Conflict Prevention and Peace Building in North Lebanon

Background

The joint Programme was designed by UNRWA, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP, ILO and UNESCO based on national goals and priorities for youth, women, and building a national platform for peace. Efforts are underway at the national level to prevent further national polarization and tensions; however they have been sporadic and largely political in nature. Civil society organizations, especially youth and women’s associations, in tandem with local government and development groups, while under-resourced, are widely acknowledged as being positive agents of change. This programme will reinforce their capacities and provide them with an enabling environment for contributing to the national efforts of peace building.

More specifically, UNDP and ILO will strengthen the capacities of national stakeholders and local public entities to mainstream peace building and conflict prevention in their local and regional initiatives. This holistic capacity development approach of inclusive participation of different actors at the community level, such as municipalities, cooperatives, employers associations, trade unions, religious leaders and youth and women’s groups, will create an enabling environment contributing to national reconciliation and mutual agreement on common grounds for national dialogue. As such, UNDP and ILO will resort to the expertise of specialized NGOs and institutions in Conflict Transformation that will take into account the Lebanese context and tailor the interventions as per national capacity needs. Moreover, UNDP and ILO will identify the key economic sectors, liaise with existing local committees, or establish new ones where not available, to sustain the socio-economic initiatives and enhance the involvement and ownership of the community members.

Objectives

The main objective of this project is to mitigate the risk of relapse into violent conflict through promotion of socio-economic development and peace building in particularly conflict sensitive communities in North Lebanon. It focuses on:

• Identification and promotion of sustainable conflict prevention tools to facilitate resolution of inter-and intra communal tensions between Palestinian and Lebanese communities.
• Implementation of equitable socio-economic development interventions decreasing the divide amongst the communities.
• Promotion of youth and women’s empowerment through active participation in local level development and peace building.

Expected results

Upon completion of the project, the following results will be achieved:

• Role of formal Lebanese-Palestinian resolution mechanisms and Lebanese-Palestinian Dialogue Committee (LPDC), strengthened.
• Four forums in support of community-based conflict resolution and social service delivery initiatives in selected area of intervention established and operational. (1.Ain El-Helwe, 2. Beddawi and surrounding Lebanese municipality 3. Nahr el-Bared and surrounding Lebanese municipalities, 4. Jabal Mohsen and Bab El Tabbaneh).
• Culture of Peace, Human Rights & Gender Mainstreaming Capacities of Women Committees & NGOs in 8 Communities of the targeted areas strengthened.
• Conflict resolution capacities of Youth and NGOs/CBOs working with youth in the selected areas improved.
• Capacities of the Popular Committees Improved, Particularly with Regard to the Formulation & Enforcement Code of Conduct in Selected Camps.
• A Media Campaign to Raise Leb.-Pal. Issues, & Position the Role of the UN in the Media, Conducted.
• Local stakeholders’ capacities in 15 communities strengthened in the areas of inclusive local governance, and social development planning.
• Local Economic Development Plans in 15 Communities Developed.
• Socio-Economic Initiatives in 15 Communities Implemented.