"WATAD" project in Lebanon

Historically marginalized, the city of Tripoli, currently the poorest in the Mediterranean region, is deeply affected by the crisis in Lebanon. It is also the scene of frequent intercommunal clashes, which threaten its stability. Extreme poverty is mainly concentrated in the neighborhoods of Bab el Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen.

Job opportunities and economic development, which contribute to stability and cohesion in both neighborhoods, are highly dependent on initiatives that sustain vocational training and support to a private sector mainly composed of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).

This is the role of Ruwwad Al Tanmeya, an NGO located halfway between the two neighborhoods, which has been working for 10 years to bring the two communities together and improve the living conditions of the people of Tripoli and North Lebanon.

The project aims to enhance the standard of living of vulnerable populations in Northern Lebanon, in particular the neighborhoods of Jabal Mohsen and Bab el Tebbaneh.

The project has three specific objectives:

• to support the creation of new businesses and existing ones to reinforce the local economy;
• to strengthen the capacity of Ruwwad Al Tanmeya;
• to improve social cohesion between communities.

It is organized around two components:

• Support for the development of existing businesses through the launch of an acceleration fund.
• Ruwwad Al Tanmeya capacity building for entrepreneurship support and self-financing.

The project will be implemented by Ruwwad Al Tanmeya. Youth receiving scholarships from the NGO will support beneficiary entrepreneurs as part of their community service hours.

• Support existing small enterprises to ensure their sustainability;
• Maintain or create jobs;
• Improve the employability of vulnerable people;
• Support Ruwwad Al Tanmeya’s activities and long-term capacities;
• Strengthen social and inter-community cohesion in Tripoli and North Lebanon.