4th EcoSwitch Festival
The annual festival for Lebanese green enterprises!
Event, Networking, Award Ceremony, & Concert
November 20, 2025
11:30am – 6:00pm at BDD 1280
EyesOnLife Award Ceremony at 6:30pm MusicHall
Followed by Live Music!
Why this Festival?
The EcoSwitch Coalition has been formed in 2020 to strengthen the support to green entrepreneurs in the country, with the aim of collectively empowering eco-entrepreneurs to develop innovative eco-friendly ideas, products & services, establish themselves, and thrive in the long-term.
This Festival brings together sustainable entrepreneurs in Lebanon and connects them to our network of EcoSwitch Coalition partners and experts. We aim to inspire them transfer knowledge in engaging panels, provide a space for networking with like-minded eco-oriented entrepreneurs… and have a bit of fun too along the way!
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Nov 20th
Let’s all gather at BDD!
11:30am-06:00pm at BDD 1280
EyesOnLife Award Ceremony at 6:30pm at the MusicHall
Followed by Live Music!
Meet & Greet, Learn & Network with like-minded green entrepreneurs from all over Lebanon!
11:30am: Registrations
12:00pm: Welcome Notes from the EcoSwitch Coalition Partners
Maya Karkour is the Chair of the EcoSwitch Coalition since 2022. She is an Environmental and Circular Economy Specialist, an Eco-Entrepreneur, and the Managing Director of EcoConsulting, a specialized sustainability consultancy which she founded in 2003 in the UK and in 2007 in Lebanon.
Maya has directly worked on numerous projects aiming at reducing their environmental footprint. She has been a keynote speaker or moderator at various sustainability/environmental conferences in Lebanon and other countries; and has organized and conducted numerous sustainability, green building, circular economy and environmental seminars & workshops. She has been coaching environmental start-ups with innovative entrepreneurial solutions and is mentoring eco or social entrepreneurs to help them establish themselves and scale up. Maya has been actively promoting the Circular Economy and sustainable practices in Lebanon, more recently by launching the Circular Hub.
Maya holds an MSc in Environment & Sustainable Policies from LSE, she is a Circular Economy Specialist with the Circular Economy Club, and holds the Permaculture Design Certificate, first level.12:10pm: Key Note Speech from the Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Dr. Nizar Hani
12:20pm: Keynote from the Swiss Embassy in Lebanon, Vincent Pasquier
After working for the Swiss Embassy in Damascus and the Temporary International Presence in Hebron, Mr. Pasquier joined the Swiss diplomatic service in 2009. He was part of the political section of the Embassy of Switzerland in Washington before working on European Affairs. From 2013 to 2016, he headed the Justice and Home Affairs Section in the Directorate for European Affairs in Berne. From 2016 to 2020, he served as Deputy Head of Mission in the Embassy of Switzerland in Abu Dhabi. From 2020 to 2024, he was Deputy Head of the MENA Division and Head of Section Middle East at the State Secretariat, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland in Bern.
Born in 1979 in Geneva, Switzerland, Vincent Pasquier holds a Master in Communication Systems from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), a Licence in Political Science from the University of Geneva and an MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics.
12:30pm: Inspiring Interventions from successful Green Entrepreneurs
Learn about their journey, success stories, struggles, and more!
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Mario is the managing director and co-founding partner of Biomass Organic. He currently leads the strategic and operational transformation of the company, focusing on capacity build-up, commercial expansion, brand presence in international markets, in addition to the turnaround of the business. His previous experience is in management consulting and in start-ups with projects in the telecommunication and agriculture sectors, across the Middle East and West Africa. Mario holds a bachelor degree in business administration from the American University of Beirut (AUB) and graduated from the Grand Lycee Franco Libanais, in 2002.
Bringing a deep-seated passion for agriculture and sustainability, Moe has cultivated strong relationships within the community of farmers and volunteers for the past five years. His journey into nature-focused work solidified during his work as Miyawaki Forest Maker combining the technique to hands-on permaculture experience at campsites & natural reserves, alongside consultancy for permaculture gardens.
This work is deeply rooted in Moe’s holistic vision for circular urban ecologies – a drive to transform environmental challenges into thriving green solutions. His efforts, extending into initiatives that repurpose waste into organic fertilizer and foster sustainable urban farming, underscore a profound commitment to building a greener, more resilient Beirut and fostering a vibrant green community.
Mohamed, with his wife Hiba, co-founded The Mushroom Land (previously named Kawafungo www.kawafungo.com), an environmental, recycling, social startup aiming at reusing the coffee grounds (coffee waste that is thrown away by coffee brewers) and other organic matters to grow mushrooms in a controlled environment in rural areas, and The Worm Factory that produces vermicompost from organic waste & mushroom waste.
