U.S.-Support Raises Municipal Cooperation and Improves Public-Private Partnerships around Nahr El Bared

December 5, 2009

Six Municipalities located around Nahr El Bared conducted their first workshop on December 5, 2009 to improve their capacity to design and implement socio-economic development programming that contributes to income generation, job creation and livelihood improvement. The workshop introduced mayors, council members, and local government representatives to the concepts of public-private partnerships and cooperation between municipalities that help ensure sustainability of local economic initiatives.  One of the main goals of the workshop is to improve linkages between the community and local business and finance sector stakeholders, and lay out a strategy for the area to improve local economy.

During the workshop, participants identified and discussed potential economic projects that their communities could jointly carry out to improve the economic opportunities in the areas around Nahr El Bared.  In addition, these community representatives were trained on methods to identify market opportunities and find the best ways to leverage their inherent strengths to make the most out of the communities' resources.  This project was made possible by funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) in partnership with Rene Moawad Foundation, the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, and J.E. Austin Associate, Inc. (JAA).

This project is part of USAID’s $19.9 million Municipal Capacity Building and Service Delivery program that empowers municipalities and communities in 170 villages, in North and South Lebanon and around Nahr El Bared, to engage local communities to advance income generation and job creation in rural areas.