Blue Economy National Assessment

Year

2024 - Present

National

  1. Scoping
    2. Initiation of a comprehensive and holistic analysis of pivotal sectors compromising the Blue Economy in Lebanon, to provide an integrated evaluation of complex interdependencies and interactions. Accordingly, the 3 main sectors spotted are:
    • Marine Living Resources
    • Ports Management
    • Coastal Tourism
  1. Stakeholder Mapping
    2. Identification of multi-level key informants across the major sectors such as fisheries, tourism, and ports enabling the plotting of the engagement strategies as FGDs, KIIs, Validation Meetings, Experts’ Consultation Sessions, Site Visits:
    • Public Sector: 20
    • Private Sector: 12
    • Civil Society: 9Academia: 4
  1. Methodology Setting
    2. Later, a methodology to analyze the BE sectors, incorporating principles from Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) and the Circular Economy (CE) to enhance resource efficiency across the disciplines. A multilevel governance framework of 5 major key components was developed
  1. Policy Brief
    2. Based on the assessment, the development of sector-specific policy recommendations aimed at improving the governance of Lebanon’s marine resources. Through which tailored interventions were recommended across the below
    • Governance & regulations over the fishing and port management
    • Environmental conservation of resources
    • Ports Optimization and Control
    • Adherence to International Standards
    • Safety Standards
    • Enhancing the outlook of BE related MSMEs nationally

Lebanon Blue Economy Ideathon

Year

2024

National

In 2024, the Hariri Foundation partnered with Berytech to organize the first youth innovation competition in the Blue Economy sector, the Lebanon Blue Economy Ideathon, under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment. As part of the Innovation sector under the foundation’s Youth of the Rise of Lebanon Forum, the ideathon invites idea-stage startups, students, and young professionals to propose innovative solutions for the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources.

The free-of-charge competition aimed to engage young people from across Lebanon in developing and implementing innovative solutions for national economic and environmental development, particularly in areas such as fisheries, maritime transport, coastal tourism, and marine conservation.

Over two days, participants formed 20 teams and took part in training and collaborative sessions focused on idea generation, problem identification, agile business model development, evidence-based solutions, and stakeholder and client identification. With guidance from expert mentors, every team conceptualized a project idea and presented their sustainable solutions and business models to a panel of judges. Three standout teams were selected to receive financial prizes and to participate in a free-of-charge incubation program, allowing them to further refine and advance their innovative ideas.

DRM throughout the 2024 War

Year

Address

In September 2024, the Hariri Foundation, through the Municipal Technical Office, supported the Municipality of Saida in activating the emergency operations room for the DRM Unit to open and manage shelter centers and direct the flow of IDPs.

Since the escalation that targeted cities and villages across Lebanon, the Municipality of Saida activated its Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Unit to manage the large influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

With the technical, scientific, administrative, and logistical support provided through the Municipal Technical Office, the unit managed a wide range of operations and activities in collaboration with tens of civic organizations, government administrations, and international agencies, across ten sectors: Basic Assistance, Education, Sanitation and Hygiene, Food Security and Agriculture, Livelihoods, Protection, Shelter, Social Stability, Energy and Water, Nutrition, and Health.

Disaster Risk Management

Year

Address

In 2020, during the socioeconomic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hariri Foundation partnered with the national Disaster Risk Management (DRM) unit, the Union of Municipalities of Saida-Zahrani, and the Lebanese Red Cross to establish a local crisis and disaster risk management unit. The unit’s aim was to consolidate the efforts of all 16 Saida-Zahrani municipalities in managing crisis and disaster risks and to align them with national DRM plans.

The Hariri Foundation collaborated with national and local partners to equip and support the unit and its operations room, linking local pre-established sectoral networks with local authorities to enhance preparedness for disasters and adopting scientific indicators in disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management.

To this day, Hariri Foundation supports the unit through data management and geographic information system services, informing the unit’s strategic decisions for preparedness and multi-agency response. The foundation works with the unit to promote partnerships and tools for data-driven decision-making as well as community-based disaster risk management through outreach and joint planning with the local community.

