLE helped them strengthen their entrepreneurship and financial management skills, develop their businesses and respond to challenges and market opportunities.

The event concluded with an exhibition of products and services from participating entrepreneurs, allowing them to engage directly with visitors, expand their networks and explore potential market linkages. Guests were also introduced to the ILO's SIYB programme and invited to access a catalogue featuring many of the supported microentrepreneurs and their products and services.

The completion of the entrepreneurship component marks an important milestone for ENABLE. With a certified trainer pool, strengthened national systems and documented lessons now in place, the programme's partners position the next phase of entrepreneurship support in Lebanon to build on an established delivery infrastructure rather than start from zero.