2nd Floor, Eid Center, Alshamal Street
Tripoli 1300
Lebanon
- Democracy and community development
- Environment/Sustainable development
- Gender
- Human rights
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- International/Cultural relations
- Media
- Research
- Youth and education
The Alawite Islamic Charity Association, known as AICA, is a local NGO established in 1950 in North Lebanon, Tripoli, under the decree No. 4500/1950, operating since then under several divisions and institutions. AICA’s programs and activities aim to mitigate all forms of discrimination towards civil rights access. AICA established partnerships with I/NGOs, CSOs, and ministries over a holistic approach of services from education, health, livelihood, food security, social stability, emergency response, protection, and advocacy across North, Akkar and Beirut. In 2022, AICA could serve, provide, and support 69,711 services for vulnerable beneficiaries, 804 of whom are PWSN, in order to reduce their socio-economic burdens in line with the sector’s SOPs and national outlines. AICA is an active member of the mentioned sectors working groups, part of many local networks and committees, as well as of local forums advocating over various topics, from localization to women-led initiatives, GBV, and youth empowerment.
MISSION
AICA develops an integrated global participatory approach targeting vulnerable communities based on Rights and Needs through community development, advocacy, and peacebuilding programs, as well as humanitarian response action.
MAIN GOAL
AICA intends to encourage community development, by a humanitarian emergency response action, development and benevolence, through access to Rights, Advocacy and Peace-building programs.
AICA ensures actions via programs or/and services such as Alawite religious institutions; health care services; social awareness; religious, cultural, and educational services; protection; awareness, community campaign, legal process; economic empowerment; Psycho-social Support, Sport, art as well as different community initiatives.
VALUES: We trade violent behavior for dialogue, hate for love, and despair for hope.
Based on Imam Ali (AS) values, then with referring to Human Rights Declaration Charter and Social Work basis, AICA Chosen basic values related to Development in general, and specifically for its intervention, such as:
Collaboration Giving Humanity
Human Dignity Social Justice Partnership
Sustainability Active Citizenship Peace
Volunteering Localization Modernization
AICA’s programs and activities aim to mitigate all forms of discrimination towards civil rights access: AICA currently runs long term programs aggregated below:
▪ Health Sector: Alzahraa Medical Center (AMC) a Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) established since 2008, providing an average of 7000 services /month for patients from different areas equally (neither based on racism, nationality, religion, gender, or age) within the North governorate. AMC doctors, health care staff, and workers are onboarded in safe, effective premises providing proper performance and quality services.
▪ Food Security Sector: House of Wisdom Community Center (HOWCK) has been operating as a community kitchen since 2015. The kitchen can sell up to 800 Oriental and 500 Occidental hot meals per day. HOWCK incubates "House of Subsistence (HOS)” a peacebuilding income generating initiative aiming to engage civil clash widowed females from Bab Al Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen. These females support HOWCK daily work.
▪ Social Stability Sector: established in 2015, Social Multi-Services Community Center (MSCC) located between Bab Al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen providing peacebuilding, health, education, basic assistance, and protection services/support. It is a safe space facilitating and moderating social exchange promoting healthy relations and exchanges among several groups and social categories from local communities, without any discrimination providing all kinds of activities whether awareness sessions, general culture, vocational rehabilitation and/or psychosocial support which are conducted by AICA employees and/or I/NGOs collaboration.
▪ Livelihood Sector (VT/TVET): Livelihood and socioeconomic empowerment (with special focus on women and community led projects) through AICA’s Netizen’s Digital Lab - A center equipped with 20 high-end laptops serving as a lab for soft and digital skills trainings; Established 2021 and collaborating with ICDL (www.icdl.org) providing internationally certificates for 35 digital modules. It is a one stop-service of Technology and Analytics; offering world-transforming services enabling new opportunities for vulnerable marginalized youth.
▪ Protection Sector: a protection team from social workers and PSS facilitators providing PSS/CBPSS/Recreational PSS through Support groups’ discussions /Sport/ Arts/ Skills/ Workshops as well as a community case management to transform conflicts into Peace. AICA also onboards legal mediators (funded by AICA) to support in a few cases and refer others to active actors as per the referral pathways.
▪ Education Sector: Formal Education through Al Doha Scientific School (ADSS) located in Fnaideq, Akkar since 2014 with the potential of having 750 students per shift. 2023 MEHE permission in Non-Formal Education (NFE) in the following modules: CB-ECE, BLN, YBLN, Retention Support, Recreation, Awareness raising and outreach, Parental Engagement, Cash for Education and School Feeding.
▪ Emergency Response Sector: established in 2016, First Responder Team (FRT) in partnership with the Lebanese Red Cross- Disaster& Risk Reduction Unit (DRR), acts as a risk response community initiative. The team is one of few to remain operating till the current date.
▪ Advocacy: an active member in all working groups and various local networks and forums like but not limited to PSEA National Network, Protection Taskforce, LHDF, PEER Network, Tashbik…advocating over diverse topics from Localization to women led initiatives, GBV, and youth empowerment
AICA can play a vital role in the Anna Lindh Foundation's network in Lebanon by actively supporting initiatives that promote inclusive dialogue and combat societal polarization. AICA's extensive experience in advocating for marginalized communities, coupled with its presence in Tripoli, makes it a valuable partner for fostering understanding and unity within the region. AICA's diverse programs, including healthcare, education, and social stability initiatives, demonstrate its commitment to addressing societal challenges and nurturing resilient communities. Active participation in local networks and advocacy for women-led initiatives and youth empowerment further showcases AICA's proactive role in promoting positive societal change. By collaborating with the Anna Lindh Foundation, AICA aims to contribute to a more empathetic and cohesive society in Lebanon and across the Mediterranean.
AICA is eager to join the ALF Network to expand its reach and impact in promoting intercultural dialogue and fostering societal resilience. With our longstanding commitment to advocating for marginalized communities and promoting civil rights access, we recognize the critical importance of building inclusive and empathetic societies. By collaborating with the ALF Network, we aim to amplify our efforts and contribute to a broader, collective initiative that aligns with our mission and values. Joining the ALF Network will enable us to leverage valuable resources, share best practices, and foster meaningful partnerships, ultimately enhancing our capacity to drive positive social change and address the pressing challenges of societal mistrust and polarization.