Lebanon's economic and political upheavals have taken a deep toll on residents and communities, raising pressing concerns from food access and insecurity to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Faced with these issues and more, Lebanon’s Debbane Agri Holding Co. has stepped up, with guidance from the UN Global Compact.

Using the company’s engagement with Global Compact Country Network Lebanon, in particular the SDG Ambition Accelerator, Debbane Agri launched an integrated crop management program, an initiative to empower women and a competition to encourage young talent.

“The idea behind these initiatives is the belief that the road to success is paved with collective effort,” said Theresa El Hachem, Marketing Manager at Debbane Agri.

“Our work with the UN Global Compact Network Lebanon has opened doors to new mindsets and possibilities,” she said. “We are not just talking about sustainability and equality; we're living it every day.”

Its Integrated Crop Management (ICM) program, inaugurated in March 2024 to promote consumer health, sustainability and export growth, utilized resources and knowledge from Debbane Agri’s participation in the Climate Change Accelerator of the Global Compact. The company’s involvement reinforced the urgent need to safeguard land and water, it said.

The ICM initiative has brought together farmers from diverse regions of Lebanon, providing training in essential areas such as soil health optimization, water resource management, crop diversity and selection, pest control strategies and sustainable agricultural practices.

By equipping farmers with these skills and knowledge, the ICM program seeks to ensure the well-being of consumers through healthier produce, contribute to the long-term sustainability of agricultural practices and enhance export capabilities by meeting international standards and demands.

Participation in the Target Gender Equality Accelerator of the Global Compact, meanwhile, gave rise in October 2023 to Debbane Agri’s VisionShe initiative, aimed at empowering women within the organization of 188 employees and extending support to marginalized women farmers.

“VisionShe is a supportive community that’s broadened my network and sparked fresh perspectives,” said Maryse Bou Zeid, an agricultural engineer and marketing specialist at Debbane Agri. 

“The well-being initiatives have been especially impactful, allowing me to prioritize my mental and physical health,” she said. “The appreciation events, on the other hand, have also been a significant morale booster, reminding me of my worth and contribution.”

VisionShe was designed to give female employees, who comprise one fifth of the workforce, a platform for mentorship, workshops and support. 

“This newfound confidence and sense of empowerment have extended beyond the workplace and into my personal life,” Zeid added. “I've found my voice getting stronger, and I'm now more vocal about advocating for what I believe in, both professionally and personally.”

According to Deenah Fakhoury, Executive Director of Global Compact Country Network Lebanon: “VisionShe is a stepping stone to put in motion concrete actions to respond to the challenges women face in business.”

Also stemming from participation in the SDG Ambition Accelerator and its ongoing exchanges with the UN Global Compact, Debbane Agri launched a Bright Concept Competition to nurture young talent and encourage sustainability concepts among agriculture students.

Debbane Agri participated as well in an SDG Brain Lab held by the UN Global Compact, a programme designed to equip university students with the knowledge and skills to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

It involved more than two dozen students who are compiling a report focusing on the company’s policies and procedures to support women's rights in the workplace, featuring recommendations for improvement.

Overall, Debbane Agri said it has used the SDG Ambition Accelerator to set clear, measurable goals and specific targets to develop strategy and drive progress, furthering its commitments to close its gender gap and restore forestland. Debbane Agri joined the UN Global Compact in September 2022.

“Over the last few years, we have put a very determined effort to focus on sustainability as an intrinsic part of everything we do,” said Chairman Fady Debbane.