Description of Opportunity

This brief provides a simple and clear explanation of the objective of the opportunity and the activities required to implement it. Where this profile is the first thing donors read.

The “Sawa Mnehmiya” initiative is a youth-led initiative that aims to strengthen social cohesion, environmental awareness, and a sense of belonging to Lebanon’s natural and cultural heritage. It brings together a group of young people from Beirut with youth from the Bekaa region, particularly Rashaya and Dahr El Ahmar, through a shared interactive experience that gives them the opportunity to meet, exchange experiences, and discover the environmental and cultural diversity of their respective areas.

The initiative is based on the idea that protecting the environment and heritage is a shared responsibility that brings young people together regardless of their regions or backgrounds, and that environmental and cultural activities can provide a practical space for building bridges of communication, strengthening trust and cooperation, and reducing stereotypes among youth from different areas.

Initiative Objectives

The “Sawa Mnehmiya” initiative aims to:

Strengthen communication and interaction between youth from Beirut, Rashaya, and Dahr El Ahmar.
Promote social cohesion through shared activities and experiences that bring together young people from different regions and backgrounds.
Raise participants’ awareness of the importance of nature reserves and biodiversity and the need to preserve them.
Introduce young people to responsible practices and behaviors they can adopt to contribute to protecting the environment and natural reserves.
Strengthen young people’s sense of belonging and responsibility toward Lebanon’s natural and cultural heritage.
Introduce participants to the history and heritage of the Rashaya area and its main natural and historical landmarks.
Develop participants’ communication, teamwork, dialogue, and cooperation skills.
Encourage young people to become active contributors to spreading environmental awareness and preserving heritage within their communities.
Proposed Activities

The initiative begins with an introductory gathering bringing together youth from Beirut, Rashaya, and Dahr El Ahmar. It will include ice-breaking and introductory activities, followed by an interactive discussion on the concept of social cohesion and the shared responsibility of protecting the environment and heritage.

The participants will then take part in a field-based experience to learn about ways to preserve natural reserves, the importance of biodiversity, and the responsible behaviors that should be followed when visiting natural areas. The activity will also include a discussion on the role of young people in protecting natural resources and promoting these practices within their communities.

The program also includes a visit to Al Yabse Nature Reserve, where participants will gain practical insight into the importance of protecting natural spaces and ecosystems and take part in awareness-raising and interactive activities related to environmental conservation.

The initiative also includes a tour introducing participants to the historical and cultural heritage of Rashaya. This will include a visit to the Independence Citadel, where participants will learn about its historical importance and role in Lebanon’s national memory, as well as a visit to Rashaya’s historic souk to explore the area’s traditional character, local crafts, and customs.

Throughout the visits, participants will be divided into mixed groups from Beirut and the Bekaa and encouraged to engage in dialogue and work together through interactive activities and questions. These activities will help them identify shared values and interests and exchange perspectives on the environment, heritage, belonging, and community responsibility.

Link to Social Cohesion

The “Sawa Mnehmiya” initiative goes beyond being an environmental or cultural visit. It uses shared experiences as a means of strengthening social cohesion. Bringing together young people from Beirut, Rashaya, and Dahr El Ahmar in mixed groups creates a safe space for interaction, dialogue, and cooperation, while helping participants move beyond geographical and social differences and discover the values and interests they have in common.