We are Dona-Teresa Al Hachache, Rita Abou Rjeily, and Maria Abou Rjeily — three telecommunications engineers united by a shared mission: to create smarter, greener solutions for the world we live in.
That mission led us to create Can Talk — a smart recycling machine that transforms plastic bottles into communication rewards. Drop in your bottles, enter your phone number, and once you’ve recycled enough, you can collect rewards like mobile data, talk minutes, and more.
With Can Talk, we want to make eco-action part of everyday life. We believe that sustainability doesn’t have to be a sacrifice — it can be simple, rewarding, and accessible to everyone. Every bottle recycled is one step closer to a cleaner planet and a more connected world.
01:15pm: EBRD Support to Green Businesses
Jad Zgheib
Principal Manager, Advice for Small Businesses at European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
Jad Zgheib is the National Programme Manager at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, managing the EBRD’s Advice for Small Businesses programme in Lebanon. He joined the EBRD in 2021 to launch the Star Venture programme that supports Lebanese start-ups. He then moved to a regional role in the Bank’s London headquarters, before coming back to Lebanon to lead the ASB team and manage the SME support activities.
Jad started his career in Investment Banking with Barclays Capital in London. After five years on trading floors, he then moved to work with Doctors Without Borders in a number of conflict-prone countries, before eventually returning to Lebanon in late 2019. Jad has a BA in Economics and Management and a Masters in Finance from the Paris Dauphine University in France.01:30pm: Announcing the Winners of the UNLEASH Hack for sustainable food & beverage packaging solutions
UNLEASH Hack Lebanon on FOOD PACKAGING WASTE MANAGEMENT
UNLEASH Hack Lebanon focuses on the ongoing waste crisis in Lebanon, specifically the accumulation of non-biodegradable plastic waste from one-time usage food and beverage packaging. Disposable packaging, including for food delivery services and takeaways, other food items, and plastic water bottles, represents a large proportion of waste accumulated in nature. This is becoming a major threat not only to the environment but to human health as well. This Hack invites participants to explore innovative ways to transition to sustainable or circular food packaging alternatives or behaviors.
01:50pm: Let’s Meet & Greet over Lunch!
Join us for lunch while networking with other players in the local green entrepreneurship ecosystem
02:45pm: Meet our partner EU Neighbours South & their Youth Network: EU JEEL Connect
Joumana has over 20 years of experience in strategic communication and market research focused on the Middle East and North Africa. For the past 14 years, she has specialised in international development, including in her role as the Team Leader and Strategic Communication Expert for the European Commission’s EU Neighbours South programme. In this role, she manages a multicultural team and supports strategy development, thematic campaigns, youth networks and opinion polls for 10 countries of the Southern Neighbourhood. She has also worked with a number of donors, international organisations and NGOs, including USAID, GIZ, MercyCorps and multiple UN agencies. As a volunteer, Joumana is also the Vice President of the Lebanon Mountain Trail Association’s Board of Directors.
03:00pm: Explore a Topic you are interested in!
Panel 1:
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Aya is a senior consultant at Beyond Group since 2022. She has extensive experience in system innovation, product development, service design, design thinking, change management, and sustainable design and development. She brings over 10 years of experience in the local and regional entrepreneurial ecosystem and over 5 years of experience in consulting and facilitation. In addition, Aya spent more than 3 years mentoring SEs and MSMEs on business set-up and optimization towards creating impact. More recently, Aya has been catalyzing and implementing development, governance frameworks design, and capacity building projects as part of the Beyond Group Team. Earlier, Aya has tested her skill set by developing multiple projects and initiatives in Lebanon from her early experimentation in community catalyzation in 2014 to starting her recent sustainable fashion production Atelier Miqias. Aya has established a strong skill set through multiple fellowships and collaborations with entities locally and abroad such as MIT Media Lab, Unleash Innovation Lab, Wamda, Ashoka, UNIDO, and the Swedish Institute.
Riham Hijazi is an entrepreneur creating fashion solutions under her founded labels RUSH & REEZ and Necess. Riham holds a Masters degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and has worked in the telecom and technology sector for over 10 years before starting her entrepreneurial journey with a mission to bring more sense and science to the fashion industry.
Rami Saad is a visionary entrepreneur and innovation management expert with over 18 years of experience. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Earth Weavers, a social enterprise that empowers rural women and drives social and environmental change in the fashion industry. Rami is also the Founder and Managing Director of GCD Sarl, global consulting and development company that specializes in innovation management for F&B manufacturing. He provides training and consultation services to NGOs, SMEs, and startups. As well He`s the Co-Founder of Mounet Bay-tek.
Mona explores how collective agricultural and artistic practices and their intersections exist as forms of care in contrast to occuring violence. Interested in stories of land, animals, people and other elements that make up the dyeing process, Mona founded Masbough/a as a space where people come together to create and practice the ancient art of dyeing as they share knowledge about plants, dyes and textiles.
