Strengthening the long-term resilience of subnational authorities in countries affected by the Syrian and Iraqi crises

04.03.2020

The aim of this project is to strengthen social stability across Lebanon and promote municipalities’ crucial engagement at the service delivery and social cohesion levels.

 

  • Budget: € 24.9 million (€ 14.9 million for Lebanon)
  • Location: Lebanon (Unions of municipalities of Tyre, Al Fayhaa and Metn North)
  • Date of project: January 2019 – December 2021
  • Implementing Partner: UNDP and UN Habitat

The increase in population since the start of the Syrian crisis has put Lebanese public institutions under extreme pressure to deliver basic services and maintain quality public infrastructure. In a context of shrinking national resources and pre-existing fragilities, local authorities are some of the most acutely impacted by these deficiencies, struggling to provide for an ever-growing vulnerable population.

In this context, the European Union is committed to supporting Lebanon in strengthening social stability across the country by testing new approaches to improve the effectiveness of municipalities and local authorities in service delivery.

Through capacity building and enhanced coordination capabilities, the present programme seeks to promote municipalities’ crucial engagement at the service delivery and social cohesion levels, notably by providing increased funding, empowering human resources, and enhancing collaboration and communication between central and subnational governments. These efforts are also seen as a way to increase citizens’ trust in their local authorities and subsequent social cohesion, as well as a gateway to an effective gradual decentralisation process.