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Lebanon: AFD, IECD and Semeurs d’Avenir Launch the "Maharat Li Loubnan 2" Project to Support Technical and Professional Training and Entrepreneurship for Vulnerable Populations
Under the high patronage of the French Ambassador to Lebanon, H.E. Mrs. Anne Grillo, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Institut Européen de Coopération et Développement (IECD), in partnership with the NGO “Semeurs d’Avenir”, officially launched today, at the national center for technical training in Dekwaneh, the vocational training and entrepreneurship project for vulnerable populations affected by the crises, entitled : "Maharat Li Loubnan 2".
This project is funded by France, through a 5M EUR grant by AFD, and implemented by IECD and “Semeurs d'Avenir”, a Lebanese civil society organization (CSO). The project aims to contribute to the creation of sources of income for vulnerable Lebanese and refugee populations, especially youth and women, seeking at improving their living conditions and social cohesion through the support of small entrepreneurs, training and professional integration.
H.E. Ambassador Anne Grillo noted that this project is yet another embodiment of France’s support to vulnerable populations in Lebanon: "France supports youth in Lebanon by contributing to the development of their skills and accompanying them in their initiatives. The entrepreneurial energy and the talents of youth in Lebanon should be encouraged and harnessed in the local economy."
Thanks to the "Maharat Li Loubnan 2" project, 1,165 vulnerable people (50% of whom are women and 30% refugees) will benefit from short training courses and skills development in four regions: Beirut/Mount Lebanon, North, Bekaa, and South. 550 entrepreneurs (start-ups or established small businesses) will benefit from multidimensional support. In addition, two long training courses, the Technical Baccalaureate in Industrial Maintenance and in Computer Programming, will be consolidated through the support of eight technical schools and the accompanying of six directors of these schools within the framework of individualized coaching.
AFD's Deputy Director in Lebanon Mr. Thierry Liscia shared that “this joint project between “Semeurs d'Avenir”, a Lebanese CSO, and a French CSO historically established in Lebanon, such as IECD, is a successful example of aid localization”. He continued: “Lebanese CSOs are on the front line in the field, in close contact with trainers, partner institutions and beneficiaries for an efficient implementation. The education - vocational training - employment continuum is among AFD's priorities as youth and the many entrepreneurs are key to the country's future.”
IECD Director of operations in Lebanon, Mr. Vianney Basse, highlighted the importance of “Maharat Li Loubnan 2”, and said: "IECD is more than ever convinced that vocational training and access to employment for young people are key factors for Lebanon's development. We would like to thank AFD for its trust: this new partnership will allow us to reinforce our current programs and to open new ones that are closer to the work opportunities offered by this country and the needs of the Lebanese population.”
"Thanks to this new support from AFD, at a crucial moment for Lebanon and the future of its youth, “Semeurs d’Avenir” will be able to continue to develop and bring its expertise to new partners and beneficiaries," declared Mr. Karim Oseiran, Director of "Semeurs d’Avenir".
This project will also contribute in reducing social tensions in the various regions concerned, by improving the individual professional integration prospects of the trainees and by promoting cooperation between people from different communities. The project will also contribute to deconstructing stereotypes regarding women's employment and entrepreneurship.
The "Maharat Li Loubnan 2" project, which will run for three years, is a continuation of the project with the same name implemented since 2017 by the IECD and Semeurs d’Avenir, with the support of the AFD, while taking into account the context of multiple crises that Lebanon is currently experiencing.
The ceremony was held in the presence of the Director General of Technical and Vocational Education, Dr. Hanadi Berri, the Director General of the Ministry of Labor, Mrs. Marleine Atallah, the Director General of the Ministry of Industry, Mr. Dani Gédéon, the Director General of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Mr. Abdallah Ahmad; as well as Mr. Thierry Liscia, Deputy Director of AFD in Lebanon, Mr. Vianney Basse, Country Director of IECD in Lebanon, and Mr. Karim Osseiran, Director of Semeurs d'Avenir, as well as group of trainers and trainees. The event ended with a tour of the training facility where H.E. the Ambassador was keen on exchanging words with the trainees and trainers present.
Press Contact: Lara Fahs, Regional Communications Manager, Agence Française de Développement