Kulluna Irada is an organization that claims to uphold the law, pursue corrupt individuals, and fight corruption in the name of good governance and reform. However, in practice, the activities of Kulluna Irada violate both the law and the objectives for which the organization was granted official recognition by the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities in October 2021.
According to the official notice signed by former Minister of Interior and Municipalities Bassam Mawlawi on October 12, 2021, the objectives and tasks of the aforementioned organization are as follows:
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Striving to enhance and develop social, environmental, cultural, agricultural, artisanal, and industrial affairs, along with all related sectors.
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Assisting municipalities and local institutions in areas related to energy, water, tourism, and modern transportation.
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Conducting studies in various development-related fields, including commercial, financial, economic, legal, and more.
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Striving to unlock human potential and enhance technical capabilities to foster individual development while improving the surrounding environment. The goal is to advance Lebanese society across all regions and villages, paving the way for a future built on stability, prosperity, and progress.
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Working to establish cooperation and partnerships with institutions, associations, and other civil society organizations whose activities align with these objectives, particularly in charitable work and social initiatives.
The official notice, published in the Official Gazette on October 28, 2021, clearly defines Kulluna Irada's scope as limited to social, cultural, developmental, and agricultural activities. However, in practice, Kulluna Irada has evolved into a political funding platform that supports candidates, forms electoral lists, and engages in elections. It has also sought to elevate individuals to positions of power and secure financial backing for political groups.
The organization acknowledges this political shift in its financial report for the 2022 elections:
"Kulluna Irada (KI) saw the 2022 parliamentary elections as a key milestone in Lebanon’s long-term path to political change. The wave of change sparked by the 2019 uprising generated significant momentum for emerging political actors, making the elections a crucial opportunity to strengthen the opposition from within state institutions. Given the nature of the electoral system and the imbalance in access and influence between traditional parties and emerging forces, efforts were necessary to help establish a level playing field in electoral campaigns."
Kulluna Irada further elaborates in its report:
“In line with its mission to promote political reform, Kulluna Irada made a strategic decision to support pro-reform groups in their fight for representation, with the aim of creating a new progressive force within Parliament. Accordingly, its efforts centered on three main tracks."
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Establishing and strengthening communication channels between emerging political groups and the Lebanese diaspora.
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Contributing to the development of a progressive political discourse based on citizen-centered policies and full state sovereignty.
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Building electoral capabilities by focusing on media, communication, and logistical readiness.
Despite its official recognition as a development-focused organization, Kulluna Irada has operated within the political sphere for years. It has effectively transformed into a quasi-political, economic, and financial entity, intervening in financial and economic policies through groups it trains and funds. These groups work to influence platforms and various media and advertising outlets, using millions of dollars that flow into its accounts but are not reflected in its official budgets or financial reports.
This raises serious questions about the organization’s handling of these funds, their sources, and their expenditure. Kulluna Irada has transitioned from an organization—required to have an administrative body—into a profit-oriented entity. It now operates with a "board of directors" consisting of 15 members, in clear violation of Lebanese law, which invites legal penalties.
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