VEGA’s Lebanon Assessment for Growth and Opportunity (LAGO)

Implementing Organization:
Citizen's Development Corps 

VEGA’s Lebanon Assessment for Growth and Opportunity (LAGO) was a short-term program designed to assist USAID/Lebanon in developing a new strategic objective, Economic Equality in Utility Investment Transferred into Yields (EQUITY). VEGA utilized the extensive technical expertise of our Volunteer Advisors, in-country staff, and Advisory Board members to explore the structural and social means by which Lebanon might achieve accelerated economic recovery, improved living standards and education, increased political stability and municipal governance capacity, improved environmental practices, and strengthened institutions. In developing the EQUITY Strategic Objective, VEGA incorporated two core values, good governance and community participation, while consistently focusing on the effects of decentralization and capacity building to ensure effective municipal governance that will promote growth and stability.

Program Objective

In order to develop USAID/Lebanon’s EQUITY Strategic Objective, four main tasks were envisioned: 1) rapid start-up; 2) community planning assessments; 3) leverage of other programs and resources; and 4) development and documentation of proposed EQUITY strategy. The four tasks were implemented through the following program activities:

• Develop caza selection criteria, identify cazas for participation, and design city survey and needs assessment.
• Identify and interview stakeholders, conduct rapid socio-economic assessments, and create a directory of NGOs and LGSOs.
• Examine potential links to other USAID programs, examine potential links to other donor programs, and develop models of collaboration.
• Examine issues and possible solutions, develop action plan and intermediate results for EQUITY, and create draft and final strategy.

Use of Volunteers

VEGA assembled a team of industry experts, municipal governance specialists, and local consultants who worked together to produce a comprehensive and useful strategy for USAID. Field-based staff in Lebanon consisted of a Project Lead, a USAID Strategy Expert, a Team Leader, four technical specialists, and two local consultants. VEGA also convened an Advisory Board to offer guidance throughout the duration of the project. The volunteer-based Advisory Board was comprised of senior advisors all of which have significant experience with USAID strategic objectives and operations, strategic management and with Lebanon itself.

Additional Information

Lebanon Assessment for Growth and Opportunity Program Press Release»

Lebanon Assessment for Growth and Opportunity Program»