Donor: Italian Cooperation Office AICS
Project partners: Istituto OIKOS - CHICO MENDES ONLUS, University of Firenze in Italy, University of Insubria in Italy, Cinque Terre Reserve in Italy - the Italian Manarola Foundation - Souk Al-Tayeb
Objectives:
Support the sustainable development of communities and practices in the vicinity of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve through opportunities that contribute to strengthening the economy and improving the protection of natural resources through:
• Improving the livelihoods of about 1,000 families through the development of value chains related to sustainable agriculture and production.
• Developing eco-tourism services in the reserve and its surroundings through the development of services related to the ecosystem and biodiversity in the villages surrounding the reserve.
The activities:
• Studying the impact of restoration activities on ecosystems and their services and on biodiversity.
• Studying the best practices between Lebanon and Italy regarding agricultural terraces and exchanging experiences between the two countries.
• Capacity building for 100 farmers, experts, and landowners on stonewall terrace construction and maintenance.
• Restoring more than 30 hectares of agricultural land.
• Selecting and developing three high-quality agricultural products and market them in Lebanon and abroad.
• Identifying and mapping trails and providing training for 50 local guides.
• Developing educational cooperation between schools in Lebanon and Lombardy schools in Italy.
• Organizing a campaign in Italy to market the Shouf Biosphere Reserve as a tourist destination.
Duration: 39 months: April 2018 - July 2021
Figure No. 36 - Seminars and meetings with farmers in the vicinity of the reserve.