ART GOLD LEBANON PROGRAMME

Presentation

Over 80% of the Lebanese population currently lives in urbanized areas of the country, out of its estimated population of four million people. Lebanon enjoys a diverse and multi cultural society, yet its peripheral areas, mainly Akkar in the North, Bekaa in the East, and South Lebanon, are characterized by extensive socio-economic marginalization. The situation in South Lebanon was often exacerbated by long-lasting occupations and wars increasing marginalization.

UNDP ART GOLD Lebanon (UNDP AGL) is being implemented in the four neediest areas with high poverty rates, and enormoussocio-economic problems.. These areas also saw the convergence between deprivation and the effects of the July 2006 war. The UNDP AGL main aim however is to support the Lebanese national government and local communities in achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

UNDP AGLadoptsthe Local Development methodology, which relies primarily upon territorial networks and partnerships. In Lebanon, partnership and networks are likely to be weak.. To this end, the first step of the programme was to build and strengthen the Relational and Social Capitals of the target territories. This resulted in establishing 297 Municipal Working Groups, four Regional Working Groups (RWGs) and 22 Regional Thematic Working Groups.

At the same time, regional planning exercises were conducted in the selected sectors. The RWGsrequested training on participatory Strategic Planning thatUNDP AGL will provide within the forthcoming months.Governance, Local Economic Development, Social Welfare, Health, Environment, Gender Equity and Education are the UNDP AGL main fields of interventions at local and national levels. In anattempt to support the RWGs efforts, UNDP AGL facilitated the set-up of a number of decentralized cooperation partnerships between Lebanese and European communities.

Synthetic Information

Duration / Three years
Operation and coordination structures at the national level / National Institution: The Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR)
The National Committee (NC)is chaired by the CDR’s President and includes CDR’s Director of Planning and Programming, representatives from the Ministries of Social Affairs, Interior & Municipalities, and Economy & Trade, UNDP’s Country Director and Portfolio Manager, ART GOLD’s Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), and representatives of donor countries.
The NC, created inOctober 2007, guarantees that all the Programmes’ initiatives are implemented in accordance with Government policies and strategies to promote local governance and sustainable development. The NCsupports Working Groups, promotes initiatives for local development at national level and liaises with international partners.
The Chief Technical Advisor is in charge, in coordination with the NC, of the operational management of the programme at the central level and on a day-to-day basis. He also assumes the role of Executive Secretary to the NC.
The Area Managers are the responsible of the four Programme’s area offices.Under the overall guidance of the CTA, they are responsible for the provision of technical, coordination and managerial support to all activities at local level.
Operational and coordination structures at the local level / Chaired by local authorities,working groupsare the basic tool for promoting social dialogue and building relational capital in target areas. As instruments of territorial networking, working groupsadopt participatory methodologies and facilitate the inclusion of the most disadvantaged groups.The four RWGs created 22 Thematic Working Groups (TWGs), according to territory identified priorities. The WGs help mitigate the fragmentation that exists across national and international initiatives and mobilize additional resources for the Programme’s target areas.
UNDP AGL is supporting the implementation of four Local Economic Development Agencies(LEDA)- specialized tools to support economic territorial partnership - which will facilitate the creation of small-medium enterprises.
South Lebanon Working Groups: 170 Municipal Working Groups; oneRWG; seven TWGs on Environment, Education, Social, Youth, Health, Tourism and Economy
Bekaa Working Groups:55 Municipal Working Groups; two RWGs (one in West Bekaa and one in Rachaya); five TWGs on Education, Agriculture, Health, Environment and Economy
North Lebanon Working Groups:65 Local Working Groups across North Lebanon; one Regional Working Group; six Thematic Working Groups on Education, Health, Environment, Nahr El-Bared issue, Governance and Economy; one Municipal Working Group in Tripoli
Beirut Southern Suburbs Working Groups:Seven Municipal Working Groups; one RWG ; seven TWGs on Waste management, Potable Water, Education, Youth, Health, Social issue, and Economy.
Cooperation partners / UN Agencies:UNOPS is managing the international technical assistance of the programme
Decentralized Cooperation partners: South Lebanon:Coordination of the Italian Local Entities for Peace and Human Rights (Around 40 local administrations activated partnerships with the Municipalities of Padova, Riccione and Turin, and the Province of Ferrara), Tuscany and Catalonia Regions.Bekaa: “Les Amis du Liban” NGO of the Principality of Monaco and the Catalonia, Marche and Puglia Regions.North Lebanon:IRIS-PescaraProvince, Abruzzo, Umbria andMarche Regions, Naples, Cosenza andFolignoProvinces, ANAAO National Association. Beirut Southern Suburbs (BSS):Tuscany Region, Arezzo and Naples Province, Grosseto, Prato, Pontedera and Milan municipalities, ARET Abruzzo, ARCI/UISP Tuscany
Funds / For 2007, 2008 and 2009, the Programme has a global budget of approx. US.$. 19 M
Governments: The Italian Government has provided US$5,402,564 for the year 2007 and a total pledge of € 8,187,406 EURO for a three year period. The Belgian Government has provided US$3 M for a two year period in support of the LED component in North Lebanon and Bekaa region. The Spanish Government approved a contribution of US$ 2.2 M for 2007 and US.$. 2.2. M for 2008 in support of the four ART GOLD regions. The Principality of Monaco provided US.$. 100.000 for Bekaa. The Canadian Government is considering a contribution ofUS.$.3 M for North Lebanon.
International Partners: UNDP ARTGOLD is co-financing projects, identified by the Local Working Groups with the Italian Bilateral Cooperation, mainly in Beirut Southern Suburbs, Bekaa and South Lebanon.
National Partners: The Lebanese CDR has made a contribution of US$ 100.000 insupportof education projects identified by the North Lebanon RWG.

