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; but is a country characterized by marginalization of its peripheral areas, mainly Akkar in the North, Bekaa in the East, and South Lebanon. The South Lebanon marginalization was often exacerbated by the long-lasting occupations and wars.

UNDP ART GOLD Lebanon is being implemented in the four neediest areas where the scores of poverty rates mount high, the socio-economic problems are enormous, and the convergence between deprivation and the effects of the July 2006 war took place. The ART GOLD Lebanon main aim however is to support the Lebanese national government and local communities in achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

UNDP ARTGOLD Lebanon utilizes the Local Development methodology, which relies upon the territorial networks and partnerships, which are extremely poor in the Lebanese target areas. To this end, the first steps of the programme aimed at building and strengthening the Relational and Social Capitals of the target territories. Establishing 297 Municipal, 4 Regional Working Groups (RWGs) and 22 Regional Thematic Working Groups.

At the same time, regional planning exercises started in the selected sectors. The RWG requested trainings on participatory Strategic Planning, and UNDP ARTGOLD Lebanon will provide it within the forthcoming months. Governance, Local Economic Development, Social Welfare, Health, Environment, Gender Equity and Education are the UNDP ART GOLD main fields of interventions at local and national levels. To support the Regional Working Groups efforts, UNDP ARTGOLD Lebanon facilitated the set-up of a number of decentralized cooperation partnerships between Lebanese and European communities.

SYNTHETIC INFORMATION

Duration 3 years

Operation and National Institution: The Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) coordination structures at The National Committee (NC) is chaired by the CDR’s President and includes CDR’s Director the national of Planning and Programming, representatives from the Ministries of Social Affairs, Interior & level 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 in October 2007, guarantees that all the Programmes’ initiatives are implemented in accordance with the Government’s policies and strategies to promote local governance and sustainable development. It supports the Working Groups, promotes initiatives for local development at national level and liaises with the 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 the at the local level.

Operational Working Groups, chaired by the local authorities, are the basic tool for promoting social and dialogue and building the relational capital in the target areas. As instruments of territorial coordination networking, they adopt participatory methodologies and facilitate the inclusion of the most structures at disadvantaged groups. The 4 Regional1 Working Groups (RWGs) created 22 Thematic the local level Working Groups (TWGs), according to the priorities of their territories. The WGs play a crucial role in mitigating the fragmentation of national and international initiatives and attracted additional resources towards the Programme’s target areas. The Programme has also created 22 Focus Groups, integrated by representatives of groups of interest, in chare of identifying and defining shared problems and solutions. structures at disadvantaged groups. The 4 Regional Working Groups (RWGs) created 22 Thematic the local level Working Groups (TWGs), according to the priorities of their territories. The WGs play a crucial role in mitigating the fragmentation of national and international initiatives and attracted additional resources towards the Programme’s target areas. The Programme has also created 22 Focus Groups, integrated by representatives of groups of interest, in chare of identifying and defining shared problems and solutions.

UNDP ARTGOLD is supporting the implementation of 4 Local Economic Development Agencies (ADEL), economic specialized tools of the territorial partnership, which will facilitate the creation of small-medium enterprises.

South Lebanon Working Groups: 170 Municipal Working Groups; 1 Regional Working Group; 7 Thematic Working groups: Environment, Education, Social, Youth, Health, Tourism and Economy Bekaa Working Groups: 55 Municipal Working Groups; 2 Regional Working Groups (1 in West Bekaa and 1 in Rachaya); 5 Thematic Working Groups on Education, Agriculture, Health, Environment and Economy North Lebanon Working Groups: 65 Local Working Groups across North Lebanon; 1 Regional Working Group; 6 Thematic Working Groups on Education, Health, Environment, Nahr El-Bared issue, Governance and Economy; 1 Municipal Working Group in Tripoli Beirut Southern Suburbs Working Groups: 7 Municipal Working Groups; 1 Regional Working Groups; 7 Thematic Working Groups on Waste management, Potable Water, Education, Youth, Health, Social issue, Economy.

