Supporting Doms in Akkar in collaboration with MRG
Akkar, Lebanon – In a determined effort to uplift and support Lebanon’s marginalized Dom community, a local organization has put recent grant funding to strategic use, ensuring sustainable operations, building staff expertise, and enhancing visibility through a newly developed website. The Dom, often living on the fringes of society, face persistent discrimination and limited access to resources due to their undocumented status. Through a mix of staffing support, training, facility improvements, and digital outreach, this grant has equipped the organization to better advocate for and serve the community.
A significant portion of the grant funded the salaries of two field office staff in Akkar, ensuring the organization could maintain uninterrupted, essential support to the Dom community throughout the project. This stable presence on the ground allowed for continuous engagement with the community, which is essential to building trust and providing timely assistance.
But that’s not all. The grant also supported comprehensive training for the staff, equipping them with essential skills for managing projects, securing future funding, and effectively advocating for the Dom. Training areas included project management, advocacy, and PMEAL (Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning), helping the team implement programs more effectively and ensuring greater accountability and impact.
“The advocacy training was especially significant,” shared one staff member. “The Dom community faces a unique blend of challenges and prejudice. This training gives us tools to advocate not only for fair treatment but for broader societal understanding.”
Another critical training component was in PSEAH (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment), which reinforces the organization’s commitment to safe and ethical interactions with vulnerable populations, ensuring staff can uphold the highest standards of conduct.
Recognizing the importance of safe, dedicated spaces for outreach, the organization also invested in equipping its Akkar field office and training rooms, creating a welcoming environment where community members can access support and resources. Notably, the facility has become a secure space where Dom women can speak openly with female counselors—a crucial aspect for a group that often lacks safe channels for self-expression.
Finally, to encourage transparency and visibility, the organization launched a new website (www.lebanese-developers.com) to connect with funders, donors, and the public. Following a previous website hack, this platform now serves as a stable, accessible point for the organization to share updates, project insights, and advocate for the Dom community’s needs.
“This new site is a bridge between the work we do and the communities we serve,” noted a project leader. “It’s not just about visibility; it’s about accountability to our funders, showing impact, and bringing the story of the Dom community to the forefront.”
The strategic use of this grant underscores how targeted investments can bring sustainable change, especially for marginalized communities. With strengthened operational foundations, trained staff, and a renewed digital presence, the organization is well-equipped to continue its work supporting and advocating for the Dom in Akkar—a mission that goes far beyond charity to build a more inclusive society.