LEBANON - Exploring Governance

Check out a short video detailing youth efforts in Lebanon to resist inneffective governance throughout the country. The clip is part of a longer documentary, also available on YouTube.

Mercy Corps and the Lebanese Transparency Association have launched a project called 'Local Governance through Youth Municipalities', a program aimed at developing youth leadership and project management skills. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development, the program plans to mobilize youth to become active in municipal politics and lead community development projects. Youth leaders between the ages of 17 and 23 were selected, trained and elected for youth municipal councils in the regions of Bourj El Barajneh, Baalback, Baal Mohsen, Tyre, and Nabatiyeh.

In addition to organizing relevant development projects, leaders discussed several topics related to corruption, aging vote, and mother’s citizenship law in Lebanon through the GCC website. So far, 262 youth in total have been trained, 23 community service and initiatives have been conducted throughout the country and 10 youth advocacy meetings have been held with municipalities. The program has indirectly beneffited 67,900 community members. Hear leaders share their experiences in their own words below.