Social studies

USAID and Palladium: Microfinance Demand Survey

September 5, 2017

Palladium and USAID kick started the support the Livelihoods and Inclusive Finance Expansion (LIFE) project in Lebanon. The aim of the project is to economically empower the unbanked, low-income, and underserved micro clientele ad simultaneously link vulnerable entrepreneurs with micro-finance institutions who will provide them with customized business management training, technical know-how, mentoring, and basic business development skills. The aim of the project is to also to strengthen the capacity of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and the Lebanese Microfinance Association (LMA) so that they can increase their range of products and services and expand their reach of borrowers to include microenterprises with an emphasis on higher-risk, conflict affected areas, including new, unbanked, and existing microenterprises, and low-income women-headed households. In order to gain a better understanding of entrepreneurship in Lebanon and to assist the Central Bank, in understanding the microenterprise landscape, InfoPro was commissioned to conduct a National Market Demand Survey among the general population and micro-enterprises. The aim of the survey was to profile micro-entrepreneurs and potential micro-entrepreneurs, identify the financial services they currently utilize, their demand for additional financial services, and how they are distributed across the various Lebanese governorates / Mohafazat. The findings of the survey helped InfoPro forecast the potential market value for micro-finance institutions among both the general population and micro-enterprises. It also helped reveal the areas that should be concentrated on. InfoPro interviewed 2,000 households and 1,200 micro-enterprises nationwide.Read more

UNICEF: End Violence Against Children

May 5, 2017

A study for UNICEF to assess caregivers’ and children’s understanding of childhood and violence against children and what can be done for improvement. The project is part of the END Violence initiative. Methodology: 42 focus group discussions with children and caregivers involving Lebanese, Syrians, and Palestinians.
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UNICEF: Sport and Humanitarian Assistance Project (SAHA)

March 30, 2017

A study for UNICEF to better understand the needs of Syrian refugees and host communities to whom it is providing assistance and to monitor improvements in social cohesion amongst adolescents and youth. It is part of The Sports and Humanitarian Assistance (SAHA) project involving Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian children aged 11-18 years and youth leaders aged between 18-25 years. It took place in Mount Lebanon, Tripoli, Akkar, Saida, and Tyre. The objective of SAHA was to bring children from different nationalities together to help ease the tensions between them and ensure social cohesion. Football was used as a tool to develop their social skills as well as their talent. Methodology: 36 focus groups equally divided between pre and post project.
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UNICEF: Third-party monitoring – Healthy Camp Monitoring Tool (HCMT)

March 3, 2017

A study for UNICEF for the Healthy Camp Monitoring Tool (HCMT) to support its implementing partners to better measure the impact of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) intervention. Methodology: Conduct 110 monthly field visits, a total of 1,320 visits per year, to Syrian refugee Informal Tented Settlements to assess the WASH and Health conditions of Syrian refugees. In each of the visited sites, InfoPro measured the impact of the WASH intervention by assessing the following: Hygiene behavior change at the site level, Use of the wash facilities by the community, Access of communities to safe drinking water, Knowledge of the communities on preventing water borne diseases.
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UNICEF: Third Party Monitoring of Polio Vaccination

September 13, 2016

A study for UNICEF to monitor the vaccination process for Polio undertaken by the Ministry of Public Health to cover 600,000 children under under-five years of age. During that campaign, children also received vaccines against measles and rubella as well as vitamin A which strengthened their immune systems. Lebanese and Syrian refugees were covered. Methodology:
Visits to 73 settlements and carried-out in-process monitoring during the immunization campaign, and monitors visited settlements to check vaccination status of children based on filling pre-defined checklist and provide an independent evaluation of quality based on finding missed children and reasons for non-vaccination.
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UNICEF: Third Party Monitoring Service – Syrian refugees

April 8, 2016

Third Party Monitoring for UNICEF to assess partners’ adherence to the proper methods in handling the Syrian refugee crisis, ensuring their following the scope of work, and evaluating the actual reach of resources allocated to the refugees to beneficiaries. Audit of 50 UNICEF partners and NGOs. More than 4,000 site visits nationwide.
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UNICEF: Situational Analysis Survey

