Skill-building for Unemployed Youth in Lebanon

Dear Nawaya supporter,

Before anything else: thank you.

Because of supporters like you, The Nawaya Network's Employment Hub has helped more than 1,250 young people in Lebanon build real careers since 2020. Nearly 70% of our graduates go on to find work, in a country where most graduates struggle to get employed. 

But today, our program is at risk. Funding cuts mean we must raise $45,000 to keep the Employment Hub running this year. Thanks to some very generous donors, we've already raised almost $27,000. We need $18,000 more. If we can't close that gap, our program will be in jeopardy. 

Here is where you come in, and why one day matters more than any other.

This Wednesday, July 15 is GlobalGiving's July Bonus Day, the single most powerful day of the year to give. From 10am EDT on July 15 until 10am EDT on July 16 (5pm in Beirut), a tax-deductible gift of $100 or more helps us earn a share of GlobalGiving's $150,000 matching fund. The more we raise in those 24 hours, the bigger our share. Put simply: your generosity on that one day stretches further than at any other moment all year.

Two simple ways to help right now:

1. Set a reminder to donate here this Wednesday, July 15 so the window doesn't pass you by!

2. Or give today if you'd rather not wait, every gift helps, but your support still goes furthest inside the July 15 window.  

Donations are processed securely through GlobalGiving and are tax-deductible in the US and UK.

You can learn more about some youth whose lives have been impacted by this program below:

At 21, Nour did everything right. She earned a computer science degree from the Lebanese American University and set out to find work. She sent around 75 applications. The answer was almost always the same: a rejection, or silence. "I was either getting rejected or ghosted," she told us. And she was carrying far more than a job search. Like so many young people here, Nour had lost her home to the war, and lost people she loved.

Then she joined Employment Hub. Her coach helped her rebuild the very same CV, prepare for interviews, and steady herself. The same CV that had been ignored 75 times landed her a job as a software engineer with a UK-based health-tech company. The three words she uses for the program: empowering, supportive, transformative.

And Nour isn't the only one. 

Maya, a teacher from the Bekaa, lost her job and broke down into tears in her very first session, certain no one would ever hire her again. Her coach kept her applying. Weeks later she landed a teaching post in Beirut, and today she is financially independent and loving her new job. 

Jad finished the program just as the war closed in. Rather than pause, he kept learning, earned certifications in career counselling, and now runs free workshops for other young people as uncertain as he once was.

Karim, 24 and displaced from the South, studied law because it felt like the safe choice. Through the Employment Hub, he taught himself graphic design from scratch, and weeks after finishing he landed his first paid design job. He's now a freelance designer and tutor.

(Some names above have been changed to protect their privacy.)

Your support on July 15th will get us closer to reaching our goal, making sure another 100 youth get the same opportunity to change the course of their lives.

With gratitude,

In a year filled with war, uncertainty, and ongoing economic challenges in Lebanon, your support has been a steady source of stability and opportunity for Nawaya and in turn the young people we serve.

Thanks to your trust and commitment, The Nawaya Network has been able to not only maintain its work but also enhance its impact. We have strengthened our programs, invested in our teams, and consistently supported youth facing an increasingly complex reality.

Since 2012, Nawaya has helped 22,077 individuals across Lebanon. Each number represents a young person striving to build a future, often against significant odds. Your partnership has made this journey achievable.

In 2025 alone, thousands of youth gained the technical skills, professional tools, and confidence needed to take meaningful steps forward. This progress is not by chance. It results from deliberate investment in programs aimed at creating long-term, real change.

As we look toward 2026, our commitment remains clear: to keep growing and meeting the changing needs of Lebanon’s youth. With your ongoing partnership, Nawaya will continue to be a reliable platform for empowerment, strength, and opportunity in the future.

2025 Programmatic Impact Highlights

In 2025, Nawaya’s programs worked together to create clear, practical pathways for young people to learn, earn, and grow whether by starting businesses, finding jobs, or building important technical skills.

Entrepreneurship as a Path to Income and Financial Independence:
Through our Entrepreneurship program, 206 youth received training and 22 projects were incubated, leading to the launch and support of 66 businesses. These enterprises are already generating income, with total revenue of $51,826. This shows how early support can lead to real economic involvement.

In addition, our Entrepreneurship Readiness & Soft Skills program expanded access widely, reaching 903 youth through a WhatsApp-based chatbot. With a 98% skills improvement rate and an 82% completion rate, the program demonstrated that accessible digital learning tools can produce meaningful results.

Unlocking Access to Employment Opportunities:
Our Employment Hub assisted 320 youth, with 61% being women, equipping them with the tools needed to navigate the job market with clarity and confidence. The program recorded a 62% employment rate, with 95% of those employed earning salaries in USD. This is an important sign of economic stability in today’s context in Lebanon.

Likewise, the NOMU Al Ghurair program continued to strengthen employability pathways, training 781 youth in 2024 and 2025. Participants expressed high satisfaction with career guidance and skills development, emphasizing the need to combine technical training with personal and professional direction.

Building Competitive Technical Talent
Through SE Factory, 508 aspiring coders were trained in specialized areas like Full Stack Web Development and UX Design. Graduates now earn an average monthly income of $1,263, reflecting strong market alignment and a growing demand for quality tech talent.

Supporting Small Businesses and Local Economies
Through the Action for Rural Economic Development (ARED) program, 167 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) received grants to expand their operations. Currently, 92% of these businesses are generating revenue, collectively exceeding $1 million, contributing to local economic resilience and job creation.

At the same time, the SILA program is strengthening Lebanon’s construction sector by linking youth to opportunities and businesses to resources. In 2025, the program reached 305 youth and registered 693 SMEs on the Naaam platform, enhancing access and improving coordination in the sector.

Stories of Impact

Turning Adversity into Connection: Zahraa 
Displaced by war, 25-year-old Zahraa turned a deeply personal experience into a source of healing for others. Through the GIL Entrepreneurship program, she created Lamsa, a card game aimed at fostering emotional expression and connection. With the right business structure and professional mental health guidance, Zahraa transformed her idea into a successful enterprise that quickly gained market traction.

Bridging the Technical Gap: Hiba
As a Computer Science graduate, Hiba realized that academic knowledge alone was insufficient to compete in today’s tech market. Through SE Factory’s Full Stack program, she advanced her skills in JavaScript and React while integrating AI tools into her work. With essential soft skills training, Hiba now confidently navigates competitive interviews as a job-ready developer.

Mastering the Professional Narrative: Manar
Despite holding a Master’s degree in Economics, Manar initially found it difficult to market herself. Through the NOMU Al Ghurair program, she learned to turn her academic experience into a compelling professional story while earning targeted certifications. With newfound clarity and confidence, she secured a role in Executive Operations at a prominent multinational agency, MCN.

This impact reflects more than just program delivery. It shows ongoing investment in people, systems, and solutions that help young individuals move forward with confidence.

We are truly thankful for your continued trust and partnership in making this work possible. Your support not only keeps us running; it creates real, lasting change in the lives of young people across Lebanon.

As we look ahead, we invite you to share Nawaya’s work within your networks. Growing this community of support is vital to reaching more youth eager to learn, grow, and shape their futures.

In 2026, we renew our commitment to providing young people with invaluable skills, meaningful opportunities, and the resilience to navigate a constantly changing world. With your continued partnership, and the support of those you involved in this journey, we will keep turning potential into progress.