Youth-led, homegrown projects are making changes throughout Lebanon. They are increasing the transparency of local government hospitals and municipalities, tackling corruption at the Lebanese University, and reducing bribery in public institutions. Although many of these successes were made possible with international assistance, youth campaign ideas have thus far outpaced the ability to secure funding.
This past September, IREX brought Lebanon’s youth leaders face-to- face with international donors, giving the young activists the opportunity to engage with funders (including representatives from the UK, the EU, the US, Japan, and more), and the donors a chance to learn firsthand what Lebanon’s youth are doing to change their communities.
The event kicked off with a 12-minute documentary showcasing the work of grantees from the US Department of State’s Youth Civil Society Leadership Program (YCSL), administered by IREX. The youth leaders then detailed how they are promoting transparency and accountability throughout Lebanon by creating anti-corruption billboards and monitoring the delivery of potable water in North Lebanon, fighting the illegal sale of pharmaceuticals to minors in Jabel Mohsen, improving the lighting conditions in Haddath to create a safer environment, and placing complaint boxes near local municipalities in southern Lebanon for citizens to voice their opinions, among several other initiatives.
Members of youth-led NGOs also discussed the projects they are implementing through the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Strategic Programme Fund-sponsored Youth Community Empowerment Program (YCEP). Specifically, they explained how they are uniting youth from divided communities by mobilizing them to participate in volunteer opportunities, creating plays to help youth overcome religious and political differences, and dispelling stereotypes about other groups by carrying out a “student swap” among schools in diverse communities.
In response to the youth leaders’ presentations, the donors provided information on funding opportunities available to the youth groups to continue their anti-corruption initiatives. Representatives from the European Union’s donor community encouraged the youth and the NGOs to apply for grants through their Strengthening Youth Civil Society program. Denise Herbol, the USAID Mission Director in Lebanon, distributed information about small grants programs, as well as the contact information of other USAID-funded partners. Other funders, including representatives from the US and UK Embassies and the Middle East-based Foundation for the Future, discussed avenues for cooperation and potential partnerships for the youth leaders.
Bringing these groups together reenergized the youth leaders to build upon their projects. They have shown that they have the vision, the will, and commitment to implement successful civil society projects when funding and guidance are available. Events such as this conference and programs such as those mentioned above are working to help curb corruption, increase transparency and accountability, and empower youth to bridge sectarian divide throughout Lebanon.
YCSL, is a program of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor [7] of the US Department of State. IREX partners with the Lebanese Transparency Association (LTA) [8], in its implementation. YCEP is funded by the Global Opportunities Fund of the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office [9]and is implemented by IREX Europe and IREX.
