Enhancing Social Stability and Cohesion to Reduce Conflict Risks in the MENA Region

Objective

The project has the overall objective to provide a broader understanding of conflict dynamics in Jordan and Lebanon and improve international organizations and EU programming on social cohesion and stability reducing the risks of internal social conflict outbreak in these countries. The action aims at assessing social cohesion in Jordan and social stability in Lebanon, by exploring internal conflict dynamics and identifying similar patterns and systematic differences. Moreover, it has the goal to identify concrete measures to increase social cohesion and stability in Lebanon and Jordan to reduce the risk of internal social conflict. Given the current state of affairs in the MENA region, the relevance and urgency of this study are paramount in terms of both timing and scope. This project is intended to provide crucial insights pertaining to social cohesion and stability to the EU for its external endeavors in the Middle East, with a particular emphasis on Jordan and Lebanon. This research not only addresses the existing gap in literature but also explores two case studies from both a top-down and bottom-up approach. It will employ a mixed-method methodology, with a significant focus on Participatory Action Research to ensure the inclusion of key stakeholder viewpoints in the research findings.