Panel 2:
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Jad holds a BS in Economics and has gained valuable professional experience in diverse roles. In 2017, he joined Deloitte & Touche as an external financial auditor, where he spent three years gaining exposure to various industries and work environments. He has been the Finance Manager of Blue Ocean Creations, a multi-disciplinary travel company, since its inception in 2019. In 2020, Jad embarked on a new journey driven by a desire for self-actualization and community involvement. He became a part of Jibal NGO, as a financial and administrative coordinator and transitioned into the role of Access to Market Coordinator. In this capacity, he dedicates his efforts to developing alternative sales channels for small-scale farmers while ensuring that consumers have improved accessibility to food. With a newfound focus on sustainability and the circular economy, Jad joined Eedama in 2021, to actively support impactful businesses in their development. He is Eedama’s Finance Manager and accompanies social enterprises’ executives in developing their businesses.
Skandar is a Business strategist with a Master’s in Marketing, leading Gharset Kheir’s growth and vision to scale Lebanese heirloom seeds locally and globally.
About ACTED
Since 2006, through its multi-sectoral interventions, ACTED has been fostering programs that promote localization, climate resilience, and social inclusion, in line with its global 3ZERO vision: Zero Exclusion, Zero Carbon, and Zero Poverty. Under the Zero Carbon pillar, Acted supports collaborative and resilient ecosystem management (e.g., river basin management) and implements climate mitigation and adaptation activities at both individual and systemic levels (e.g., circular economy, climate-wise agriculture).About Yara Bou Rached
Yara Bou Rached is a seasoned environmental health specialist and researcher with over five years of experience in knowledge management, data analysis, and multi-stakeholder project coordination. Her work bridges the gap between research and policy, with a strong focus on public health, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment. She coordinated Lebanon’s first environmental exposure study at battery recycling facilities, driving regulatory change in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment. As Acted Climate and Environment Technical Coordinator, Yara steers Acted’s climate-wise strategy which entails, among others, circular economy programming for climate mitigation and green growth.Corinne is a program coordinator at Jibal, specializing in agroecology, food sovereignty, and education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Degrowth from the Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona.
As a co-founder of both the Zgharta Municipal Shadow Council (ZMSC) and the Agroecology Coalition in Lebanon (ACL), she has mobilized and coordinated advocacy efforts with the goal of transforming extractive systems into regenerative, community-led ones. Her expertise includes permaculture design, syntropic agriculture, and popular education methods. She has authored and co-authored several publications with Jibal, including reports on Agroecology in Lebanon and a book on learning garden activities. Additionally, she has experience in teaching and training instructors and farmer communities on topics like environmental justice.
Karim Hakim is a former high school history teacher and member of SOILS Permaculture Association Lebanon. Since 2021, he has served as the manager of Dikken el Mazraa, a solidarity grocery in Beirut that promotes local food sovereignty by supporting small-scale farmers and ensuring access to healthy food for vulnerable communities.
03:50pm:
Take a Break, Have a Taqa
04:05pm: Fill in the EcoSwitch Survey!
04:15pm: ECO-BINGO Time!
Join us for a fun activity to meet new people & perhaps win our Eco-Bingo game 🙂
04:40pm: Pick & Choose
Panel 1:
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Maya is an innovation and people enthusiast with 7+ years of experience in non-profit, academic and volunteer sectors. She has been supporting local and international social and green entrepreneurs with their organizational structure, financial management, human-centered work ethics and strategic development. She is currently the co-executive at makesense Lebanon where she manages and oversees the programs and operations. She holds a degree in Media & Communication with an emphasis in journalism after which she interviewed and wrote about multiple changemakers in the local society and beyond. In her spare time, you will find her reading, writing or filming topics related to the anthropological and cultural history of Lebanon and other countries (previously documented and lived with communities such as Nubians in Egypt, Bedouins in Jordan, and the Sinhalese and Tamil in Sri Lanka).
Imane Assaf was born in Liberia, raised in Lebanon and the UK amidst the Lebanese Civil War, I gained a diverse cultural perspective. Lebanon became my foundation, Africa my peaceful upbringing, and the UK my education and career influence. With a degree in computer programming, I built a successful finance career for seven years. In 1994, I returned to Lebanon amid its growth, working for SNA and establishing Zurich Life’s offices in Egypt and Jordan. After marrying in 1997, I focused on family and volunteering for NGOs, including the Step Together Association. In 2014, I founded Ahla Fawda, initially for community-building but later emphasizing humanitarian work. It supports underprivileged communities, fosters environmental awareness, and created the Eco Hub. My passion for street art led Ahla Fawda to commission a landmark mural and collaborate with artists globally. During the 2019 revolution, Art of Change, an institute I co-founded, used street art to amplify marginalized voices and drive social transformation. Today, I remain dedicated to my work in NGOs and street art, striving to create positive change and artistic expression in the communities I serve.