January 1, 2016

A study for UNICEF to conduct a Situational Analysis Survey among children and adolescents in order to assess their main concerns with regards to being healthy, safe, happy, and able to learn and be a productive member of society. The study also aimed at understanding their key social, interpersonal and physical elements as well as their feelings of well-being and inclusion in Lebanon. Methodology: 16 focus groups with Lebanese and Syrian children and adolescents whose aged ranged between seven and 17.
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USAID and MSI: School Assessment Tests

December 17, 2015

Baseline and end line surveys for Management Systems International and USAID to conduct the EGRA Assessment Test among school students and measure the impact of the project on student reading performance. 9,800 students and 920 teachers were assessed.
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CHF: Workforce Gap Analysis

July 14, 2015

A survey to assess the labor market in general and across a select number of sub-sectors was commissioned by CHF Lebanon. Supply and demand of skills, job availability and labor supply were assessed, and mismatches identified. The study also assessed the challenges that youths are facing in gaining employment and how to prepare them for the labor market. SWOT analysis of all sub-sectors under study and proposal for a medium to long term course of action to be followed. Methodology: Desk research, focus groups with youths, a survey with a representative sample of private sector companies, in-depth interviews with recruitment agencies, technical and vocational institutes, and economic experts.
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UNICEF: Perception of Breast Feeding and Immunization

July 10, 2015

A study for UNICEF to assess the community perception towards Infant and Young Children Breast Feeding (IYCF) and the community perception towards Routine Immunization (RI). Methodology: Focus group discussions with Lebanese and Non-Lebanese mothers residing in Beirut and Mount Lebanon.
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UNICEF: Feedback from beneficiaries of the Immunization program

July 10, 2015

A study for UNICEF to assess the situation and needs of children under the age of five, the routine immunization service provided to them in different centers, the effectiveness and quality of the vaccination, as well as the parents’ recommendations and suggestions for improving the service to better suit their children’s needs. Methodology: Focus group discussions in various areas of Lebanon.
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UNICEF: Third Party Monitor for Winter Campaign

November 25, 2014

Study for UNICEF to field monitor and evaluate the quality of the winter clothing kits, problems with the sizes distributed, parents satisfaction with the distribution process, and children’s satisfaction with the items provided, Under the ‘Winterization Campaign’ undertaken by UNICEF. The study allowed immediate action to be taken to improve the campaign and to make long-term improvement in future campaigns. Methodology: 168 field visits.
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Schools Mapping and Assessment

March 24, 2014

Assess for the LORE Foundation the education sector in Lebanon and identify current gaps and opportunities and provide a well-rounded picture of the educational sector and its requirements. Identify dropout levels, profiles, and reasons. Study the number of teachers available across cycles, teacher availability and training. Assess school infrastructure and equipment. Identify and map all NGOs with programs for school dropouts. Methodology: mapping existing reports and identifying a general framework of the education system and the weaknesses or gaps. Interview a large representative sample of public, private, and private for free schools.
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UNDP: Household Assessment of e-Waste

June 9, 2021

A household statistical assessment of e-waste in Lebanon to gain a better understanding of the sector and the necessary measures required to improve its status. Methodology: Nationwide household CATI.

UNICEF: Wellbeing Baseline Survey

August 28, 2019

A study for UNICEF Basic Literacy and Numeracy (BLN and ABLN) programs targeting children and adolescents. The main objective is to gain an understanding of the following: The knowledge, attitudes and social norms of caregivers with regards to children’s rights, early marriage, discipline methods and child labor and Understanding how the following impacts children’s wellbeing. Methodology: 1,000 Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews with caregivers of children and youth enrolled in the BLN and ABLN programs.
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UNICEF: Assessment of the National Youth Tracer Program

July 1, 2019

An analysis for UNICEF to evaluate the medium-term impact of the skills training program of previously undertaken quantitative survey entailing data cleaning and processing, tabulation, and syntax and scripts. The exercise was part of the LCO Adolescent & Youth program targeted the poorest Lebanese and non-Lebanese youth and adolescents aged 15 years and above.
Data review was followed by ten focus groups to validate and gain an in-depth understanding of the results of the quantitative survey.

