United Cities Lebanon
Technical Office of Lebanese Municipalities

En English

Project for the Support of Lebanese Municipalities in the field of Local Economic Development and Civic Engagement

Period:
2020 - 2022

Lebanese beneficiary cities
The Municipalities of Jezzine, Hammana, Menjez, Al-Qaa and the Unions of the Municipalities of Chouf Souayjani and Hasbani

Context

According to the latest numbers published by the government in 2019, 25% of the Lebanese population is unemployed with the Lebanese youth making up 37% of those affected. The economic and financial crises, which have already been worsening since the end of 2019, were aggravated by the coronavirus pandemic. The World Bank stated that over 70% of the population will be at risk of poverty by end 2020. In the midst of economic, political, and social crises as well as the lack of public policies formulated by the State, Lebanese municipalities must play a central role in action taken at a local level. They must become an open space for citizens and especially youth to engage in dialogue in order to better respond to their needs and build trust amongst them. It is equally important to strengthen and support municipalities in order for them to promote the employment of youth and ensure the development of local economies.

Objectives

Main objective: To support six local authorities in the field of local economic development and civic engagement.

Specific objectives: This project seeks to promote the engagement of citizens generally, and of the youth specifically, through the creation of sustainable civic engagement units within local Lebanese authorities. With financial support, local authorities will consult with civic engagement units to develop and implement an action plan supporting the employment integration of the youth and local economic development. In parallel, the project will enhance the competence of local authorities through trainings on civic engagement and local economic development strategies. Finally, this project encourages the creation of further decentralized cooperation ties between Lebanese and Catalan local authorities.

Actions

Within the framework of this project, the following actions are or will be carried out:

The creation of units of civic consultation within six local authorities;
The execution of participatory assessments of growing sectors of the local economy and of employment opportunities for the youth;
The elaboration and implementation of action plans helping the youth in successful employment integration;
The organization of training workshops and experience exchanges on civic engagement and economic development strategies delivered by Catalan experts;
The development of cooperation ties between Catalan and Lebanese local authorities.