Between 24 January and 23 February 2026, Business Consultancy and Training Services (BCTS) Lebanon organized a series of stakeholder consultations as part of the EmpoweerNEET project, funded by the European Union through the Interreg NEXT MED Programme. The consultations brought together several organizations working with youth and women across Lebanon to discuss the main challenges facing individuals classified as NEETs (Not in Employment, Education, or Training).
Representatives from organizations active in youth empowerment, women’s economic participation, and community development shared insights on key barriers to employment. Among the most important challenges highlighted were the need for market-relevant skills, limited links between training and job opportunities, lack of mentoring and follow-up mechanisms, transportation barriers, and persistent gender-related constraints.
The outcomes of these consultations will contribute to shaping the next stages of the EmpoweerNEET project in Lebanon. Planned activities will focus on developing labor-market-oriented training programmes in areas such as digital skills, green economy opportunities, and vocational competencies, while also strengthening pathways to employment and entrepreneurship through mentorship, employer engagement, and business support.
Through this collaborative approach with civil society organisations, the project aims to support more inclusive training systems and create sustainable economic opportunities for youth and women across Lebanon.
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