Cooperatives as Agents of Resilience: National Roundtable under Tarik Akhdar Initiative
Beirut, Lebanon – July 2, 2025
Under the Tarik Akhdar initiative, funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Fair Trade Lebanon hosted a national roundtable at the Institut Français in Beirut. The event brought together cooperative members, representatives of public institutions, and sustainability stakeholders from across the country to explore the pivotal role of cooperatives in building a more sustainable future.
Centered on the theme of “Cooperatives as Agents of Resilience,” the discussions tackled urgent challenges facing Lebanon’s cooperative sector, and how local actors can drive meaningful, long-term change in agriculture and food systems. They key topics included:
- Financial resilience, including gaps, risks and strategies for sustainable growth
- Agroecological survival pathways and the need to adapt farming practices to Lebanon’s environmental reality
- Scaling models for cooperatives, rooted in local knowledge and equity
The event fostered honest dialogue, and among the voices shaping the conversation was Gloria Abouzeid, Director General of the General Directorate of Cooperatives, who emphasized the role of cooperatives in empowering farmers economically and socially to drive local development. Alia Farhat of Al Majmoua also underscored the importance of sustainable financing as the backbone for cooperative success.
The day ended on a hopeful note as three exemplary cooperatives received financial support for their leadership in ecological agriculture and local community empowerment: Al Khalil Foundation in Hasbaya, Al Imad Cooperative in Hariss, South Lebanon, and Qaouzah Cooperative in South Lebanon.
These awards represent a tangible investment in the future of Lebanon’s agroecology, and reaffirms the belief that true resilience being in communities, and that cooperatives are uniquely positioned to lead the way.
