A Campaign to Help Clean Up Communities
Young people in northern Beqaa are developing a working relationship with their municipal councils to promote development initiatives. With support from USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI), youth from the Yammuni Cultural Club (YCC) partnered with local government to hold "activism days" in the four villages of Yammuni, Taraiya, Saaide, and Inata.
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| Young community activists in Inata install a garbage bin to encourage residents to keep the village clean.
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In Inata and Saaide, the municipalities provided space where YCC held interactive workshops on conflict resolution and citizenship. Following the sessions, groups of young people distributed garbage bins in their villages. The mayors of Inata and Saaide accompanied the young workers throughout the campaign, demonstrating that decision makers can work with youth.
"Such activities made me feel confident that change can be achieved and that joining efforts will definitely lead to success and a better society," said 20-year-old Hiba Chraif.
The mayors expressed their support and willingness to assist the young activists achieve higher levels of participation in local governance, and the youths were excited about the opportunity to participate. "I felt responsible and capable of playing an effective role in my village," Hassan Chraif, 18, said.
The garbage bin distribution activities were combined with cleanup campaigns and mural painting opportunities. And the activities increased YCC's visibility and helped its young members reach out to their communities. The youth groups also contacted and coordinated efforts with local organizations such as the scouts.
The initiative attracted attention from other activists in Lebanon. "I didn't expect to see such successful planning and engagement in a region as marginalized as the northern Beqaa. My participation today proved me wrong. My opinion towards people from other sects has totally changed," said Harissa Khoury, a civic organizer with 15 years experience working with the NGO Caritas.
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"Such initiatives encourage youth to develop their villages and stimulate team work and rapprochement between communities."
—Hussein Ali Chraif, 21
youth participant in cleanup campaign
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YCC planned the activism days activities under a grant funded by OTI that included a series of training sessions on citizenship and municipal roles and responsibilities.
The group concluded the project by publishing a newsletter that not only documented the activities and their impact but also provided its youth membership with an independent platform to express thoughts on community activism.
For further information, please contact:
Marialice Ariens, Program Manager, 202-712-4031, mariens@usaid.gov
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