The Building Alliance for Local Advancement, Development, and Investment (BALADI) program celebrated the inauguration of a community development project to promote rural tourism in Douma (Batroun district). BALADI is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is implemented by the René Moawad Foundation (RMF). USAID provided $199,592 to establish a hostel for tourists at the existing sports club premises in Douma and to rehabilitate its football and basketball facilities. The municipality of Douma and Douma Club contributed around $33,000 in rehabilitation work and equipment.
The event was attended by USAID Mission Director, Dr. Anne Patterson, RMF executive director, Michel Moawad, the Mayor of Douma, Joseph Maalouf, the President of Douma club Mrs. Sabah Maalouf, heads of municipalities of surrounding towns in Batroun district, and members of parliament, community members, and other local stakeholders.
The project, developed by the municipality and community of Douma, will promote eco-tourism in the village and will increase the revenues of 25 women-owned businesses that sell home-made jams, preserves, and handicrafts during festivals and events. At least four long-term jobs and two seasonal jobs will be created at the center The project is expected to annually host 600 visitors at the new dormitories, and attract 2,000 youth from the region to the sports fields.
The USAID BALADI project assists municipalities in implementing needed community development activities, especially those most responsive to local host community needs. This support improves municipalities’ capability to work in an inclusive way with its citizens to accomplish local development activities and improve public service delivery. Such activities meet community needs in several sectors, including: solar electricity generation; irrigation and access to potable water; equipment for public schools and community health clinics or social and sports centers; and income generation through rural tourism, agro-processing, entrepreneurship, and skills training. Since 2012, BALADI has supported a total of 87 projects in 22 districts throughout Lebanon, engaged with more than 140 municipalities.
More information on the BALADI program can be found on http://baladi-lebanon.org/en
