Association for the Development of Rural Capacities

A fisherman in Lebanon

A farmer in Lebanon

Fishermen and farmers benefit from ADR's work in southern Lebanon.

The Association for the Development of Rural Capacities (ADR) is a Lebanese non-governmental organization that has been working in southern Lebanon since 1998.

ADR empowers and integrates marginalized communities into the country’s overall economy through socio-economic development. They work with the southern region’s most disadvantaged rural communities, including farmers, refugees, micro entrepreneurs, fishermen, women, and youth.

ADR's program areas are:

  • microfinance
  • agriculture
  • vocational training
  • social development


ADR’s community-driven approach allows for creation of projects that are responsive to the needs expressed by the local population. They have built a lasting trust and strong working ties with southern communities, local leaders and stakeholders.

ANERA and ADR first partnered in the aftermath of the July 2006 war between Israel and Hizbollah, bringing direct assistance to farmers and small businesses in the South who suffered damages as a result of the conflict.

Later, with support from the Partnership for Lebanon, ANERA funded the rehabilitation of three IT Centers from which ADR provides advanced vocational training in accounting, secretarial skills, and cell phone repair. ADR has also recently introduced training for certification in software development.

Most recently, ANERA and ADR have been working together to bring tangible improvement to underserved Palestinian and Lebanese communities in the Tyre district.

Please visit ADR’s website to learn more about their important work.