Cooperation UN Agencies: UNOPS is managing the international technical assistance of the programme partners 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-Pescara Province, Abruzzo, Umbria and Marche Regions, Naples, Cosenza and Foligno Provinces, 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 5,402,564 USD for the year 2007 and a total pledge of 8,187,406 EURO for a three year period. The Belgian Government has provided 3 M USD for a two year period in support of the LED component in North Lebanon and Bekaa. The Spanish Government approved a contribution of US$ 2.2 M for 2007 and US.$. 2.2. M for 2008 in support of the 4 ART GOLD regions. The Principality of Monaco provided US.$. 100.000 for Bekaa. The Canadian Government is considering a contribution of US.$.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 for support to education projects identified by the North Lebanon RWG.

RESULTS IN THE SOUTH LEBANON AREA

Implemented Projects with Decentralized Cooperation Partnerships: •Three pilot projects dealing with water management, energy saving and waste treatment are being implemented with the support of 6 Italian Municipalities and Provinces working under the Italian Coordination of Local Authorities for Peace and Human Rights. •The Catalonia region provided funds for the Restoration of a market in Chamaa, in support of the Federation of Cooperatives of Chamaa and 9 neighboring villages. •The Tuscany Region, ROSS Programme, Italian NGOs (UCODEP and ARCS) and ART GOLD concluded 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. 2 • 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 vehicules 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 a 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 the provision 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 public garden in Bakifa. •Rehabilitation of open storm drainage canal 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 a football playground in Daher El Ahma. •Porvision of outdoor playground equipment in Jeb Janine and 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 Region Abruzzo supports 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 the local beekeepers. •The Abruzzo and Marche Regions support the creation of the protected area of Akkar. Cosenza Province will support Primary Health Care activities. • The Campania Region and Napoli Province support projects for mitigating the 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 BEIRUTH SOUTHERN SUBURBS (BSS)

Implemented projects with Decentralized Cooperation Partnerships: •The Tuscany region and ARCI support a project to help young people who risk social exclusion. •The Municipality of Milan support to a project for water treatment and social communication. •The province of Arezzo support to a pilot project for the reorganization of basic health services. •The Campania Region and the province of Napoli are formulating a pilot project for mitigating the 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 3 • Health: •Enhance primary health care system in Haret Hreik municipality. • Education: •Production of Communita Maps of Risks and Resources in Schools and Neighborhoods •Pilot education programme in Mreyjeh. • Implementation of 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

• Monitoring of the pilot projects for the dissemination of the obtained results and replication of good practices at the national level. • Supporting the NC in resources mobilization, in the implementation of activities identified in the first year action plan and in promoting the MDGs in the target areas. • Articulating the Programme’s 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 and activities divulgation, concerning the program’s good practices and achievements. • Finalization of 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 concerning governance, environment, local economic development, health, education and culture. • Facilitating the establishment of partnerships with all interested decentralized cooperation partners. • Identification and develop national studies and surveys on local development in Lebanon.

RESULTS AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

On September 2007 in Paris, 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 objectives are to offer an international sounding board to the requests made by the Lebanese Working Groups, especially concerning social dialogue, conflict prevention and local development, to participate in fundraising activities and disseminate the results achieved by the Programme. It represents an important opportunity to focus international political attention on the Lebanese situation and mobilise support for the local communities.

UNDP ARTGOLD Lebanon is carrying out activities on local development, with the support of UNDP ART International networks in Geneva, Spain and Italy, in order to assure the participation of national and local partners in international events and the organization of ART International experts’ missions to provide technical support to the Programme.

The programs' 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. • Provide technical assistance through ART ISLEDA service, for setting-up four Local Economic Development Agencies (LEDAs) and guarantying their functioning. • Promoting in Lebanon the IDEASS innovations Catalogue, to improve the quality of the local development, and identifying the local innovations to be promoted at international level. • Establishing, through ART UNIVERSITAS, cooperation partnerships 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 trainings on local strategic planning and participatory methodologies intended to the Working Groups. • Organizing study tours to Europe to exchange experiences concerning best practices • Organizing resource mobilization activities with Decentralized Cooperation partners.

CONTACTS

Marta Ruedas, RR UNDP Lebanon Email: [email protected] Zena Ali-Ahmad, Assistant of the RR UNDP Lebanon Email: [email protected] Luigi Cafiero, CTA UNDP ART GOLD Lebanon, Email: [email protected] Sergio Carioni, Decentralized Cooperation Focal Point UNDP ART GOLD Lebanon [email protected] Ola Kobeissi, Reports Officer UNDP ART GOLD Lebanon Email: [email protected]

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