Generation of Innovation Leaders Program (GIL)

Project: Generation of Innovation Leaders Program (GIL)
Country: Lebanon
Partner: UNICEF

Since the onset of the civil war in Syria in 2011, Lebanon has hosted a disproportionately large number of refugees. With an ongoing influx of Palestinian refugees as well, Lebanon’s total refugee population now amounts to more than 1.5 million – one quarter of the total population. Inequity and vulnerabilities are exacerbated within refugee communities. Among Syrian refugees, 74% of people aged 15 and older lack legal residency and 60% of households live under the extreme poverty line. These multi-dimensional disadvantages impact children’s lives in the long-term, denying them access to the education needed to join an evolving workforce.

UNICEF’s programming in Lebanon focuses on children and young people in the second decade of life, to address this skills deficit. Through our Generation of Innovation Leaders (GIL) program, we equip the most vulnerable young people in Lebanon with the skills they need to innovate and solve the greatest problems facing their communities, while also generating income. 

Project Description

This project will support over 12’000 youth in the Nahr al-Bared Palestinian Camp, the rural communities of Hrar and Wadi in Akkar, and the Baalbak region close to the Syrian border. The project is done with the local partners Injaz, Nawaya Network, and Dot Lebanon. 

The GIL journey for youth is delivered in three stages:

Discovery

Youth are introduced to STEM topics, such as robotics, at events hosted at Innovation Labs or externally. Workshops, tutorials, and contact with industry leaders allow participants to discover new skills and areas of interest.

Skills Development

Once participants have identified potential interests, subject-specific training is offered for free at the Innovation Labs. Participants move beyond the theoretical, learning to apply their new skills and knowledge to real-world scenarios.

Access to Market & Resources

With the support of GIL mentors and partners, participants turn their new skills and ideas into income-generating activities. This can be through launching a new business or finding employment using the skills gained from GIL.