Mentoring for Stability: How Relationship-Based Support Helped Entrepreneurs in Lebanon Survive Crisis

Explore how mentoring supported refugee and Lebanese micro-entrepreneurs in one of Lebanon’s most turbulent periods—building confidence and keeping businesses alive.
  • Micro Entrepreneurs and Refugees, Social Entrepreneurs, Strengthening ecosystems and sectors, Women Empowerment
SANAD Lebanon

Project: SANAD Lebanon Micro-Entrepreneur Mentoring Programme

Location: Lebanon

Client: SANAD Fund for MSME (through the Technical Assistance Facility)

Years: 2019–2020

Country: Lebanon

Description

Delivered in partnership with the SANAD Fund for MSME, Al Majmoua, and Ibdaa, this 9-month mentoring programme supported 15 micro-entrepreneurs—both Lebanese nationals and refugees—through one-to-one mentoring with trained local mentors. Amid Lebanon’s overlapping political, economic, and public health crises, the programme adapted to deliver tailored, relationship-based support to foster resilience, inclusion, and business sustainability.

Objectives

  • Build the leadership and mentoring capabilities of local professionals
  • Provide personalised, trust-based support to underserved entrepreneurs
  • Strengthen the sustainability of micro-enterprises, contributing to local job retention
  • Support the social inclusion and emotional resilience of vulnerable participants

Approach

The Human Edge designed a responsive, high-touch mentoring programme grounded in trust, empathy and contextual awareness. Key components included:

  • Mentoring Awareness Sessions and a three-day kickstart workshop
  • Matching 15 mentors with 15 entrepreneurs
  • Ongoing check-ins, peer mentor calls and facilitated sessions
  • Adaptation of delivery (e.g., moving refresher sessions online due to COVID-19)
  • Circumstantial support to address emotional wellbeing and situational stress

Impact

Entrepreneur Development

  • 100% of entrepreneurs said mentoring helped them think more positively during crisis
  • 89% reported a positive impact on their personal lives
  • 100% reported profits; 50% saw at least a 10% turnover increase
  • 83% reported growth in client base
  • 75% of mentees were still running micro-businesses at programme end
  • 100% planned to stay in touch with their mentor

Mentor Development

  • 100% found the programme beneficial
  • Mentors reported growth in emotional intelligence, adaptability and support skills
  • The programme helped mentors develop context-specific strategies to support others

Broader Effects

  • Mentoring enabled participants to navigate uncertainty, social integration and anxiety
  • Support was not only technical but relational—offering hope, connection and motivation
  • Despite Lebanon’s volatility, micro-businesses were stabilised and given a forward path

Key Takeaways

  • Mentoring offers more than advice: In crisis, it becomes an anchor of hope, belonging and direction.
  • Relationship-based design works: One-to-one support proved essential for emotional safety and sustained business continuity.
  • Adapting to context is essential: Flexibility and empathy in delivery allowed the programme to remain relevant and effective during unprecedented times.
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