Call for Proposals – Implementation Agreement for the Development of the Table Grapes Value Chain for Export in Lebanon

Agency: ILO | Reference: LBN/23/50/NLD - 109426/ LBN/25/51/NLD - 110235 | Type: Call for implementing partners Title: Call for Proposals – Implementation Agreement for the Development of the Table Grapes Value Chain for Export in LebanonAgriculture remains a cornerstone of rural livelihoods and employment in Lebanon, particularly in the Bekaa Valley, the country's principal production region for fruits and vegetables. In recent years, however, the sector has faced a succession of economic and market shocks, including the prolonged economic crisis, regional trade disruptions, escalating production costs, and an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment. These challenges have significantly reduced productivity, weakened competitiveness, and constrained access to export markets, with medium-scale producers being disproportionately affected.Among Lebanon's horticultural products, table grapes represent one of the country's most important export commodities. While Lebanese grapes are recognised for their quality and favourable production conditions, the sector has experienced declining competitiveness in regional markets and has yet to fully capitalize on opportunities in higher-value export destinations. The recent reopening of the Saudi Arabian market and growing demand for seedless table grapes in European markets present significant opportunities for export growth. However, realizing this potential requires addressing structural constraints across the value chain.The principal challenge lies in the mismatch between the grape varieties currently cultivated and the varieties demanded by international buyers, particularly the growing preference for seedless varieties in premium markets. This is compounded by limited access to high-quality and legally sourced planting material, weak market information, high investment costs associated with varietal replacement, and the absence of systematic variety testing under Lebanese agro-climatic conditions. Medium-scale farmers also face persistent constraints related to access to finance, quality agricultural inputs, technical advisory services, post-harvest infrastructure, and structured market linkages, limiting their ability to upgrade production and participate in export markets.The intervention is further grounded in the recognition that export competitiveness depends not only on productivity and product quality but also on compliance with increasingly important labour and sustainability requirements. Improving occupational safety and health, promoting fair recruitment practices, strengthening workers' skills, and preventing child labour are therefore integral components of developing a competitive and responsible table grape value chain.Against this backdrop, the International Labour Organization (ILO) is implementing an intervention based on a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach to strengthen the competitiveness, inclusiveness, and sustainability of Lebanon's table grape value chain. Building on the findings of the ILO's Value Chain Selection and Export Market Systems Analysis, the intervention seeks to improve the export readiness of medium-scale grape producers through market-driven varietal upgrading, enhanced access to quality planting material and technical services, strengthened post-harvest and market linkages, and the promotion of decent work throughout the value chain. By addressing systemic market constraints, the intervention aims to increase the participation of medium-scale producers in high-value export markets while ensuring that the benefits of export growth are shared more broadly across the sector.ObjectiveThe overall objective of the intervention is to strengthen the competitiveness, inclusiveness, and long-term sustainability of the table grape value chain in the Bekaa Valley, while increasing Lebanon's grape exports to high-value markets, particularly the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Using a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach, the intervention will work through partnerships with private sector market actors - including input suppliers, exporters, and microfinance institutions - to ensure that improvements are market-led, commercially viable, and sustainable beyond the project period.Specifically, the intervention seeks to:Improve the varietal base of the sector by introducing and testing market-driven seedless grape varieties through a sustainable variety trial system.Strengthen the technical capacity, market orientation, and competitiveness of medium-scale grape farmers, while promoting farmer clustering and stronger linkages with exporters and buyers.Facilitate access to affordable finance to enable productive investments in quality inputs, planting material, and farm upgrading.Promote occupational safety and health, responsible business conduct, fair recruitment practices, and the prevention of child labour to ensure that improvements in productivity and export competitiveness are accompanied by decent work outcomes.Through these interventions, the project aims to improve productivity, reduce production cos DOCUMENTS AND LINKS: • TORs.pdf: https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/DownloadDocument?noticeId=309482&documentId=2069476 • Download all documents: https://www.ungm.org/Public/Notice/DownloadAllDocuments?noticeId=309482 CONTACT: • Email: jabakhanji@ilo.org