Lebanons National Youth Card

For Social Inclusion, Economic Integration, and Civic Participation

The Concept
The National Youth Card, is an integrated electronic card, providing youth all over Lebanon with entitlements and benefits that can facilitate their access to social, economic and civic opportunities. This project is led by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in partnership with UNESCO and UNICEF and in collaboration Beyond Reform && Development for the purpose of: Developing a feasible and innovative action plan for a National Youth Card. The project employed a comprehensive and participatory research methodology using: 1. Desk Research: literature, benchmarking with other countries. 2. Over 40 interviews with key stakeholders from the private sector, NGOs, academia 3. Meetings with ministries representatives and municipal councilors.

Rationale
The National Youth Card came about as a recommendation by youth during consultations on Youth Policies by Massar; as it can help overcome the following challenges: Rising unemployment rates. High immigration among graduates. Increase in school-drop outs. Exclusion from local and national policy-making. Sectarian tensions among youth. Low levels of civic engagement. Limited access to goods and services.
Source: Results of focus group with youth representatives.

The feasibility study proposed a digitally integrated card that can be made easily available and with low production cost!

Proposed Services by the Youth Card

Social Services: transportation, library access, housing, health, sports facilities Economic Services: education, banking, entrepreneurship, career orientation, IT Civic Participation Services: community service, NGOs, campaigns, human rights

Options for Management

Establishing the Youth Card can be through any of the following three management scenarios: 1. A Directorate within the Ministry of Youth and Sports 2. A Public Autonomous Agency 3. A Public Interest NGO 4. A Private Business Corporation

The research and feasibility study was conducted by

The National Youth Card as a Public Interest NGO

Supply Chain
Board of Directors comprised of representatives from: youth organizations, UN agencies, MoYS, academia, private sector

Distribution Channels
Distributors: Municipa l Unions Public Schools Universities Online por tal Liban-Post Social Development Centers

Services provided by: Public Institutions Private Organizations Civil Society Public-Private Corporations

Types of Services: Social Inclusion Services Economic Integration Services Civic Participation Services

Organiz -ation

Youth accessibility: Youth from 16-26 Cities and regions Schools and universities Low and high income Access to technology Males and females

Executive Team to manage: Relations with stakeholders, Marketing and distribution, Internal operations and logistics, Finances and sustainability.
It is recommended that the Youth Card will be managed through a partnership between public, private, and civil societies organizations and to be established as a Public Interest NGO.

Next Steps
The project is at its final stages which include: Finalizing the details of the feasibility study and business model. Building consensus around the most suitable model for implementation. Setting a launching plan with the Ministry of Youth & Sports. Establishing the executing entity.

Get Involved
YOU can support the creation of a National Youth Card by: Advocating for the Card as a basic right for youth Providing feedback on the priorities and needs of youth in Lebanon. Offering your time and expertise.
Contact details: info@beyondrd.com and (Tel) +96171 950952