Farah Abi Mosleh Farah Abi Mosleh is a program manager at Farah Social Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering with an MS in Community Development from AUB.
With over 8 years of dedicated experience in community development, she is an expert passionate about fostering positive change. Her focus on agriculture, entrepreneurship, and gender reflects a commitment to sustainable development and empowerment. Through impactful projects, Farah has contributed to the growth and resilience of communities by collaborating with women, youth, and startups, facilitating the transformation of their ideas into tangible businesses with a strong emphasis on gender and environmental mainstreaming.Antoine Kallab is the Associate Director of the AUB Nature Conservation Center (AUB-NCC). He is in charge of the design and implementation of the center’s 2030 strategic vision. He also manages the internal core research team, leads and participates in several research projects, and grows the center’s network of partners, affiliated faculty, communities and experts. Antoine represents AUB-NCC on the 3RF Civil Society Consultative Group created by the World Bank, United Nations and European Union following the 2020 Beirut Port Blast. He also leads various environmental and planning projects in participation with local communities, businesses and municipalities. Antoine is a specialist in urban economic development, public policy and disaster management. He has worked and studied in Lebanon, France, London, the USA and Vietnam. Before his current position, he worked as a freelance consultant for UN Agencies, in the private sector and academia. As of June 2023, he also sits on the advisory board of the Takreem Foundation. Antoine earned his Masters’ in Architecture in 2018, MSc. Urban Economic Development in 2020, Masters’ in Geopolitics and Masters’ in Public Administration in 2021.
Panel 2:
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Nancy Saliba, Ph.D., is the Director of the Asher Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ACIE) at USEK, Lebanon. With over 15 years in the industrial sector, she has led efforts in marketing, branding, and environmental systems. Transitioning to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, she now empowers startups with sustainable models and supports innovation in the MENA region. Nancy’s vision is to promote entrepreneurship, driving lasting impact for individuals and communities.
Emilio Akl is a project manager with a focus on sustainability and environmental solutions. He currently serves as Project Manager at Fondation Diane, where he leads initiatives in waste management and sustainable development. His role involves coordinating startups and organizations to create local recycling and waste diversion projects, securing funding, and driving green impact. Emilio’s expertise includes bioremediation, having served as Business Development Manager of SERPEVEN in Venezuela from 2007 to 2012, a company focused on the environmental recovery of oil-polluted soil. His leadership in this role contributed to the successful restoration of sites contaminated by oil rig operations. In 2016, he undertook a sustainability project with Agropecuaria La Fronda, Venezuela, “harvesting water from air for hydroponics irrigation.” In 2017, he initiated an eco-tourism project in Malaga, Spain, recognizing the need to incorporate tourism income to support small agricultural ventures. Driven by the motto, “There is no simple solution for a problem when humans are involved,” Emilio approaches challenges from multiple perspectives to create sustainable, impactful outcomes. His diverse expertise spans eco-tourism, agriculture, and project development, making him a valuable contributor to global conversations on waste management and sustainability.
Ingrid Salloum is an accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in program management, working with international and local organizations such as UNDP, UNICEF, Cisco Systems, and the MIT Enterprise Forum. She currently serves as the Cluster Manager for Waste Valorization at Berytech, a role she has held since June 2024, following her leadership of the USAID-funded Diverting Waste by Encouraging Reuse and Recycling (DAWERR) Activity at Berytech. Ingrid holds a master’s degree in financial economics from the American University of Beirut, combining her analytical skills with a passion for sustainable development. She is also an entrepreneur, having founded an online publishing company that creates personalized books for children. Prior to that, she held key roles at Cisco Systems, contributing to advancements in educational policy and technology integration across the MENA region.
Marc is an Environmental Scientist with over 10 years of experience in waste management and composting. He began his career as Compost Manager at the University of Utah, later working with the United Nations on sustainable development policies. In 2017, he founded Compost Baladi (CB), which quickly became profitable and earned him recognition as Lebanese Agrypreneur of the year 2019. Through incubation and acceleration programs, Marc developed skills in leadership, communication, and networking. He has built a significant business network across Lebanon, Jordan, MENA, and Europe. Marc’s expertise includes hiring and managing teams, overseeing operations, and developing innovative biowaste solutions.
05:30pm: Recap of all Sessions
05:50pm: Join Us for the EyesOnLife Award Ceremony!
The #EyesOnLife contest spotlights some of the best Circular Economy projects in the Southern Mediterranean and was open to Green Entrepreneurs and Civil Society Organizations in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia. Join us for a lively award ceremony to discover the most successful initiatives and congratulate the winners driving positive change in our region!
06:00pm: Transportation to the MusicHall venue is provided
06:30pm: EyesOnLife Award Ceremony at the MusicHall
Followed by Live Music with Binky Band
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