arcenciel is a Lebanese based non-profit organization established in 1985 during the Lebanese civil war. It was recognized as a public interest NGO in 1995 by Presidential Decree N7541.
With five core programs, being implemented at 12 centers across Lebanon, arcenciel’s main goal is to work with every person in need.
arcenciel aims to vigorously advance national policies in all the sectors in which it is active, while keeping a non-confessional and apolitical stance.
Adhering to the principles of sustainable development, arcenciel emphasizes the social and economic integration of marginalized people and communities back into society. It believes that every person, no matter the gravity of their handicap, is capable of overcoming their disability and contributing to the communities in which they live. arcenciel supports the diversity of society, and encourages the sustainability and conservation of natural resources in all aspects of its work.
In 1985, amidst the Lebanese civil war, five friends take action
to support the increasing number of people living with war-related disabilities in Lebanon.
Through an official publication by the Ministry of Interior, arcenciel receives the accreditation, created on 21-11-1985
The first physical therapy and medical consultation unit opens
in the Jisr el Wati center in Beirut.
As one of Lebanon’s first running Social Enterprise, the ceramics workshop begins to employ people with disabilities to create and sell hand-made ceramic products
Through vocational trainings and job searches, the placement bureau opens to help people with disabilities gain financial autonomy in Lebanon.
The program starts its own production factory for mobility equipment.
arcenciel and the Ministry of Social Affairs launch the “Rights and Access” national program – a legal body that grants social security coverage and legal rights to people living with disabilities in Lebanon.
The association is recognized as a public interest non-profit organization by the presidential decree number N7541
The youth program takes it’s first steps in Halba, Akkar, when a group of young people ask to use a gym and pool originally intended as a rehabilitation tool for people with disabilities. Inspired by the youth’s enthusiasm, arcenciel incubates a specific program “for and with the youth in Lebanon”.
The “Rights and Access” national program passes Bill 220. Amongst other things, the bill enables people with disabilities to be reimbursed for their mobility equipment and health treatments. It imposes a quota requiring companies to hire a minimum number of disabled people.
After trainings with Cirque du Monde, arcenciel’s youth clubs hone their circus skills and launch cirquenciel, Lebanon’s first social circus school. cirquenciel promotes intercultural dialogue and supports at-risk youth on through their life journey.
Launching its new program, arcenciel begins treating Potentially Infectious Healthcare Waste (PIHCW). The program directly protects Lebanon’s environment and people from waste-related health issues.
arcenciel opens the Auberge Maasser El Chouf, a guesthouse located in the stunning natural landscape of Lebanon’s Chouf region. A rejuvenating escape from city life, where guests enjoy stunning hikes, biking and nature activities within walking distance from the hotel.
In Taanayel, the youth program opens an ‘integration nursery’ and specialized classes for students under the age of 10 living with special needs. They are created in response to the area’s needs: no other infrastructure existed for children living with disabilities in the Bekaa region.
In Taanayel, the Ecolodge opens its doors as a traditional mud-house lodge constructed in the typical Bedouin style. Both conserving history and offering comfortable accommodations, the hotel provides a natural escape and learning experience to visitors.
arcenciel France is launched to empower, train and recruit young people on the functions of Social Entrepreneurship. The branch brings in foreign perspectives and opinions to in-country operations.
arcenciel begins handling and managing Domaine de Taanayel, a 560 acres plot of land that conserves local biodiversity and provides a small natural park for its worldwide visitors.
Work begins on recycling waste in Lebanon. After the success of the “Bouchons Roulants” project, arcenciel starts picking up plastic, cans and paper throughout the country and dropping them off at the sorting centers strategically located in every corner of Lebanon. Sorted recyclables are then sold to recycling companies.
arcenciel begins research to create the first biopesticide in the MENA region. Le Biop is specifically tailored to meet the specific needs of the Lebanese ecosystem and designed not to harm human beings or microorganisms.
In response to the environmental waste crisis that began summer of 2015, arcenciel publishes a manual on how municipalities can effectively manage their waste. arcenciel also trains, raises awareness and prepares municipalities to implement their own waste management centers.
arcenciel USA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was founded in January 2016 and is registered in the State of New York. arcenciel USA provides a bridge for US-based individuals, institutions, and corporations to support Lebanon’s most underprivileged and marginalized communities regar
In order to effectively contribute to the sustainable development of society, arcenciel acts in environmental, socio-cultural and economic fields.
The arcenciel strategy is built from the ground up: we start in the community, establish a social enterprise around social issues and pass national public policy.
