Mingasson: A successful partnership between the EU, RMF and local authorities
Moawad: The project offers a model to be adapted in the various parts of the country as part of a national strategy

As part of the SUDEP projects, funded by the EU, RMF concluded the ‘Towards Sustainable Energy Consumption In Select Local Communities Of Northern Lebanon’ project. The event was attended by a large gathering under the patronage of the Minister of Energy and Water, Cesar Abi Khalil.
The event took place at Hotel Royal – Dbayeh and was attended by Irène Mingasson, Head of Unit Regional Cooperation Neighbourhood South DG NEAR, the European Commission; Dr Joseph Al Assad representing the Minister of Energy and Water Cesar Abi Khalil; Peter Farah representing the Minister of Social Affairs Pierre Bou Assi; RMF’s Executive Director Michel Moawad; Cyril Dewaleyne, Energy and Climate Change Programme Manager, DG NEAR, the European Commission; Carole Rigaud Project Manager, EU Delegation to Lebanon; in addition to presidents of Municipal Unions, more than 250 mayors from the various parts of Lebanon, technical experts and representatives of donors and organisations.

Brief description of the project
‘Towards Sustainable Energy Consumption In Select Local Communities Of Northern Lebanon’ project, is a project funded by the EU and implemented by RMF in partnership with the Municipality of Ardeh. It is part of the SUDEP projectsز
The project developed a strategy on Energy Efficiency in Ardeh and put a policy of Energy Efficiency for new buildings. It also retrofitted street lights with high-efficiency LED to save energy, and developed a design guideline for energy efficient new municipal buildings. It installed PV systems to illuminate 6 main areas around the Ardeh town, and held training of staff on energy efficiency solutions and financing.
The project also included conducting energy audit on 300 homes, and implementing energy efficiency measures. It implemented public awareness sessions and developed, promoted and distributed 10,000 guidebooks on residential efficient energy use.

Beirut, 6 July 2017 – The USAID-funded Building Alliance for Local Advancement, Development, and Investment (BALADI) program launched the third call for proposals to support municipal development projects that respond to Lebanese host community needs. The launching took place at a press conference held at the Beirut Symposium in Sin El Fil in the presence of USAID Lebanon Mission Director Dr. Anne Patterson, RMF Executive Director Mr. Michel Moawad, and Mrs. Racha Hourani representing the Head of the Office of Common Administration at the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities General Elias Khoury.

Started in September 2012, BALADI assists municipalities to improve public service delivery with a focus on projects that encourage inclusive cooperation with citizens to accomplish shared goals. The BALADI project announced two earlier calls for municipal applications in 2013 and 2015, respectively, and selected 57 projects for grant-based funding, engaging more than 130 municipalities throughout Lebanon. These activities are meeting the needs of host communities by providing back-up electric power through solar energy generation, health services, public school improvement, and other social services. The supported activities will benefit more than 100,000 people by September 2017.

USAID has just extended the BALADI project through September 2018 in response to the continuing needs of host communities and vulnerable areas in Lebanon, particularly in light of the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis. The BALADI project, through Rene Moawad Foundation, will support an estimated eleven to twenty new municipal-led local development activities nationwide. BALADI assistance will be considered for projects that primarily require equipment and machinery, can be implemented in four months, and have an immediate and sustainable impact for a significant number of beneficiaries. BALADI grants could reach up to $100,000 for each supported activity. The beneficiary municipality and community are expected to contribute 20% of project costs, in kind or in cash.

Details on BALADI project assistance, selection criteria, orientation sessions for interested applicants, and how municipalities may apply, can be found on the BALADI website http://baladi-lebanon.org/en

Proposals must be submitted by August 10, 2017.

During the month of April, the USAID BALADI-supported municipal blood testing laboratory in Deir Eimar (Minieh-Dinnieh district) implemented by RMF collaborated with the Lebanese Nursing Syndicate to organize its first health awareness event in partnership with “Ibdaouna” Social Association of Deir Eimar, Future Scout in Lebanon, Beirut Arab University (BAU), The Lebanese Red Cross and the Blood Bank.
“Your health is your responsibility” event was held at the public square of Deir Eimar Municipality and showcased five medical stations including services and information on Diabetes, Blood Pressure, Physical body mass, Dialysis and Blood Donation. 220 persons attended the event and benefited from the free medical checkups, consultations and preventive and therapeutic advices at the stations. Moreover, the USAID-Supported Blood Testing Laboratory in Deir Eimar offered 50% discount vouchers to the visitors who needed medical tests.
The USAID BALADI project implemented by Rene Moawad Foundation contributed $124K to establish the blood testing laboratory in the existing municipal dispensary; the blood testing section had been identified by the municipality and community as a direct need to serve host community and refugees. USAID assistance included making the lab accessible to persons with disabilities, equipping it with the needed machines and testing instruments, and training staff on management, operation, and accounting.