/ CIVIC HUB
In 2006, during the Israeli invasion, Zico House was automatically transformed into an aid centre for refugees.
A number of individual volunteers and of social organizations gathered in the building, creating a major support system for the country. In two days, Zico House was able to welcome refugees, associations, and volunteers; the space was transformed, adapted to the emergency and to the necessity to react.
In this context, a number of civil associations were born.
Zico House is actually hosting numerous organisations: Ardi Ardak, the Lebanese League for Women in Business, the Food Heritage Foundations, and Laban Studio.
1st FLOOR
Food Hub
ESDU has been always committed to support the livelihood of the local communities, and to aid both the beneficiaries and the suppliers; the food items were procured from various suppliers including over 20 cooperatives, community kitchens and small scale local producers benefiting at least 35 vulnerable local families. The Food parcels & seedlings truck visited many villages and cities in Lebanon, such as West Bekaa, Baalbeck, Arsal, Beirut, Tripoli, Akkar and Chouf
Women's empowering Organisation
LLWB, founded in 2006, is a socio-economic, apolitical, non-religious association bringing together professional women and providing them with a platform for sharing experiences, developing competencies and skills, establishing networks and exchanging expertise, accessing funds and mentorship. LLWB’s mission has been driven by building partnerships and collaborations with various stakeholders in the ecosystem that share similar goals of addressing socio-economic gaps.
2nd FLOOR
Food Hub
FHF aims at preserving and reviving Lebanese local knowledge and traditions around food. FHF seeks to reconcile the new generation and urban population with their food traditions to preserve their culinary heritage and empower small producers and farmers. After its inception in 2013 and through the years it consolidated four main programs and promoted their development: “Souk Aal Souk” Farmers’ Market, “Akleh” Community Kitchens, “Darb el Karam” Food trail and Community Gardening.
ROOF
Theater Organisation
Laban is a nonprofit civil organization founded in 2009 and based on improvisational theatre. Laban utilizes Improvisation Theater, Interactive Theater, Playback Theater, and Theater of the oppressed in its components of civil work to support and serve all righteous issues of the Lebanese society.