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Grant Overview
The B5 Fund is a $25 million Fund, financed by the Lebanese Financing facility (LFF), a multi-donor trust fund established in December 2020, and managed by the World Bank. The Fund aims to pool grant resources and strengthen the coherence and coordination of financing in support of the immediate socio-economic recovery of vulnerable people and businesses impacted by the Port of Beirut explosion of August 4, 2020.
The Objective
The objective of the B5 Fund is to support the recovery of targeted Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) damaged by the explosion and to sustain the operations of eligible and selected Microfinance Institutions (MFIs).

The B5 Fund would also help preserve private sector jobs and reduce business closure and layoffs by providing direct grants to damaged businesses.


Project components and activities are as follows:

Grants through MFIs
  • Grant amounts to eligible applicants under the wholesale approach will be up to a maximum of $10,000 per MSE
  • Grants will be disbursed in Cash USD
  • A candidate may not submit an application for more than one grant at the same time
Grants through Kafalat
  • Grant amounts to eligible applicants under the retail approach will be up to a maximum of US $25,000 per MSE
About the Lebanon Financing Facility (LFF)

Established in December 2020 in the aftermath of the August 4 Port of Beirut explosion disaster, and following the launch of the Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF), the Lebanon financing Facility (LFF) is a 5 year multi-donor trust fund, managed by the World Bank.

To date, the LFF has received contributions and pledges from the governments of Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Norway and from the EU. Subject to the commitment of all Lebanese stakeholders to critical reforms, the LFF will build the foundation for medium-term recovery and the sustainable reconstruction of the Port of Beirut and affected neighborhoods.

The LFF prioritizes three focus areas of interventions:
1. Socio-economic and business recovery;
2. Preparing for reform and reconstruction; and
3. Strengthening coordination, monitoring, accountability and oversight of the 3RF.

Strengthening the coherence and coordination of financing in support of the immediate socio-economic recovery of vulnerable people and businesses impacted by the explosion.
  • The Fund will benefit from the World Bank’s high fiduciary standards, through the application of its fiduciary framework for financial management, procurement, and environmental and social safeguards.
  • It will ensure that programs promote gender equality and community engagement that target women, youth and vulnerable populations. In addition.
  • LFF will hire a Third Party Monitoring Agent to independently verify and confirm that the criteria, selection process, assessment and use of funds are in compliance with the Project Operations Manual.
Project Projected Timeline:
  • July 2021
    Project Approved by WB
  • August 2021
    Signed by WB and Kafalat
  • October 2021
    Declared effective
  • November 2021
    Launch of MSE Grant Application
  • November 2021
    Assessment of MFIs channeling Grants to MSEs
  • November 2021
    Selection of MFIs channeling Grants to MSEs
  • December 2021 - June 2023
    MSEs Application Evaluation, Selections and Disbursements
  • December 2021
    Assessment of MFIs Benefitting from Grants Launched
  • March 2022
    Selection of MFIs benefitting from Grants
  • September 2022 - March 2024
    Disbursements to MFIs
  • March 2023 - June 2023
    Training to Women owned or led businesses
  • November 2021 – June 2024
    Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation
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The B5 Fund is a $25 million Fund, financed by the Lebanese Financing facility (LFF), a multi-donor trust fund established in December 2020, and managed by the World Bank. The Fund aims to pool grant resources and strengthen the coherence and coordination of financing in support of the immediate socio-economic recovery of vulnerable people and businesses impacted by the Port of Beirut explosion of August 4, 2020.

CONTACT US

For additional information, queries or complaints, please contact Mr. Khalil Attieh, Mr. Jeoffrey Karaa or Mr. Nadim Khreiss

by phone at 01/340992 or 70/182926 or by email at [email protected] and [email protected].

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