Photo by GATE Lebanon

Article by Carine Harouny, Operations and Communications Officer for GATE Lebanon, RET’s local implementing partner

BEIRUT, LEBANON – Over the course of three days in late August, representatives from RET Germany visited several regions of Akkar, Lebanon to observe first-hand how a BMZ-funded project is improving food security and promoting economic development across communities.

Throughout the visit, the team observed the project’s direct impact on the targeted communities and offered several guidance to help maintain consistency with the project’s objectives. The meetings and field engagements also provided space to reinforce collaboration with local partners and to explore approaches that could further support the long-term sustainability of the interventions.

Photos by GATE Lebanon

Here’s a look at the trip, day by day:

Day 1: The team visited “Wadi Khaled” where more than 8,000m (5mi) of irrigation canals were cleaned, rehabilitated and new ones were built. 

• In “Mokayble” village, an 80 KVA generator was provided to operate the village’s water well pump, ensuring access to drinking water for approximately 450 households benefiting over 5,000 people. 
• Later in the day, the team met with 15 women and young ladies who had recently graduated from a series of vocational training courses in painting and fine arts. These courses provided participants with advanced practical skills aligned with labor market needs to support income-generation opportunities. 
• Beneficiaries proudly showcased their final art projects, which included drawing, coloring, wool weaving on looms, mosaic works and traditional handicrafts.

Day 2: The day featured a Training of Trainers (TOT) Lifeguard and Swimming Training Certificate Ceremony, where 27 program participants celebrated the completion of a condensed 45-hours training program that combined practical and theoretical courses. 

• Later, the team attended the inauguration ceremony of a newly established modern seedling greenhouse in Akkar, marking an important step toward strengthening Lebanon’s local food systems. This initiative, implemented by the World Food Programme and funded by BMZ, aims to expand the vegetable nursery to meet the growing demand for seedlings in this agriculturally rich region.
• The training enhanced professional competencies while simultaneously addressing critical community safety needs. 

Photos by GATE Lebanon

Day 3: The team held a meeting with the Nahr El Ostwan cluster committee at the Union office to review municipal needs and explore strategies to improve local capacities. 

• They also visited an integrated pest management (IPM) field training session on kaki, which focused on the use of traps to monitor insects as a means of reducing pesticide use. 
• The day concluded with a meeting at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture in Tripoli (CCIAT) and the North, during which collaboration was confirmed to support women through the Start Your Business program, as well as to enhance future coordination. 
• They were also introduced to CCIAT’s future plans, which include smart agriculture, the use of technology in farming, and broader development initiatives for the northern region. The program aims to provide tailored training to help participants transform their ideas into sustainable businesses.

Field visits like this help give a firsthand look at the projects and their impact on local communities. They also provide opportunities for strengthening our relationships with local authorities, organizations, and program participants. In Lebanon, and across the world, RET Germany strives to create more resilient and empowered communities. To learn more about our work in Lebanon, visit retgermany.org/lebanon   

This project, Improving Food Security and Livelihoods, Integrating Women and Vulnerable Groups, and Promoting Gender Equality in Northern Lebanon, has been made possible by generous funding from BMZ and is implement by RET Germany and GATE Lebanon.

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