CASH . MONITORING EVALUATION ACCOUNTABILITY & LEARNING .
ORGANIZATIONAL NETWORK
CAMEALEON is NGO-led research and learning network established in 2017 to support the effectiveness and accountability of social assistance for refugees and host communities in Lebanon. It is co-managed by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Oxfam, and Solidarités International (SI), in collaboration with Lebanese and international partners, including academic institutions and think tank.
In its third phase, CAMEALEON uses a soft approach based on learning and advocacy to inform policymaking on social instances in Lebanon. The initiative works closely with the Government of Lebanon, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society organizations to address evidence gaps and improve social assistance outcomes.
CAMEALEON Model
Objectives
EFFECTIVENESS
Long Term Impact Of Cash Plus
Effect Of Debt
Cash Coordination
Role Of Local Actors
ACCOUNTABILITY
Bottom Poor
LEARNING
Links Between CVA And Social Protection
Research Pieces
Effectiveness
Accountability
Learning
CAMEALEON Research Agenda
2024–2025 Research Focus & Collaborations
Opportunities and Barriers for PWDs in Accessing Social Protection and CVA Programs in Lebanon
Description
The research aims to identify the barriers that People with Disabilities (PWDs) face in accessing Cash and Voucher Assistance programs and social assistance programs (NPTP and NDA) from the perspective of PWDs. It will explore structural and social barriers preventing PWDs from registering for or receiving benefits, considering demographic factors such as gender, age, type of disability, and geography. The study will identify best practices for accurately assessing disability, addressing information gaps, and enhancing targeting mechanisms to better reach those in need.
Added Value: This study gives voice to people with disabilities, revealing the hidden barriers they face in accessing aid — and offers actionable recommendations to improve inclusive design, targeting, and delivery of social protection assistance.
workplan/timeline
Assessing the Link Between Cash Assistance and Debt Among Vulnerable Households in Lebanon
Description
The study aims to investigate the influence of increased debt on protection threats among vulnerable Syrian and Lebanese households. It will identify prominent trends in protection threats correlated with high debt levels and determine the primary sources of debt and their impacts on wellbeing. The study will assess how hyperinflation affects HH debt dynamics, explore the effects of debt relief on well-being and social cohesion, and examine the role of different cash assistance modalities in alleviating debt. Additionally, the research will analyse the relationship between debt types and vulnerability levels, identify systemic challenges in targeting the most vulnerable HHs, and evaluate the influence of cultural and contextual factors on cash assistance utilization. Finally, it will determine the effectiveness of cash assistance in reducing debt and vulnerabilities across various sectors such as health, education, and livelihoods. Oxfam will implement the research in close collaboration with CAMEALEON, with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) lending its expertise to oversee and execute the data collection and processing efforts.
Added Value: This research is expected to provide crucial insights to enhance the design and implementation of cash programs by identifying prominent trends in protection threats correlated with high debt levels, ensuring they align with the overarching goal of mitigating vulnerabilities within the refugee and host communities.
workplan/timeline
Impact and Effectiveness of Cash Plus Livelihood Programming for Lebanese Host Communities in Lebanon
Description
The research aims to explore how to effectively link and complement short-term emergency cash distribution with medium-to-long-term livelihoods assistance, assessing its long-term impact on beneficiaries’ livelihoods. The hired consultants will conduct an in-depth evaluation to assess the impact of SI’s and Oxfam’s cash plus livelihoods programming on economic well-being, access to basic services, food security, livelihoods, and overall resilience of beneficiary households in Lebanon. Additionally, the evaluation will determine the effectiveness of the cash plus livelihoods approach in achieving intended outcomes, identify key factors contributing to its success or challenges, and provide recommendations for optimizing programming strategies to enhance their impact and effectiveness on the livelihoods of vulnerable populations in Lebanon. Solidarités International (SI) will implement the research in close collaboration with CAMEALEON, with Mercy Corps joining the data collection and analysis efforts to contribute its technical expertise and field insights.
Added Value: The study will inform the design of Cash Plus interventions by exploring the effectiveness of the cash plus approach in achieving intended outcomes, share lessons learnt and recommendations and provide a roadmap on the needed considerations when designing and reviewing such interventions in Lebanon.
workplan/timeline
Intervention Logic-Description of CAMEALEON's Pillars
The overall objective of the action is to strengthen the large-scale social assistance responsive for extremely poor and vulnerable Syrian refugees and Lebanese. This is in line with outcome 1 of the EU funding decision in 2021: “Essential needs of refugees and host communities are met”. it is also in line with the strategic objective 2 in the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan 2022-2023 “Provide immediate assistance to vulnerable populations”. The specific objectives of the action are in line with the pillars of CAMEALEON work:
- To increase evidence on the effectiveness of large-scale assistance response in Lebanon
- To increase evidence on the accountability systems of the large-scale social assistance response in Lebanon
- To improve learning on the large-scale social assistance response in Lebanon
The underlying intervention logic of this action is the following : by conducting research and analysis on the social assistance for the Syrian refugees and host population, while contributing to learning, knowledge-sharing and advocacy on large-scale cash and voucher assistance in Lebanon and globally, the large-scale social assistance response for Syrian refugees and poor Lebanese is strengthened.