Results in the South LebanonArea

Implemented Projects with Decentralized Cooperation Partnerships: •

Three pilot projects addressing water management, energy saving and waste treatment are being implemented with thesupport of six Italian Municipalities and Provinces that work under the Italian Coordination of Local Authorities for Peace and Human Rights.•The Catalonia region allocatedfundsfor therestoration of a market in Chamaa, to support the Federation of Cooperatives of Chamaa and nine neighboring villages. •The Tuscany Region, ROSS Programme, Italian NGOs (UCODEP and ARCS) and UNDP AGLconcluded the formulation of a project for supporting milk and dairy production in Arabsaleem, Qana and their surroundings.

Ongoing Projects

  • Health, Social and Urban: •Construction of a public park / public market in Choaya. •Reconstruction of roads and construction of safety borders and barriers in Hasbaya, Adaisse, Qsaibe, Beit Leif, and from Alhinniye to Zibkeen.
  • Education; •Establishment of a public library with access to Internet in the villages of Blida and Braiqaa. •Rehabilitation of an IT lab in the village of Beni Hayyane village. •Provision of a photocopier to the public school in Chaqra.
  • Environment: •Provision of garbage collection vehicles to Rmeish, Yater, Teir Harfa, Deir Mimas, Kfar Hamam, Tahta and Kfair. •Construction of a sewage network system in Tibnine •Provision of a street sweeper in Khiam village. •Construction of storm water conduits in Qabrikha. •Provision of a water tanker to transport water to the village of Dibbinne. •Provision of a generator to Sir el Gharbieh. •Construction of sewage pipes in Ain Baal municipality. •Construction of storm water canals in Hanawey. •Construction of a public park and children's playground in Rmadieh. •Construction of storm water conduits of 800m length in Mazraat Meshref. •Improvement of water management and infrastructures in the Kadas of Nabatiyeh & Bint Jbei; •Reduction of the Environmental Impact of Municipal Waste Disposal Sites in Taybe. •Increasing energy efficiency and utilization of Renewable Energy Source in Tyre.
  • Agriculture: •Distribution of 190 beehives to farmers in Maroun el Ras. •Rehabilitation of natural spring and irrigation systems in Jarjoua village. •Establishment of an irrigation dripping system in Jbaa village; •Provision of a tractor to boost agriculture in Chehabieh; •Construction of a second floor to the public market in Deir Qanoun el Naher. •Rehabilitation of a market livestock in Chamaa. •Supporting milk and dairy production in Arabsaleem and Qana.