In 30 years, arcenciel has built a culture around differences, new technologies and community building for people in difficulty.
arcenciel’s activities span the entire Lebanese territory, with centers spread throughout each region of the country.
arcenciel also extends its activity beyond Lebanon’s borders, sharing its expertise with other countries facing similar problems.
arcenciel has received several awards for its work towards sustainable development in a wide range of fields
Provision of mobility product and services, medical and paramedical consultation, social and communal support and porcelain items production.
Dairy Farming and products manufacturing, agricultural crop production, ecotourism site operation, recyclable waste management, post-harvest services for fruits and vegetables. {Domaine de Taanayel}
Management of social, health, environment, agriculture, ecotourism, employment, youth, culture, construction projects and centers {Relex).
2018 – arcenciel received, for the fourth time, the Ford Motor Company’s Conservation & Environmental Grant, for its bacterial inoculum capable of greatly enhancing and hastening the compost production process.
2018- The Institute of Political Science (ISP) at the Saint-Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), awarded arcenciel with the “Prix des droits de l’homme” at the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Declaration of human rights
2018 – arcenciel is the “Laureat du prix 2018 de la fondation CMA-CGM” for all its actions with vulnerable people, including disadvantaged children.
The foundation supported the upgrading of the specialized classes of the Taanayel center in 2015 and continued to seek the development of marginalized young people in Lebanon.
2018- Pierre Issa, one of arcenciel founders, received the Social Entrepreneurship Award during the Changemaker Festival!
The festival seeks to bridge the gap between youth, top decision makers, and leading corporations, to create partnerships that inspire action and deliver lasting and sustainable social change.
2016 – arcenciel received, for the second time, the Ford Motor Company’s Conservation & Environmental Grant, for its “Lebanese Conservation Volunteers” (LCV) initiative.
2015 – The Ghazal Foundation awarded arcenciel the “Prix de la Paix au Liban” for the organization’s apolitical and non-confessional promotion of peace in a challenging environment.
2015 – arcenciel was chosen as “Social Entrepreneur of the Year”. This coveted prize is awarded by the Schwab Foundation, the creators of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
2015 – The Spanish government honored Mr. Pierre Issa, co-founder of arcenciel, with the prestigious Commander of the Order of the Civil Merit. The Spanish Ambassador, Ms Milagros Hernando, personally bestowed the Commander of the Spanish Order of Merit upon Mr. Issa.
2015 – The General Director of the Dubai Municipality and the Executive Director of the United Nations Program UN HABITAT rewarded arcenciel with the Certificate of Best Practices for the environmental program initiative “Solidarity Based on the Network for Sustainable Management of Water”.
2015 – During the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Summit for the Middle East and North Africa, arcenciel won the “MENA CSR Excellence” prize in the Sustainable Environment category which took place May 19, 2015 in Dubai.
2014 – Mr. Pierre Issa, co-founder of arcenciel, accepted his award as Chevalier dans l’ordre de la Légion d’Honneur from M. Paoli, Ambassador of France to Lebanon, in a ceremony at the Domaine de Taanayel. The award, conferred by decree of the President of France, is the highest decoration granted by the French government.
2014 – arcenciel was awarded the “Wahdatouna khalasouna” (Our unity is our salvation) prize for its contribution to civil peace in Lebanon.
2014 – arcenciel received the award for “Best Idealistic NGOs (BINGO)” in the environmental sector
2014 – arcenciel received the Energy Globe National Lebanese Prize for its solidarity project in creating a waste recycling management network. This project was executed in partnership with Advantage Austria-Official Trade Promotion, at the Organization of the Republic of Austria.
2014 – arcenciel received the trophy “Waterfront Cities Commit” for its “Recycle for Solidarity” initiative, as part of the Rolling Caps project.
2014 – arcenciel received the 5th Intercultural Innovation Award for “A Circus School for Intercultural Dialogue” in Bali, Indonesia.
2014 – arcenciel received the Earth Card award from the Lebanese French Bank and UNDP, for the preservation of water in Lebanon
2013 – arcenciel received the award for the best professional MBA project from MBA IP Lebanon, for the study of the production launch of “Biopesticide” in Lebanon
2013 – arcenciel received the Ford Motor Company’s Conservation & Environmental Grant, for its “Rolling Caps” project which focuses on recyclable waste, specifically plastic bottle caps.
2012 – arcenciel was awarded the Nestlé “Creating Shared Value” prize in New Delhi, India, for its Wataneh Fair Trade Program.
2010 – arcenciel received the Takreem Award from Ricardo Karam, for development and creativity
