The "Peace Building in Lebanon" project aims at analyzing the underlying causes of conflict in different areas in Lebanon, in order to provide a safe common space for community groups to discuss their concerns openly, and to develop, in partnership with the municipality, a strategy for reducing tensions through the development of Mechanisms for Social Stability (MSS).
The conflict analysis exercise was carried out throughout 38 villages in the South, Bekaa, North and Mount Lebanon while the process of participatory development of local mechanisms will follow.
In Zgharta, due to local conditions and the request of the municipality, the mechanism development task moved at a quicker pace. A local plan aimed at reducing tensions between Lebanese residents and Syrian refugees was discussed in a workshop gathering local and international NGOs with the municipality.
As for the Tripoli MSS, they concluded two of their three tasks. The joint youth playback troupe was trained and started its performances in the area and the workshop for the local young women leaders was held. Also, the "Harake Barake" movement, bringing together disabled casualties from both sides of Jabal Mohsen and Bab el Tabbaneh to PEACE BUILDING THROUGH LOCAL COMMUNITIESwork on common needs, was established and developed its plan of action. The plan is being put to work.
The mechanism development phase in Mount Lebanon and Bekaa started with the validation of the outcomes of the Conflict Analysis (CA) phase. Field visits are currently taking place in the targeted villages. The aim of the visits is to validate what local stakeholders had agreed upon during the CA retreat in order to be able to move to the next phase of the MSS process (the Mechanism Development Phase).
As a result, more than 120 local actors representing 18 villages are currently involved in the discussions of the mechanism development.
The West Bekaa villages, Sawiri, Kefraya, Jeb Jennine and Kamed El Loz, concluded the Mechanism implementation phase which was conducted through the implementation of social and sports activities.
As for the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) staff capacity building phase II, 110 MoSA officials attended the 3rd training workshop which aimed at understanding theories of change, as well as the distinction between peace building and conflict sensitivity