Sowing the seeds of change through private sector partnership

The ILO Building Inclusive Markets and Decent Work for Syrian Refugees and Lebanese Host Communities (BOUZOUR) project, funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), is working to strengthen agricultural value chains, particularly in the cherry sector, to create decent jobs and improve livelihoods. The BOUZOUR project employs the ILO’s Approach to Inclusive Market Systems (AIMS) to safeguard jobs and livelihoods of vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian communities affected by the crises in Lebanon, and to encourage decent job creation for both groups in sectors with potential.

One of the key value chains the BOUZOUR project targets is the cherry sector, which has untapped potential for export growth and season extension. With the right support, Lebanese farmers can access new markets, increase their revenues, and boost job creation. Through the project’s pilot scheme, ILO is working with private sector actors like Nasr Rahme, an agricultural company, to bridge the gap between farmers and international markets. The project provides technical guidance, cost-sharing for investments, and ensures that farmers receive training, inputs, and access to new market opportunities.