Results in the Bekaa Area

Implemented projects with Decentralized Cooperation Partnerships: •The Region of Catalonia supports the establishment of a market in Al Marj and the rehabilitation of storm open drainage canals in the Daher El Ahmar-Rashaya area and Lebaya-West Bekaa area. •The NGO “Les Amis du Liban”of Monaco’s Principality is supporting theprovision of medical equipment for the Primary Health Care Center in Houch Harimeh.

Ongoing Projects

  • Agriculture: •Rehabilitation of Agricultural Roads in Mdkoukha, Baloul, Lala, Kawkaba, Deir El Ashayer, Ain Arab, Kfar Dinnes, Mhaydseh, Kfar Mishkek, Khirbet Rouha, Bakkifa and Al Rafeed.
  • Environment: •Rehabilitation of a public garden in Bakifa. •Rehabilitation of open storm drainage canals in Daher El Ahmar and Lebaya. •Rehabilitation of a pedestrian bridge in Qelya; •Provision of mowers in Ghazeh and Jeb Janine.
  • Economy: •Rehabilitation of a river side restaurant and youth camp in Qelya. •Construction of a public market in Al Marj.
  • Health: •Construction of a Library & Dispensary in Al Saweiri. •Construction of a Primary Health Care Center and provision of Medical Equipment in Houch Harimeh. •Rehabilitation of the Social & Educational Center in Al Birreh.
  • Education: •Rehabilitation of a Public Library in Rashaya. •Rehabilitation of a public school in Tanourah. •Rehabilitation of a football playground in Daher El Ahmar•Provision of outdoor playground equipment in Jeb Janineand Mansourah. •Establishment of an IT center in Mansourah and Qeraoun. •Construction of a public school playground in Kamed El Louz. •Construction of a sports playground in Aitanit.

Results in the North Lebanon Area

Implemented projects with Decentralized Cooperation Partnerships: •The Abruzzo Regionsupports a strategic planning project in North Lebanon to foster social dialogue between local and European communities. •The Region of Umbria, FELCOS Umbria and the Province of Foligno support local beekeepers. •The Abruzzo and Marche Regions support the creation of the protected area of Akkar. CosenzaProvince will support Primary Health Care activities. • The Campania Region and NapoliProvince support projects for mitigating high school drop-out.

Ongoing Projects

  • Agriculture: •Rehabilitation of irrigation canals in Kfar Habou. •Establishment of irrigation canals in Ain Al-Ghaida. •Rehabilitation of agricultural roads in Ayn Al-Zayt village
  • Social Services: •Provision of drinking water in Assoun. •Establishment of a municipal mini-football stadium in West Tel Abbas. •Provision of an electric generator for water station in Mashta Hammoud. •Establishment of mini-football and basketball courts in Akkar Attika.
  • Education: •Rehabilitationand equipment of an IT center in Beit Al-Fakes and Al-Karkaf. •Establishment of a municipal center for technology and languages in Al-Hmaira •Establishment of a cultural municipal center in Khraibet Al-Jindi.

Results in the Beirut Southern Suburbs (BSS)

Implemented projects with Decentralized Cooperation Partnerships: •The Tuscany region and ARCI support a project to help young people at risk of social exclusion. •The Municipality of Milan supports a project on water treatment and social communication.•The province of Arezzo supports a pilot project to reorganize basic health services. •The Campania Region and the province of Napoli are formulating a pilot project to mitigate high school drop-out, in partnership with Napoli “Chance” initiative.

