Case Study on education continuity in fragile settings. Safeguarding Youth skills and stability through short‑term work opportunities in crisis‑hit Lebanon
Lebanon’s overlapping crises include economic collapse, mass displacement, and the 2024 conflict. These have severely disrupted education, training, and employment systems. For Palestine refugee youth, already facing legal restrictions and deep marginalisation, the shutdown of schools, training centres, and local services meant not only a loss of income, but a loss of learning pathways and prospects.
In this context, UNRWA adapted its EU‑funded youth livelihoods project to ensure continuity of skills development during the emergency. By creating 560 short‑term work placements for Palestine refugee youth (PRL and PRS), the initiative offered a rare bridge between disrupted education and real‑world learning. Placements were organised with partner NGOs, health clinics, civil defence teams, and community organisations. Many of these were directly involved in the emergency response.
Despite displacement, insecurity, and the suspension of operations in parts of the country, the project maintained a strong focus on learning-by-doing. Consequently, youth gained practical experience, built confidence, and strengthened employability at a time when formal training systems were closed.
Exit surveys showed that participants viewed the programme as income support, but also as a vital opportunity to continue developing skills and contribute to their communities during wartime.
By combining flexible implementation, strong local partnerships, and careful protection measures, the initiative helped sustain learning continuity for vulnerable youth — turning short-term employment into a pathway for resilience, dignity, and future opportunities.
Case submitted by UNRWA Lebanon.
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