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Creation of the France-Lebanon Endowment Fund

An initiative of Franco-Lebanese professionals from the French-Lebanese Chamber of Commerce
& the French-lebanese Association of IT Professionals

The Lebanese population has been facing a serious, multifaceted crisis for several months. This is at the same time financial, economic, monetary, humanitarian, social and health. Since August 4, 2020, the consequences of the large-scale disaster caused by the explosion at the port of Beirut have been added.

This crisis came to light on October 17, 2019. From November 2019, actions intended to come to the aid of a hard-hit population began to be implemented by organizations or by members of the Lebanese diaspora (see boxes below).

Wishing to complete its economic vocation with a humanitarian and social commitment, the Franco-Lebanese Chamber of Commerce (CCFL), took the initiative to set up an endowment fund. This is an intervention tool that offers the advantage of giving donors, tax residents in France, the possibility of benefiting from a tax credit, excluding IFIs.

The CCFL wished to offer other Lebanese associations in France the possibility of joining her as co-founders. The Franco-Lebanese Association of IT Professionals (AFPI) responded positively to this proposal. This possibility remains open to one or two other organizations which express their intention and are co-opted by the board of directors, within six months of the creation of the fund.

The primary objective is to bring together the means that allow emergency intervention with people in distress. Aware of the need to ensure their actions have a lasting impact, the founders wished to broaden the purpose of the fund to include initiatives of general interest serving the common good.
The France-Lebanon Endowment Fund (FDFL) was established on August 1, 2020 (with the announcement published in the Official Journal on that date).

Forms of action to achieve the social object

In particular, and without being exhaustive, the fund may:

  • 0827F89B-347F-4C9E-BC60-EFA7E8CC8B41 to provide assistance for food-related or social purposes, either in kind or in cash.
  • 0827F89B-347F-4C9E-BC60-EFA7E8CC8B41 to help provide medicines, supplies, small medical equipment, or medical devices.
  • 0827F89B-347F-4C9E-BC60-EFA7E8CC8B41 to grant scholarships, honor loans, and guarantees to students.
  • 0827F89B-347F-4C9E-BC60-EFA7E8CC8B41 develop or provide vocational training programs for disadvantaged individuals in need of career retraining.
  • 0827F89B-347F-4C9E-BC60-EFA7E8CC8B41 support French-language education in Lebanon, in both religious and secular schools, including, where necessary, through digital access to training.
  • 0827F89B-347F-4C9E-BC60-EFA7E8CC8B41 support any cultural, scientific, or educational initiatives.
  • 0827F89B-347F-4C9E-BC60-EFA7E8CC8B41 promote Francophonie among the Lebanese community.
  • 0827F89B-347F-4C9E-BC60-EFA7E8CC8B41 promote Lebanese culture among the French community.
  • 0827F89B-347F-4C9E-BC60-EFA7E8CC8B41 participate in the preservation of heritage and the protection of the environment.
  • 0827F89B-347F-4C9E-BC60-EFA7E8CC8B41 fund studies or initiatives aimed at preserving endangered professions.
  • 0827F89B-347F-4C9E-BC60-EFA7E8CC8B41 provide advice or support to individuals seeking to start businesses and to companies looking to grow, in areas of general interest.
  • 0827F89B-347F-4C9E-BC60-EFA7E8CC8B41 promote education, Lebanon’s primary asset, by fostering the knowledge economy.
  • 0827F89B-347F-4C9E-BC60-EFA7E8CC8B41 promote the creation or development of companies whose activity is compatible with the purpose of the fund.

A Charter of Values

Alongside the drafting of the bylaws, a Charter of Values was developed. It sets out the principles that will guide the Fund’s actions, complemented by the commitments of its founders. It is based on four fundamental principles.

Solidarity

Through care and attentiveness toward others, to help maintain or restore independence, support social cohesion, and strengthen social bonds.

Knowledge

By prioritizing educational and cultural initiatives, to foster talents, promote cultural influence, strengthen relations between France and Lebanon, and preserve heritage achievements.

Personal fulfillment and economic and social development

Through support for employment and production.

Integrity

Through the diligent management of the common good.

The Governance

The FDFL is governed by a Board of Directors composed of three colleges, each comprising a maximum of five members.
The Board of Directors is composed as follows:

The founders' college

Mrs. Josiane Tamer, Treasurer, represents AFPI, and Mr. Camille El Hage, Director.

The college of partners

It is composed of the company Murex, represented by Mrs. Youmna Hélou, Secretary General, and Mr. Lois de Courtois, Director.

The college of qualified personalities

It includes the following members:

Society Friends

A Friends Association, a support and assistance body.

The Friends Association aims to mobilize goodwill and support around the France-Lebanon Endowment Fund, promote its actions to the public, identify and communicate to the Fund the needs of society and the projects arising from them, and suggest potential areas of action to the Board of Directors.