how is the application process structured?
Each year, KANIYA COLLECTIVE offers two application periods: One in December for the Class of Spring, and one in June for the Class of Fall.
Each class of scholars is carefully selected by a jury of Lebanese public figures from media, arts, academics and the civil society. Scholars are selected based on their societal commitment, personality and ambitions, to create a group of individuals that support and challenge each other on their mission to create a better future for Lebanon.
Our scholarship is targeted at students who, at the time of application, have completed at least two thirds of the credit points required for their degree.
Doesn't your initiative encourage Brain Drain?
Possibly, yes. But: The positive consequences of Brain Drain outweigh the negative aspects. It is not only the country of destination which benefits from the consequences of Brain Drain. Countries of origin also profit from the emigration of parts of their population. Migrants reinvest the wealth gained abroad in their countries of origin and transfer productive ideas back there. Thus, diaspora networks of migrants can drive capital accumulation, innovation and growth in the countries of origin.
In addition to the positive economic effects, which can be seen above all in the increasing investment in education, especially for women, Brain Drain also results in ideational improvements: For example, emigrants who have managed to establish themselves in their destination countries often become role models in their countries of origin.
Young people are made aware of the importance of education. Seen from the perspective of society as a whole, this in turn has the effect of improving the economic situation in the countries of origin.
How are the scholarships financed?
KANIYA is financed through crowdfunding and private donations. To secure long-term support for its mission, KANIYA is striving to ensure public funding.
KANIYA does not accept any donations from actors with an agenda that interferes with the independence of Lebanese civil society, KANIYA's core values or the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Next to strict reporting requirements by German public authorities, KANIYA holds itself accountable to highest standards of transparency. Funds provided to KANIYA will be reinvested solely in its mission in the most direct way possible. The founding team is working unsalaried, making sure to limit administrative or overhead costs to a minimum.
What is the long-term societal benefit of students Graduating?
A lack of access to education is considered the origin of poverty. The inability to get an education or being forced to drop out of studies can lead to a cycle of poverty. However, the ability to study can break this cycle. Obtaining a degree is a great achievement for those affected and their families. It gives students the confidence they need to make something of themselves. The self-assurance they gain helps them to achieve even more in life. It also motivates others to follow a similar path and invest in education.
Especially in times when a country is going through difficult times, it is essential to strengthen the aspiring youth in their efforts to change for the better. The greater the share of the population that has received an education, the greater the increase in productivity and GDP. Well-educated societies also register a stronger sense of community and promote trust within society.
It all starts with education.
How Do you guarantee all the money reaches the students?
On top of the strict reporting requirements made by German tax authorities, KANIYA is taking several measures to ensure the money is spent exactly on the desired purposes. Learn more about our pledge to transparency.
Tuition payments are transferred directly from KANIYA to the respective universities. By sending the money from Germany to Lebanon using well-known international financial services, KANIYA is able to cut out intermediaries and ensure that donations reach their target destination.
On top of the strict reporting requirements made by German tax authorities, KANIYA is taking several measures to ensure the money is spent exactly on the desired purposes: Firstly, tuition payments are transferred directly from KANIYA to the respective universities. Secondly, to pay out the living support component of its scholarship, KANIYA is using its local representation in Beirut. By sending the money from Germany to Lebanon using well-known international financial services, KANIYA is able to cut out intermediaries and ensure that donations reach their target destination.
Calculations for living costs are based on the expertise of local partners and can be adapted monthly to changing circumstances, e.g. in the exchange rate of Lebanese Pound and USD. This way, KANIYA ensures that each of their beneficiaries receives a stipend that allows them to concentrate on their studies, in case their current life situation would not allow them to do so.
How much does it cost to fund a student's degree?
Unfortunately, this question cannot be answered in a general way.
The target group of our initiative are students who have completed at least two thirds of their studies. This means, for example, that students who are only 10% or less short of their degree are eligible as well.
The costs per credit depend on the university at which the student is enrolled and can range from 50 USD at the Lebanese University to up to 900 USD at the Lebanese American University.
Thanks to our local network in Beirut, we are able to make use of the daily exchange rate fluctuations of LBP to USD, thereby maximising the value of our donations. Unfortunately, this exchange rate fluctuation makes it difficult to estimate exact.
On average, we are estimating applicants to our program to have completed 84% of their degree, with an average cost per credit of circa 548 USD. By importing donations directly and maximising their value through direct cash exchanges, we estimate that an average applicant will require 1,060 EUR in donations to complete their degree.
