The UN Development Programme estimates that corruption costs Lebanon $5 billion a year, or nearly 10% of its gross domestic product. Corruption, coupled with flawed policies and a good governance deficit, has created a desperate need for independent Lebanese civil society to engage in policymaking and push for government accountability. Yet, no legal framework requires the government to consult with civil society, or the public, during policy development.
To address this, ICNL partnered with the Lebanese Oil and Gas Initiative (LOGI), a civil society organization promoting transparent management of oil and gas resources, in drafting a model public consultations law.
Public understanding of and support for the model law is critical for its passage. With ICNL’s support, LOGI organized a series of online dialogues, consultations, and webinars on the importance of public participation in policy development and pushed for stronger legal protections.
Simultaneously, LOGI launched a robust digital campaign using engaging graphics and short videos with notable Lebanese experts and activists that reached a diverse audience of almost 500,000 people.