About Us

We bring extensive experience navigating the environmental and social standards of international organizations, ensuring every project meets rigorous compliance requirements.

Ecocentra SARL is a Lebanon-based environmental consultancy delivering high-quality, solution-driven services across diverse sectors. We assist our partners, who include public and private entities and local and international organizations, to plan, assess and manage their projects to achieve environmental compliance and best practice. Established in 2013 and operating from our offices in Beirut, we utilize our extensive network of experts and insight into local conditions and international requirements.

The environmental sector has rapidly evolved into a fundamental pillar of development, investment, and construction. Beyond fulfilling regulatory obligations and protecting social well-being, integrating environmental considerations early in the planning process has proven both cost-effective and performance-enhancing, streamlining implementation and elevating the overall value of any project. With a strong command of local environmental regulations and international sustainability standards, Ecocentra is uniquely positioned to navigate the complexities of each assignment, delivering solutions tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities of every engagement.

Our region faces a wide range of pressing environmental challenges—from land degradation and unsustainable agricultural practices to inadequate solid waste and wastewater management and rising industrial pollution. Addressing these issues is further complicated by the scarcity of up-to-date, continuous, and reliable environmental data. Ecocentra’s services are designed to bridge this gap, offering comprehensive expertise across biodiversity and ecosystem protection, land use planning, air quality and noise management, health and safety, cultural heritage and archaeological conservation, socioeconomic analysis, and the management of water and other natural resources. Central to our approach is meaningful community engagement, ensuring that local voices are integrated into solutions that are both effective and socially grounded.

Ecocentra has successfully partnered on projects funded by a wide range of leading international organizations, including the World Bank Group, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), European Union (EU), European Investment Bank (EIB), and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Our experts bring extensive experience navigating the environmental and social standards of these institutions, ensuring that every project we support meets rigorous compliance requirements while delivering sustainable, high-impact results.

The Team

Ecocentra is supported by a dedicated team of full-time professionals who contribute to every project we undertake, complemented by a network of specialized consultants with whom we collaborate regularly.

Lama Bashour
Director

Ms. Bashour is an Environment and Social Consultant with 25 years of experience in development and environmental consultancy. Her work focuses on leading environmental and social assessment teams for a diverse array of infrastructure projects, review of ESIA reports and environmental and social due diligence and has prepared Environmental and Social Management Frameworks, Stakeholder Engagement Plans and Frameworks, Resettlement Action Plans and Frameworks, and Labour Management Procedures for various types of projects and programs. All the assessments undertaken required abiding by international and local standards including those adopted by the World Bank/IFC, UNDP< EBRD, EIB, KfW, AFD and JICA. Ms. Bashour has worked on many studies in the region including in Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq and has supported UNDP Country Offices internationally in various countries in Asia, Africa and Central and South America. Ms Bashour’s educational background includes a Diploma for Graduates in Economics from the University of London/London School of Economics, Master’s Degree in Environmental Law & Conservation from the University of Kent in the UK and a Bachelor of Sciences in Public & Environmental Health from the American University of Beirut.

Joanna Zaghrini
Environmental Consultant

Ms. Zaghrini has 8 years of experience in environmental and social consulting. At Ecocentra, she has contributed to the preparation of ESIAs, IEEs, and environmental audits across a variety of projects, including reforestation, water and wastewater, roads, and industrial developments. She also has extensive experience supervising the implementation of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) for World Bank-funded projects in Lebanon. Additionally, Ms. Zaghrini played a key role in preparing the State of the Environment Report for Lebanon 2020, contributing to the Environmental Governance and Chemical Management chapters. She holds a Master’s in Biodiversity: Management and Conservation of Natural Resources from the Lebanese University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology, combining strong academic training with hands-on project expertise.

Moussa Khayyat
Researcher

Mr. Khayyat is an Environmental and Social Consultant with 3 years of experience in research and consultancy. He has contributed to a range of environmental and social impact assessment studies for diverse infrastructure projects, as well as other research initiatives undertaken by Ecocentra. Mr. Khayyat holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science (Environmental Health) from the American University of Beirut and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Notre Dame University, bringing both strong academic training and practical experience to every project he supports.