Frontliner Model (American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanon)

The Frontliner Model—a combination of strategic community initiatives reaching 40,000 direct beneficiaries; an Engaged Scholars Program with scholarships, volunteering rotations, internships, and workshops for students totaling over 200,000 hours; and a core curriculum course Fundamentals in Community Engagement taken by over 800 students—incorporates theoretical, classroom-based knowledge with practical skills and an ethical orientation to address pressing challenges in crises ridden landscapes and raise exceptional, civically engaged “wounded healers.” The Frontliner Model aims for higher education institutions to incorporate theoretical, classroom-based knowledge with practical skills and an ethical orientation to address pressing challenges in crises ridden landscapes.

CCE’s operations exponentially evolved when Lebanon was hit by the record-setting blizzard Alexa in 2013, where dozens of refugees froze to death in their tented settlements. CCE designed and implemented a pilot project, Ghata (Ghata is Arabic for “cover”) to serve as a temporary shelter, ensuring humane and decent living conditions for refugees during extreme weather conditions.

The Ghata, inspired by refugees’ shelter building practices, is a 20sqm, scalable, cost-effective, ecologically responsive, and structurally secure unit, which requires two refugees six hours to assemble, and three hours to disassemble for relocation

To date, there are 14 operational Ghata school campuses across Lebanon, Iraq and Uganda.

Beirut Recovery (2020)

The Beirut Port blast on August 4, 2020, consolidated the Center’s position as a Frontline Respondent to further enhance the University’s impact, effectively promote community engagement, and empower students as change makers.

CE organized teams of volunteers and experts to offer practical support and solidarity in the most affected neighborhoods.

Hundreds of AUB students, alumni, faculty, and staff addressed urgent needs, clearing debris and shattered glass from streets and homes.

Humanitarian Aid for the Internally Displaced  (2024 and 2026)

In 2024, the Center launched the “Our Solidarity Withstands” Campaign, a quick relief response, initially focusing on assisting displaced AUB staff and students in finding shelter and providing basic needs.

AUB students, many of whom were displaced themselves or have previously experienced displacement have implemented community engagement projects (CEPs) focused on emergency preparedness and psychosocial support.

In 2026, Lebanon has witnessed a large-scale displacement of over 1.2 million people. CCE mobilized staff and volunteers to respond to the most urgent needs of displaced communities. The team provided direct support in the setup and management of two major collective shelters in Beirut