Green Economy Action Plans for Saida

Year

2023 – 2024

Address

Saida, Lebanon

Local

In 2023, the Hariri Foundation partnered with UNEP within the framework of the EU-funded SwitchMed II Program to advance the green economy in the Saida region by developing local action plans within the Blue Economy and the Circular Economy sectors. Developed and implemented in line with the Roadmap of Saida as an Environmentally Sustainable City, the project engaged 350 stakeholders throughout a six-month consultation process.

The first component featured the development of a local Blue Economy (BE) action plan, focused on integrating sustainability into Saida’s maritime sectors. The action plan was developed and validated through an inclusive multistakeholder process in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and the Municipality of Saida.

The second component featured the development of a local action plan addressing Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) and Circular Economy (CE). The action plan underscores the vital role of SCP/CE in driving behavioral change and delivering social, economic, and environmental benefits.

The third component featured the development of customized tools and capacity-building workshops on SCP/CE for the Outreach & Leadership Academy, targeting key sectors at all levels of society, and resulting in the launch of the OLACircles program.

Property Titles for Residents of Informal Settlements

Year

2004 – Present

Address

Saida, Lebanon

National

Since 2004 to this day, the Hariri Foundation has collaborated with the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs, the Lebanese Ministry of Finance, the Public Corporation for Housing, the Governorate of South Lebanon, and the Municipality of Saida to resolve longstanding property titles in reconstruction zones of Taamir, established after Lebanon’s 1956 earthquake. The purpose of the initiative is to transfer property titles from the Lebanese state (owner of the zones) to individual owners, promoting trust and stability in these communities.

This initiative addresses the role of national and local partnerships in the development and implementation of national laws, offering a transformative approach to urban regeneration. It not only resolves individual legal concerns but also strengthened public trust in governmental institutions and demonstrated the power of inclusive, multi-stakeholder governance in urban development.

Throughout the initiative, the foundation provided technical coordination among partners, who joined forces to advance Law 583/2004 and its subsequent amendments. The foundation also provided assistance to support household applicants with the necessary legal and engineering services to finalize their applications.

Up to this day, the initiative delivered property titles to nearly 150 local residents in the Taamir areas within the Saida-Zahrani district, showcasing a successful model of collaboration. By documenting its process and lessons learned, the project presents a scalable framework for addressing similar challenges across Lebanon, contributing to sustainable urban regeneration nationwide.

Bqosta Material Recovery Facility

Year

2023 – Present

Address

Saida, Lebanon

Website

www.olacircles.com

Local

In 2023, the Hariri Foundation partnered with the Municipality of Bqosta to activate the Solid Waste sorting facility earlier established in Bqosta, Saida. The Bqosta Material Recovery Facility (BMRF) covers the collection and management of recyclable materials (including plastics, paper/cardboard, metals, and e-waste), from schools and businesses across Saida.

In line with the Outreach & Leadership Academy’s circularity program (OLACircles), BMRF stands as a unique environmental experimentation project that showcases the potential of community partnerships in closing the loop of circularity. The project aims to create a shift in citizens’ and organizations’ responsible lifestyle behaviors.

Community engagement is a cornerstone of this project, facilitated through a designated point of collection where residents can register, deliver sorted recyclables, and obtain detailed information about the program. This interaction not only enhances public awareness but also incentivizes participation by offering monetary rewards to registered who achieve specified sorting targets.

The facility runs according to advanced SOPs (standard operation procedures) and feeds into OLA’s training and awareness activities through learning and R&D. A designated, advanced digital platform was developed for the project to optimize the material recovery process. The platform functions as a comprehensive database, meticulously recording the recyclables collected and providing users with resources, tips, and guidelines to promote sorting at source.

BMRF resembles a pilot that could later contribute to the mainstreaming of circular economy practices across a national infrastructure for the treatment of recyclables (especially plastics) through public-private-civic partnerships.

For more information about BMRF and other circularity initiatives at the Hariri Foundation’s Outreach & Leadership Academy, visit, olacircles.com.

Adaptation to Climate Change through Native Based Solutions (Pilot on Water Circularity)

Year

2023 – Present

Address

Saida, Lebanon

Local

In collaboration with the Municipality of Saida and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the Hariri Foundation is leading a pilot project focused on climate change adaptation through the employment of nature-based solutions (NBS) for wastewater circularity.