UNICEF: Data Analysis for VASYR and VARON

January 1, 2019

A study for UNICEF to analyze VASYR and VARON programs. Production of data outputs and indicators, Quality Assurance and data cleaning. Data processing using SPSS syntaxes and tabulations
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UNDP CEDRO: Industry Potential and Job Creation in Renewable Energy

May 7, 2018

A study for UNDP’s CEDRO program to examine the status of renewable energy projects, the situation of the industrial sector with regards to the manufacturing, assembly, and import of renewable energy systems (RES), and the physical and economic feasibility of renewable energy systems that can be implemented locally. Methodology: Review available documentation on renewable energy, nationally and internationally. In-depth interviews with stakeholders to identify current projects in the pipeline, support available, and the potential for renewable energy. Mapping players involved in the assembly, manufacturing, and import of renewable energy systems. Companies that import and usually also assemble RES, as well as RES manufacturers were interviewed to assess the supply and demand of renewable energy systems, the availability or lack of labor with know-how in renewable energy, and the available infrastructure among other issues. A review of all renewable energy systems and their economic feasibility was carried out followed by an assessment of the current situation versus requirements across all renewable energy facets.
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World Bank: Constraints of Women in Accessing Jobs

February 28, 2018

A diagnostic for the World Bank identifying main employment constraints faced by women in accessing jobs or becoming professionally active. The objective is to support the government by designing a National Jobs Creation Program. Perspectives of women and men were taken, including employers. Methodology: 32 focus groups and ten in-depth interviews.
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World Bank: Women Entrepreneurship in Formal Private Sector: A Gender Focused Investment Climate Assessment (ICA)

January 15, 2018

The aim of the study for the World Bank was to assess women’s entrepreneurship in Lebanon and the obstacles faced by women working in the private sector. The study assessed gender differences regarding firm level productivity and simultaneously provided information on company structure, finances, and labor. Methodology: In-depth interviews with the general managers of female owned businesses.Read more

USAID and Social Impact: Economic Growth Assessment Study

January 1, 2018

An Economic Growth Assessment (EGA) study for Social Impact, USAID’s monitoring and program management arm. Assess economic sectors that USAID have supported as part of their program and emerging sectors which might be the focus of USAID in the future. The economic sectors assessed under the mandate were Agriculture / Agri-Food, Tourism and hospitality, Engineering/Construction, Finance, ICT, Environment, Renewable Energy, and Health. All initiatives undertaken by USAID were reviewed and compiled economic data pertinent to the economic sectors under study. Key Informant Interviews with 80 firms working in the targeted sectors and provided USAID with a report across each sector highlighting opportunities for economic growth and specific interventions to be undertaken.
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EU and GOPA: Promotion of social dialogue

January 1, 2018

A study for GOPA Consultants under the ‘Promotion of Social Dialogue in Lebanon’ project, part of the EU funded ‘Promotion of Social Justice’ program. The program is implemented by the Ministry of Labor (MOL), its Labor Inspection Department, the National Employment Office (NEO), and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The main purpose of the project is building the capacity of MOL, and Lebanese Social Partners and Civil Society to be promoters of social dialogue. Two sectors with high potential for growth and unmet demand with regards to a qualified workforce were therefore selected. In-depth interviews were conducted with 290 firms belonging to those two sectors.
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Category: Social studies

USAID and Palladium: Microfinance Demand Survey

UNICEF: End Violence Against Children

UNICEF: Sport and Humanitarian Assistance Project (SAHA)

UNICEF: Third-party monitoring – Healthy Camp Monitoring Tool (HCMT)

UNICEF: Third Party Monitoring of Polio Vaccination

UNICEF: Third Party Monitoring Service – Syrian refugees

UNICEF: Situational Analysis Survey

USAID and MSI: School Assessment Tests

CHF: Workforce Gap Analysis

UNICEF: Perception of Breast Feeding and Immunization

UNICEF: Feedback from beneficiaries of the Immunization program

UNICEF: Third Party Monitor for Winter Campaign

Schools Mapping and Assessment

UNDP: Household Assessment of e-Waste

UNICEF: Wellbeing Baseline Survey

UNICEF: Assessment of the National Youth Tracer Program

UNICEF: Data Analysis for VASYR and VARON

UNDP CEDRO: Industry Potential and Job Creation in Renewable Energy

World Bank: Constraints of Women in Accessing Jobs

World Bank: Women Entrepreneurship in Formal Private Sector: A Gender Focused Investment Climate Assessment (ICA)

USAID and Social Impact: Economic Growth Assessment Study

EU and GOPA: Promotion of social dialogue

Portfolio Projects