The People’s Budget of the Ministry of Social Affairs

At a time when Lebanon continues to grapple with economic hardship, institutional challenges, and declining public trust in state institutions. In this context, the Ministry of Social Affairs, in partnership with the Basil Fuleihan Institute of Finance and with the support of UNICEF, has launched Lebanon’s first-ever Citizen Budget dedicated to a government ministry under the title “The People’s Budget from the Ministry of the People.”

The initiative represents a significant milestone in Lebanon’s ongoing efforts to modernize public financial management, improve fiscal transparency, and encourage greater citizen participation in government decision-making. More importantly, it reflects an evolving philosophy that places people, not bureaucracy, at the center of public policy.

Making public finance accessible to every citizen

The Citizen Budget seeks to bridge the gap between complex government financial documents and ordinary citizens by presenting budget information in a simplified, accessible, and transparent format. Rather than limiting financial information to experts, the publication explains where public resources originate, how they are distributed, and the priorities guiding government spending.

This initiative aligns with Lebanon’s broader public financial management reform agenda, which aims to improve fiscal governance and strengthen accountability across state institutions. By making budget information easier to understand, the Ministry hopes to empower citizens to engage more actively in public affairs, evaluate government priorities, and better understand the direct impact of public spending on their daily lives.

The launch also marks an important institutional precedent. While Lebanon has published national Citizen Budgets since 2018, this is the first time such a publication has been produced specifically for an individual ministry, creating a potential model for broader adoption across government. It is worth noting that Lebanon has been among the first countries in the Arab region to adopt the Citizen Budget approach since 2018, contributing to improvements in the country’s performance in international fiscal transparency assessments.

Transforming the ministry into an engine of social development

Speaking during the launch, Minister of Social Affairs Haneen Sayed highlighted that the title “The People’s Budget from the Ministry of the People” reflects the Ministry’s broader mission of protecting vulnerable communities, investing in human development, and expanding opportunities for all Lebanese.

According to the Minister, the Ministry’s 2026 budget represents a strategic transformation instead of a mere financial plan. Rather than functioning solely as an institution that delivers social assistance, the Ministry aims to evolve into a Ministry of Social Development, where financial resources are directed toward long-term investments in people and communities.

This shift recognizes that sustainable social protection extends beyond emergency aid. It includes strengthening social services, promoting economic inclusion, supporting local development, and creating conditions that allow vulnerable populations to become more resilient and self-reliant.

A budget focused on social impact

The Ministry’s proposed 2026 budget amounts to $181.7 million, representing an increase of nearly 40% compared to the previous year. The distribution of funding reflects a balanced approach to social protection.

Approximately $67 million has been allocated to direct social assistance programs, while $88 million will finance social services, including programs supporting vulnerable families, children, and other disadvantaged groups. An additional $23.7 million has been earmarked for economic inclusion and local development initiatives designed to strengthen livelihoods and encourage long-term economic resilience.

Perhaps most notable is the Ministry’s commitment to directing nearly all available resources toward citizens. According to the budget, 98.5% of expenditures are allocated directly to social programs and services, while administrative expenses account for only around 2%. Such a distribution demonstrates an effort to maximize the social return of public spending by minimizing bureaucratic costs.

Strengthening national ownership of social protection

Among the most significant announcements made during the launch was the Lebanese Government’s decision to finance the AMAN cash assistance program directly through the national budget for the first time.

Since its establishment, AMAN has relied heavily on international donor support to provide financial assistance to vulnerable households. The decision to integrate the program into the state budget represents an important policy shift toward greater national ownership of social protection.

While international partnerships remain essential, direct government financing signals a commitment to making social protection a permanent responsibility of the Lebanese state rather than a temporary response dependent on external assistance. This move also contributes to strengthening the sustainability and institutionalization of social safety nets.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has already submitted its proposed 2027 budget, requesting an increase to $300 million, including $150 million dedicated to nationally financing the AMAN program. The proposal also seeks additional funding for the National Disability Allowance, with the long-term objective of progressively expanding coverage to people with disabilities across all age groups.

Therefore, the launch of Lebanon’s first ministerial Citizen Budget represents an important step toward more transparent, accountable, and citizen-centered governance. By simplifying complex financial information and making it accessible to the public, the Ministry of Social Affairs has demonstrated that budgeting is not merely an accounting exercise but a reflection of national priorities and public values.

At a time when rebuilding trust between citizens and state institutions remains one of Lebanon’s greatest challenges, initiatives such as “The People’s Budget from the Ministry of the People” offer an effective and serious pathway toward greater openness and accountability. If replicated across other government institutions, this model could become an important pillar of Lebanon’s broader governance reforms.