EU grant to support host communities

Funds to develop infrastructure, capacity

A $19 million grant was announced by the European Commission which will help local communities manage solid waste. The grant is for improving and modernizing the administrative and logistic capacities of several municipalities.

The project aims to improve the competence and efficacy of municipalities in operating solid waste infrastructure in the communities most affected by the influx of Syrian refugees.

The grant will be managed by the Office of the Minister of Administrative Affairs, OMSAR, for the construction and development of waste infrastructure. It will also help in building the capacities of local administrations to manage the sector.

This will be done through establishing environment friendly municipal regulations to organize waste management. The municipalities of Zahleh, Baalbeck, Jib Jinnine, and Srar (Akkar) will be targeted.

The grant will also be used to provide technical support in the operation and maintenance of related public facilities. Legal support will also be provided to help municipalities draft agreements and conduct required tenders. A total of 15 municipalities, including the four municipalities mentioned above, will benefit from the EU support. Beneficiaries also include the municipalities of Abbasiyeh, Meshmesh, Ansar, Jbeil, Khyam, Minieh, Nabatieh, Kabrikha, Tripoli, and Tyr.