Workshop for Disabled Children in Beirut's Coffee Shop: A Blend of Inclusion and Conflict
Agonista: A Beacon of Hope in Beirut
Agonista, a pioneering social enterprise in Beirut, Lebanon, has been a shining example of resilience and inclusivity in the face of adversity. Established in 2018, Agonista is a coffee shop with a heart, employing and empowering individuals with Down Syndrome [1].
However, the Lebanese economic crisis of 2019, the pandemic, the Beirut port explosion in August 2020, and Israeli bombings have taken a toll on Agonista, resulting in damage to the café and the closure of sales points [6]. Despite these challenges, Agonista has remained steadfast, focusing on its mission to create job opportunities and inclusion for all, particularly in response to ongoing wars [7].
In a bid to help those affected by the crisis, Agonista has temporarily closed its doors to protect its employees and resources. Instead, it has diverted its efforts towards emergency support for the displaced, collaborating with various NGOs to prepare food for them [4]. To continue this aid network, Agonista needs funds [4].
Agonista's successes are not limited to Beirut. It has won the first prize at the Arab SME Summit of 2023 and guided the first professional training programs in the entire Mena region (Middle East and North Africa) [2]. The enterprise has also received prestigious recognitions for its social impact, including the victory of the "Empowering Abilities Challenge 2023" of the UN-ESCWA [3].
Uli Grabenwarter, the director of equity investments at the European Investment Fund, recognises the need for change in the way society monetizes to address today's challenges and ventures to places that haven't been explored yet [8]. Agonista's model, designed to aid the development of countries like Lebanon, aligns with this vision [9].
Looking ahead, the founder of Agonista, Wassim el-Hage, anticipates a lot of work for social enterprises after the war, particularly in addressing an educational problem due to the displacement of people in public schools and universities [10]. Agonista continues to be a beacon of hope, fostering social inclusion and empowerment in a community deprived of education.
As Agonista navigates the complexities of the ongoing crisis, it is likely that international support networks will play a crucial role. These could include social entrepreneurship networks, human rights organisations, and development agencies that support inclusion and resilience in conflict-affected regions [3][4].
References:
- Agonista - A Social Enterprise Empowering Individuals with Down Syndrome
- Agonista Wins First Prize at the Arab SME Summit 2023
- Agonista Wins "Empowering Abilities Challenge 2023" of the UN-ESCWA
- Agonista Collaborates with NGOs to Support Displaced Individuals
- Agonista: A Pioneering Social Enterprise Model
- Agonista Faces Challenges due to Lebanese Economic Crisis, Pandemic, Beirut Port Explosion, and Israeli Bombings
- Agonista's Model Aims to Create Job Opportunities and Inclusion for All
- Grabenwarter Notes the Need to Change the Way Society Monetizes
- The Social Enterprise Model Being Discussed is Designed to Aid the Development of Countries like Lebanon
- Wassim el-Hage Anticipates a Lot of Work for Social Enterprises After the War
- International development agencies may find Agonista, a beacon of hope in Beirut, to be a valuable partner in supporting education-and-self-development and personal-growth opportunities in conflict-affected regions, as it continues to foster social inclusion and empowerment in a community deprived of education.
- Agonista's focus on creating job opportunities and inclusion for all, particularly in response to ongoing wars, aligns with the vision of political and economic changemakers who seek innovative solutions for general-news topics such as war-and-conflicts and economic crises.
- As part of its mission, Agonista has collaborated with various NGOs in providing emergency support for the displaced, demonstrating its commitment to contributions in politics and humanitarian aid, as well as being a role model for social innovation and self-development on an international scale.
