USAID grants $80 million for community support efforts

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched the Community Support Program (CSP), which is designed to support vulnerable communities by enhancing economic opportunities in the North, South, and Bekaa regions.

The $80 million project will be implemented within five to seven years by Chemonics Beirut, and in partnership with municipalities, public schools, community-based organizations, and civil society groups.

CSP is a multi-sectoral program that offers assistance to improve livelihoods and the delivery of services including water, electricity, and solid waste management. Assistance will also include direct procurement for equipment and machinery, as well as grants and technical assistance.

Communities that will be supported are selected according to several factors, mainly the vulnerability and urgency of needs, presence of refugees, number of incidents, prevalence of tensions, levels of poverty, and municipal capacities.

The CSP project will benefit 400,000 people, 285 villages, and will impact more than 2,000 jobs.