Ongoing Projects

  • Social:•Enhance social workers and animator’s capacities to deal with youth and to develop a youth social plan in Chiah, Forn al Chebbak and Hadath municipalities
  • Health: •Enhance primary health care system in Haret Hreik municipality.
  • Education:• Produce Maps of Risks and Resources in Schools and Neighborhoods •Implement the pilot education programme in Mreyjeh. • Implement innovative methods for education to enhance and reinforce teachers and students teaching skills through artistic and cultural activities in Mreyjeh municipality

Results at the National level

  • Monitoringpilot projects to disseminate the obtained results and replicate good practices at national level.
  • Supporting the NC in resource mobilization to help implement activities identified in the first year action plan and to promote the MDGs in the target areas.
  • Complementing the Programme actions with projects developed by other UN agencies, cooperation organizations and governmental initiatives.
  • Promoting national events in support of the pilot projects developed in the target areas.
  • Promoting information, activities and divulgation, concerning the programme good practices and achievements.
  • Finalizing the “Strategic Guidelines for LED in Lebanon” carried out by IS-LED experts on the competitive advantages of Lebanese products and the strategy for supporting them through the forthcoming LEDAs.
  • Supporting the set-up of the National Secretariat for the IDEASS initiative and promoting the first national survey on innovation for local development.
  • Supporting specific national development strategies and policies ongovernance, environment, local economic development, health, education and culture.
  • Facilitating the establishment of partnerships with all interested decentralized cooperation partners.
  • Identifyingand developing national studies and surveys on local development in Lebanon.

Results at the International Level

On September 2007 inParis, the International ART GOLD Lebanon Committee, chaired by the former French Prime Minister Pierre Mauroy and by the Italian Senator Rosa Villecco Calipari, was officially launched. Its main objectivesare to offer an international sounding board forthe requests made by the Lebanese Working Groups, especially concerning social dialogue, conflict prevention and local development. It is also the responsibility of the international committee to participate in fundraising activities and to promote and disseminate the results achieved by the Programme as a whole. The international committee represents an important opportunity to focus international political attention on the Lebanese situation and mobilise support for local communities.

With the support of UNDP ART International networks in Geneva, Spain and Italy, UNDP AGL is carrying out activities on local development, , that assure the participation of national and local partners in international events. UNDP AGLis also organizing missions for ART International experts’ to provide technical support to the Programme.

The programmes' activities also aim to promote the participation of Lebanese stakeholders in international cooperation networks, the establishment of decentralized cooperation partnerships between Lebanese and European communities and the transfer of identified innovations from and to the country. The programme also aims at:

  • Providing technical assistance through ART ISLEDA service, for setting-up four Local Economic Development Agencies (LEDAs) and guarantying theirfunctioning.
  • Promoting in Lebanon the IDEASS innovations Catalogue, to improve the quality of local development, and identifying local innovations to be promoted at international level.
  • Establishing , through ART UNIVERSITAS, cooperation partnership between international universities and Lebanese counterparts.
  • Organizing technical missions of Decentralized Cooperation partners to support the development of initiatives in ARTGOLD different action fields.
  • Organizing training on local strategic planning and participatory methodologies for Working Groups.
  • Organizing study tours to Europe to exchange experiences andbest practices
  • Organizingresource mobilization activities with Decentralized Cooperation partners.

Contacts

Marta Ruedas, RR UNDP Lebanon Email:

Amal Karaki, Sr. Social Development Expert and ARTGOLD Focal Person, CDR Lebanon

Luigi Cafiero, CTA UNDP ART GOLD Lebanon, Email:

Sergio Carioni, Decentralized Cooperation Focal PointUNDP ART GOLD

Ola Kobeissi, Reports Officer UNDP ART GOLD LebanonEmail:

Zeina Mogharbel Válles, UNDP ARTGOLD Lebanon Programme Officer

1