SHiFT Social Innovation Hub

SHiFT- Social Innovation Hub has initially started its operations from Qobbeh, Tripoli in economic revival in its post-conflict neighborhoods into prosperous, peaceful, and cohesive communities. SHiFT now operates in North Lebanon and aspires to be operating at the national level to deliver its vision and mission across the nation.

SHiFT specializes in supporting individuals and small businesses to grow and develop through services such as, but not limited to, business development training, job placement, mentoring, coaching, life skills, vocational training and business incubation. Being one of the only NGOs active in Qobbeh, a former conflict frontline, SHiFT is building bridges between the local communities by providing a safe and neutral space for people to meet, work and learn together.

SHiFT now has 6 main programs that especially target persons from post-conflict/vulnerable areas. We strive to create opportunities for persons who due to different reasons are vulnerable, for example, youth who due to economic marginalisation face limited opportunities, persons whose ability to work is affected by disability and women who face challenges to secure sustainable livelihoods due to gender-based constraints. 

The programs are:   

• Tatweer program: supporting businesses to grow, by providing business development support and in-kind grants to existing and new nano, micro and small businesses located in Tripoli, in addition to restoring access to economic opportunities to the affected NMSMEs following the Beirut blast Beirut. 
• Tamteen program: supporting the self-development of individuals to increase their chances of finding employment by providing training, coaching, mentoring and job placement services. 
• Tasaloh program: facilitating/incubating peace and reconciliation initiatives. SHiFT’s community engagement and peacebuilding component incubates and hosts several initiatives or committees that work for social cohesion and reconciliation in the area. 
• Tadamon program: Providing Mental Health support and addressing the protection needs of at-risk individuals through implementing different Community-Based Psycho-Social Support (CBPSS) activities.
• Taaleem Program: This program provides education services to children who have dropped out of school and school support classes.
• SHADDA - Media Lab: Shadda Media Lab is a platform that serves as both a media outlet and a shared workspace for media producers in Lebanon. The lab's mission is to promote peace and positivity by creating and disseminating content that is informative, entertaining, and grounded in reality.

In addition SHiFT has 2 main Social Enterprises/labs:

• Shadda Media Lab - a platform that serves as both a media outlet and a shared workspace for media producers in Lebanon. The lab's mission is to promote peace and positivity by creating and disseminating content that is informative, entertaining, and grounded in reality.

• Al Khan is a social enterprise by SHiFT- Social Innovation Hub aimed at producing hand-made sustainable products by communities. The enterprise currently consists of three labs: the sewing lab, the kitchen lab, and the carpentry lab. Each lab is dedicated to providing artisans with the necessary tools and resources to create high-quality, eco-friendly local products. Through these labs, Al Khan supports sustainable practices within the community following technical and detailed training of individuals.

• The Digital Lab - a technology hub designed to support participants in the SHiFT program during their digital training. This space is fully equipped and ready for use by those seeking to develop their digital skills. In addition to serving as a training space, the Digital Lab also offers computer services to the community. This allows individuals to learn, attend online classes, and work online in a supportive and well-equipped environment. 

SHiFT also offers these spaces for rent to other organisations, in addition to the 10 training/meeting rooms of different sizes that can be rented as co-working spaces or for meetings, training and events.