Rural Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food (REAF) is proud to announce that the Michel Daher Social Foundation, a longstanding partner organization of the program, has been awarded the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) certification, making it the first organization in Lebanon to achieve this prestigious recognition. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in organizational excellence and reflects MDSF’s commitment to driving sustainable growth in Lebanon’s economic sectors.
Understanding EFQM
The EFQM Model, developed by the European Foundation for Quality Management, is an internationally recognized framework that guides organizations in adopting structured, sustainable approaches to enhance performance. It focuses on purpose, strategy, innovation, and results, encouraging businesses to exceed stakeholder expectations and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Achieving this certification requires organizations to meet rigorous standards across these areas, demonstrating a deep commitment to operational excellence and sustainable business practices. For MDSF, this recognition highlights their hard work, vision, and ongoing pursuit of excellence in the agri-food sector.
The Journey to Excellence
MDSF’s journey to obtaining the EFQM certification was supported by the REAF program, which provided the essential tools, resources, and mentorship needed to navigate the rigorous framework. Iyad Mouawad, Program Manager, notes: “We are incredibly proud of MDSF for this achievement. The EFQM certification embodies the highest standards in business excellence, and witnessing one of REAF’s community partners attain this goal is a strong validation of Berytech’s vision to empower sustainable growth all across.”
“Today, we celebrate a proud and transformative milestone: the recognition of the Michel Daher Social Foundation as the first Lebanese organization honored by the European Foundation for Quality Management. MDSF has demonstrated what is possible when we challenge ourselves, embrace a framework of excellence, and remain focused on delivering value to society. Their journey stands as a testament to how resilience and innovation can not only transform an organization but also inspire an entire community to act with boldness and ambition.” shares Ursula El Hajj, Certified Trainer in Excellence Management (EFQM), reflecting on the collaborative effort and emphasizing how REAF’s mentorship helped MDSF align with EFQM’s principles, identify areas for growth, and implement impactful improvements.
Marleine Daher, MDSF President, expressed: “As president of Michel Daher Social Foundation, I am incredibly proud to be the first organization in Lebanon to earn the EFQM certification with 2 stars as the highest level in a first recognition! The journey has been a transformative experience for us, where every team member worked with dedication and viewed this as an opportunity to strengthen our foundation’s structure and departments, preparing us for future, impactful projects that will address growing community needs.
This recognition is not just a celebration but also a responsibility—a commitment to uphold and build on the standards we have set.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to GIZ and Berytech for this incredible opportunity and to the TRI team for their invaluable guidance throughout this process”
About REAF
The Rural Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food (REAF) program is dedicated to strengthening the socio-economic resilience of individuals in South of Mount-Lebanon, Central, and West Bekaa. It supports the viability of startups in sectors like agri-food, eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy. Funded by The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in partnership with Berytech, REAF operates within the framework of the project Strengthening Agriculture, Local Communities, and Small and Medium Enterprises (ACE).
