Opening and community building
A brave space where people feel safe enough to be honest and present before any content begins.
برامجنا
Ourprograms
Four pillars, and the programs that put them to work. Each one starts from what a community says it needs.
01 · What we do
عملنا
Four pillars
Every pillar starts from priorities that communities define themselves.
01
LGBTQIA+ leadership and economic participation
We build the community's power to lead, earn and shape decisions, so people can change the systems they are part of, not just enter them.
02
Capacity and community development
We equip communities and marginalized groups with the skills and support to drive their own development.
03
Applied research and knowledge production
Community-based, policy-relevant research, made with the communities it concerns and readable by the people who use it.
04
Institutional strengthening
Advisory and technical support that helps local organizations build governance, systems and real capacity instead of dependency.
02 · Programs
برامجنا
Programs
Each program starts from what a community says it needs, and runs with the organizations that know the field best.
- 01 Akoonأكون A humanitarian fellowship for LGBTQIA+ refugees in Lebanon
-
02 More soon New programs are in development.
03 · Programs · Akoon
أكون
Akoon · I am
The individual inside the collective we are. A humanitarian fellowship for LGBTQIA+ refugees in Lebanon.
WhoAges 19 to 40
Duration7 months
Modules12
Cohort15 to 20 fellows
LanguageArabic
No background in human rights needed, no prior knowledge of the topics, no academic level required. Every module is co-facilitated with an organization that works in that field.
12
modules, each co-facilitated
7
months, from opening to graduation
15–20
fellows in each cohort
19–40
years old, no degree needed
Equal access to knowledge, advocacy tools and protection.
Akoon gives LGBTQIA+ refugees in Lebanon the same access to rights knowledge, health information, legal tools and digital safety that others take for granted. Over seven months, one cohort moves from a brave shared space, through rights, health, legal and digital modules, to planning and leading its own community action.
Specialist organizations co-facilitate each module as equal partners, not guest speakers, and stay on as referral pathways after it ends. Alumni come back as co-facilitators for the next cohort.
Akoon · The curriculum
12 modules
اثنا عشر محوراً
Human rights and legal literacy
The language, logic and architecture of human rights, so fellows can use it, not just know it.
Documenting violations
Safe, ethical documentation usable by courts, journalists, advocacy groups and UN bodies.
SOGIESC, rights and inclusion
A shared, non-judgmental understanding of SOGIESC, tied to rights, protection and dignity.
Digital safety and security
Tools installed and habits built before anyone leaves the room.
Sexual health and HIV
Accurate, shame-free sexual health education, with links to prevention, testing and treatment.
Gender-affirming care and the law
Clear information on care options and the legal landscape trans and gender-diverse people navigate.
Substance use and harm reduction
A public health and rights lens that reduces stigma and connects people to services.
Asylum and detention rights
How the asylum process works, your rights if detained, and legal support in Arabic.
Freedom of religion and belief
A universal right: to change religion, to have none, and to practice freely.
Ethical AI use
How AI works, who it harms, and how to use it safely.
Climate and environmental justice
Why environmental damage hits marginalized communities hardest, and what communities can do.
Akoon · Program goal
المجتمعات تقود · ونحن نساند
Communities lead.
We support.
A generation of informed, connected and protected human rights defenders from Lebanon's most marginalized communities, acting with safety, knowledge and solidarity.
03 · Akoon · Timeline
مسار البرنامج
Seven months
From a safe shared space to community action the fellows lead themselves.
- Month 101
Foundation
Opening and community building, before any content begins.
- Months 2 to 302
Core knowledge
Rights, documentation, identity, digital safety and health.
- Months 4 to 503
Protection and systems navigation
Legal rights, asylum and detention, and the services people can use.
- Month 5 · in parallel04
Climate justice
Why environmental damage hits marginalized communities hardest.
- Month 605
Action planning
Fellows design their own community initiatives.
- Month 706
Action, reflection and graduation
Initiatives run, the cohort reflects, fellows graduate.
04 · Get in touch
معاً سنكون
Together we will be
There is a seat held open. Partner with us, fund the work, or join the next Akoon cohort.
[email protected]