The project aims to introduce nature-based solutions, particularly constructed wetlands, as a decentralized, sustainable wastewater treatment system that facilitates the reuse of treated water for irrigation and non-potable applications, while ensuring the safe release of excess water into the sea, thereby protecting both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity.

The project provides ecosystem services across four categories: provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services, ensuring sustainable management of water resources. Located at the northern entrance of Saida, adjacent to the Al-Awali River estuary, the constructed wetland will treat wastewater incoming from the river, the treated water to be used for irrigation purposes, and excess treated water to be safely released into the sea.

The site is designed to integrate the wetland with recreational and social spaces, enhancing public engagement and raising awareness of climate adaptation strategies, while ensuring social, cultural, environmental, and economic co-benefits.

In line with the environmental experimentation track of the Outreach & Leadership Academy, the project features scientific methodologies for monitoring and evaluation as well as capacity-building efforts to promote community engagement and environmental awareness.

Aga Khan Prize-Winning Restoration of Al Omari Great Mosque

Year

1982 – 1983

Address

Saida

Local

One of its first architectural projects, the Hariri Foundation’s restoration of the historic Al Omari Great Mosque marked an inflection point in the unfolding of the Lebanese civil war and Israeli aggression.

The 13th century edifice had long served as the predominant mosque of Saida, where Islamic occasions were celebrated, until it was severely affected by the aggression. Upon the community’s demand, the Hariri Foundation recruited world-renowned history and conservation expert Prof. Dr. Saleh Lamei Moustafa, who led a team of architects and engineers to resurrect the edifice to its original structure in coordination with Lebanese Ministry of Culture – Directorate of Antiquities and the Lebanese Department of Islamic Awqaf.

In 1989, the project was recognized with the international Aga Khan Award for Architecture for its architectural excellence and for its success in addressing local needs and aspirations.

Restoration and Upgrade of Key Heritage Sites in Lebanon

Year

1982 – 2019

Address

Tripoli, Saida, Baalbek

National

Since 1982, the Hariri Foundation has carried out tens of architectural restoration projects of key historical and heritage sites of cultural, social, and religious significance as well as 2000 residential units in Saida’s historic district. Those interventions reflect the commitment of the Hariri Foundation to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of Lebanese historic districts, eradicating the physical destruction due to wars and natural disasters and increasing their competitiveness as global destinations of cultural and religious tourism. Restorations were accompanied with the functional upgrade of select sites to safeguard the local community against the structural threats and risks of misuse.

Projects carried out in Saida include, but are not limited to:

  • Saida Sea Citadel
  • Khan El Franj | 1993
  • Ali Agha Hammoud Palace – Aïsha Heritage School | 1994 – 2015
  • Emir Fakhreddine Palace | 1996 – 2001
  • Saint Nicholas Cathedral | Greek Orthodox | 1996 – 1998
  • Saint Nicholas Cathedral | Greek Catholic | 1996 – 2019
  • Our Lady of the Annunciation Latin Church | 1997 – 2019
  • Our Lady of Annunciation Latin Church | 2019
  • Al Qtaishieh Mosque | 2000 – 2001
  • Al Bahr Mosque | 1992
  • Al Omari Great Mosque | 1982 – 1983
  • El Kikhia Mosque | 1992 – 1995
  • El Barranni Mosque | 1988 – 1991
  • Al Majzoub Mosque | 1982
  • Abou Nakhleh Mosque | 1982
  • Hammam El Ward | 1998
  • Hammam El Sheikh | 1998
  • Carpenter Souk | 2015
  • Goldsmiths Souk | 1997 – 1998
  • Souk Abaza | 1981 – 1982
  • Dahr El Mir Square | 1997
  • El Kashaf Square | 1998
  • El Jamee Square | 1998
  • Zakzouk Hommos Alleyway | 1997
  • Al Zweitini Public Park | 1984 – 1985 & 1997
  • Neighborhoods Alleys of Saida’s historic district | 1997
  • 2000+ Residential Units – Saida’s historic district | 1983-1998

Several other projects in other cities and villages across Lebanon, including:

  • Al Mansouri Mosque, Tripoli | 2007

Ummayad Mosque, Baalbek | 2001