Development in Lebanon is marked by growing urbanization, which is often poorly controlled, leading to a more rapid deterioration of natural resources, public infrastructure and the historical heritage. This situation is partly due to the low level of financial, human and legal resources of municipalities.

AFD is addressing these issues by supporting the sustainable development of cities. Our operations increase access to urban services for populations, while promoting the protection of the environment and the preservation of Lebanon’s historical heritage.

Collecting and treating wastewater 

50% of wastewater in Lebanon comes from Beirut and the surrounding regions. In the Caza of Jounieh (Keserwan, Mount Lebanon), most of the collection networks date back to the 1960s and, as there is no wastewater treatment plant, they discharge into the sea. To address the environmental emergency and the future needs of the area, AFD is cofinancing the construction of wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure in the Caza of Keserwan. 

Developing a thousand-year-old heritage 

Tripoli and Tyre are among the most remarkable archaeological sites and ancient cities in Lebanon. In addition to the damage suffered in periods of war, their heritage is affected by growing urban pressure and the deterioration of infrastructure. The Cultural Heritage and Urban Development Program (CHUD) is restoring the economic attractiveness of these cities by developing their tourism assets. CHUD is being cofinanced by AFD and the World Bank. It started in 2003 and entered into its second phase in 2014.

Lebanon, which has 4.5 million inhabitants, has hosted between 1 and 1 .5 million refugees since the onset of the Syrian conflict. The saturation of local public services increases the risk of social tensions in the country. NGOs, through their knowledge of the field and technical expertise, provide essential support to the most vulnerable populations and work in close collaboration with local authorities. 

In the context of the Syrian crisis, AFD finances projects led by NGOs for health, education and psychosocial support. Our commitment was strengthened in  2017 with the “SAWA” regional initiative for the Middle East, which aims to structure our operations in response to the Syrian crisis.

Strengthening the social action of vulnerable municipalities

As front-line actors in the management of the consequences of the Syrian refugee crisis, municipalities are often overwhelmed by the magnitude of needs. The Lebanese association Arcenciel is training community workers in 9 vulnerable municipalities thanks to AFD financing. The project aims to identify and follow-up vulnerable people and refer them to health, youth and psychosocial support services.

Access to healthcare: a tool for preventing tensions

Health services are largely inadequate in areas where there is a high concentration of refugees. The Lebanese association Amel has been working for years to improve them in terms of both volume and quantity. With our support, it has been able to develop a partnership with the NGO International Alert to raise the awareness of health workers and Lebanese and Syrian populations in terms of the management of the conflict. This project also increases access to health services through Amel’s community centers and mobile units.
 

Lebanon’s technical and vocational training system is underdeveloped and often very costly. While diploma-based training meets a real need, there is sometimes a mismatch between the skills developed and the labor market. Consequently, the technical and vocational education systems struggle to reach the most vulnerable, who often have difficulties in the context of their vocational integration.

Supporting employment for youth and vulnerable women

In the context of the Syrian refugee crisis, the technical and vocational training system is today saturated and is struggling to meet the needs of the labor market. The European Institute for Cooperation and Development (IECD, a French NGO) and its Lebanese partner, Semeurs d’Avenir (SDA), are working alongside the Ministry of Education to develop training provision and reach the most vulnerable populations, with AFD’s support.

New premises for CNAM Lebanon and the École Normale de Beyrouth

CNAM (National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts) is contributing to strengthening Lebanon’s education system, via its various centers in Lebanon, by developing professionalizing training provision accessible to as many people as possible. AFD is supporting the construction and equipment of a new common building for the Higher Institute of Applied and Economic Sciences/CNAM, which will receive 5,800 students. We are also financing the expertise required to develop appropriate training.
 

In Lebanon, rural areas are marked by the deterioration of natural resources and an agriculture sector which lacks dynamism. Agriculture, which accounts for some 5% of GDP and directly employs 10 to 20% of the working population, is a priority sector for the country. However, its equipment needs to be modernized and its agricultural productivity and the quality of its products improved.

Supporting rural development in South Lebanon

While olive oil production in Lebanon dates back over a thousand years, the lack of crop intensification, the weakness of agricultural advisory programs and the lack of infrastructure hinder its productivity. In addition, rural populations in South Lebanon were hard hit by the war in 2006. 

The Daman project has provided its support to seven olive-growing cooperatives, with three objectives: modernize production tools, provide technical expertise to improve practices, and diversify activities and sources of income.

Strengthening the rural and environmental resilience of regions affected by the Syrian crisis

The already fragile state of the environment and its natural resources is rapidly deteriorating due to the arrival of one and a half million Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The Parsifal project, financed by AFD via the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture, is improving access to and the quality of rural services and the natural environment in Akkar and Bekaa. This program is also improving economic opportunities for vulnerable populations and is helping to maintain social and community cohesion.