Better chances for local and refugee students in Lebanon through an EU-funded project

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The DAAD has launched a follow up initiative to the successful HOPES programme (Higher and Further Education Opportunities and Perspectives for Syrians). The new HOPES-LEB initiative sponsored by the European Union (EU) with 8.4 million Euro aims at enabling vulnerable members of the host community and Syrian refugees in Lebanon to pursue higher education and acquire additional skills.

Bonn, 20 April 2020

Lebanon is with approximately one million registered individuals the country in the world with the highest per capita ratio of refugees. In order to improve the educational opportunities of young Lebanese and refugees from Syria, the DAAD together with Campus France and Nuffic continues the HOPES programme, under implementation since 2016. To this end, through the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis, the EU Madad Fund 8.4 million Euro have been allocated to the DAAD and its partners. Until 2023 the follow up initiative HOPES- LEB will provide young Lebanese and refugees from Syria with opportunities to acquire higher education and further qualification, thus increasing their chances for a better future.

“By providing scholarships and tailor-made educational offers in Lebanon we want to considerably improve the situation of young people in the country”, says DAAD’s president Prof. Dr Joybrato Mukherjee, and adds: “We know that better educational opportunities can turn resignation into courage and that an assumed lack of opportunities can transfer into success. HOPES-LEB is preparing for the future. Investment in education will facilitate the chance for post-conflict reconstruction and recovery in Syria and help to consolidate the situation in Lebanon.”

HOPES-LEB is a continuation of the HOPES project under implementation since April 2016 in 5 countries of the region which will end soon. The project allocated 620 full scholarships to refugees from Syria and members of the host communities, supported 32 small projects by local institutions, facilitated more than 8,000 English courses and arranged numerous events, including regional conferences in Amman in Beirut. Like in the previous HOPES project the DAAD cooperates in HOPES-LEB with European partner institutions, namely Campus France and Nuffic from the Netherlands. The aim of this joint effort is to bundle the expertise and capacities of the participating institutions and to set an example for European cooperation.

HOPES-LEB
HOPES-LEB follows a comprehensive approach which covers the entire educational pathway for higher education, from preparation for university studies to the access to the labour market. One of the main activities is the provision of scholarships for vulnerable young Lebanese and refugees from Syria, managed by DAAD. The intended 1,000 scholarships comprise a broad spectrum of offers ranging from preparation courses for high school students to regular university studies (bachelor and master) and further qualification courses for graduates. The second component, implemented by Nuffic, offers support for the implementation of small projects by local institutions, aiming among others at improving the students’ chances on the labour market after graduation. Campus France is in charge of communication and networking and will facilitate the project’s coordination with beneficiaries, partners and central stakeholders, including the creation of synergies with other initiatives sponsored by the Madad Fund in Iraq and Jordan.

Corona in Lebanon
The expiring HOPES project as the whole HE system in Lebanon has been severely affected by the Covid 19 outbreak and also the follow up initiative will have to struggle with the effects of the pandemic. But it is an encouraging sign that many scholarship holders and alumni are actively engaged in providing support to those being in need. Together with a couple of fellow campaigners Ibrahim who obtained last year his MA in history has initiated the formation of a guarding and sterilization unit in the village his living in. The volunteers – Lebanese and Syrians alike - raise funds for the support of the poorest, sterilize streets and public places, raise awareness among the population and take preventive medical measures. So far very successful as the village and the surrounding region have been spared by the pandemic until now. Ibrahim is convinced, “we – Syrians and Lebanese – will win against this virus united”.

The EU Madad Fund
HOPES LEBANON is part of a comprehensive set of measures initiated and financed by the EU. The EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian crisis, the EU Madad Fund, was established in 2014 in order to allow for a coordinated response to the Syrian crisis and to provide Syrian refugees and host communities in the countries neighbouring Syria with the needed support. Up to now, the Madad Fund has mobilised more than 2 billion Euro for projects in the spheres of education, livelihood, health, protection and water management.