Based on a larger study of three rural areas in Lebanon, Lina S. Madah highlights the key challenges facing necessity-driven entrepreneurs (NDEs) as they confront the deepening economic crisis gripping the nation. Rather than focusing on macroeconomic problems like inflation, unemployment, and poverty, this article looks at targeted policies that are critical to NDEs and the rural economy more generally.
The multiple crises—the financial meltdown, the Covid pandemic, and the Beirut port explosion—that have struck Lebanon over the past few years have left small businesses and necessity-driven entrepreneurs (NDEs)struggling for survival, with little or no government assistance. Many NDEs were established originally to cope with difficult economic conditions, and in light of the successive crises, these businesses are struggling to survive. This report is part of a larger project that explores the challenges NDEs in Lebanon’s rural areas are facing, and to offer policy options for local governments to support them.
The multiple crises—the financial meltdown, the Covid pandemic, and the port explosion—that have struck Lebanon over the past few years have left small businesses and necessity-driven entrepreneurs (NDEs)struggling for survival, with little or no government assistance. Many NDEs were established originally to cope with difficult economic conditions, and in light of the successive crises, these businesses are struggling to survive. This report is part of a larger project that explores the challenges NDEs in Lebanon’s rural areas are facing, and to offer policy options for local governments to support them.