Project Title 1: Building the Capacity of Lebanese Youth in West Bekaa for Better Work

Opportunities; Funded by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), U.S. Embassy

Since unemployment rate in Lebanon stands at 25%, LFPA through the support of Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the US Embassy implemented a project that aims to build the capacity of 180 youth in West Bekaa region with skills to increase their chances of obtaining work and hence ability to have an income to improve their livelihood.

The project activities consisted of implementing training courses on three skills plumbing, secretarial & car mechanics. The training is followed by an internship in SMEs in the region, so the beneficiaries have an experience that will increase their chances to find jobs.

In order to reach the targeted number of beneficiaries the LFPA announced the training opportunities in all municipalities in targeted region as well as in social media.

The LFPA signed MOUs with the Bekaa Technical Institute and Bekaa Industrial Institute to implement the training courses using their premises as both institutes have well equipped labs for the training courses. A second advantage of implementing the training courses within the Bekaa Institutes is that they are official institutes affiliated to the directorate of vocational education at the Ministry of Education & Higher Education, so that the certificates are official certificates that can improve chances of employability.

The beneficiaries 60 in each skill training were divided into three sets of training courses;

The first set of training courses started on October 12, 2020 after the opening of the Country from long period of lockdown and ended in January 2021, with 60 youth, 20 in each training course. Providing theoretical and practical course using labs of the Bekaa Industrial Institute and Bekaa Technical Institute. After completing 200 hours at the institute comprising both theory and practice the graduates were placed in SMEs to do 120 hours of internship and build experience.

The second set of training courses started in April 2021 and ended in July 2021. 60 new youth participated in this set of training courses, 20 in each skill training. Like the first set, the training courses were divided to theoretical and practical components to provide knowledge and to improve the skills of the beneficiaries. The graduates were also placed in local SMEs to complete their training.

The third set of training commenced in September 2021 and ended in December 2021, the third group of 60 youth completed their training in the 3 skills, car mechanics, Plumbing & Secretarial & office management and were placed in internships.

In the secretarial & office management course the beneficiaries learnt about office management, archiving of documents, all computer basic skills, documents study and analysis and principals of correspondence …

The plumbing training course included air conditioning and cooling system, copper welding, refrigerator checking, installing of sanitary

The car mechanics course included disassembly and installation of automobile parts, air condition and turbo engine, detecting malfunction and fixing it…

In order to evaluate the courses the participants completed an evaluation form at the end of each course. The results of evaluation showed that the combination of theory and practical training was very beneficial for trainees’ confidence andthere was a noticed behavior change, they were motivated to go into the labor market to put what they learnt in practice and were more aware and interested in the material and skills they learnt. They also sat for final written exams at the end of the each set of training to evaluate the knowledge they obtained during the training courses.

Due to the present financial crisis in Lebanon only 75% of graduates of the three set of training courses found internships at identified SMEs. 60% of trained beneficiaries in Secretarial work were able to complete their internship successfully. 80% of graduates in plumbing and 75 % of graduates in car mechanics concluded as well their internship.

The project achieved immeasurable results , it has increased youth self-confidence as well it gave them a better prospect in life as they have now a certificate of completion of training course and internship which opens doors for better employment opportunities.

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Project Title 2: Young Innovators Summer Camp

Introduction
The Lebanon Family Planning Association for Sustainable Development (LFPA) embarked on a transformative journey with the implementation of the Young Innovators Summer Camp, consisting of two parts, Camp 1 and Camp 2, in the Tyre region of South Lebanon. This project was made possible through generous funding and support from the Malala Fund. The camps were designed to empower children aged 11-14 in Camp 1 and 15-18 in Camp 2 from rural and marginalized backgrounds. The core focus was on imparting digital skills, offering educational opportunities, and promoting gender equality, reproductive health, and overall child well-being.

Project Background
The Young Innovators Summer Camps were conceived as a response to the pressing need to address the educational and developmental gaps faced by children in the Tyre region. The LFPA’s commitment to inclusivity and breaking down barriers guided the design and execution of these camps.

Funding and Support
We express our profound gratitude to the Malala Fund for their unwavering support, both financially and operationally, which was instrumental in bringing these camps to fruition.

Camp 1:
Target Groups and Enrollment: Camp 1 successfully enrolled 50 children aged 11-14 from
disadvantaged backgrounds.

Location: Cadmous College Abbasiyyeh provided the ideal venue for the camp’s activities.

Objectives: Camp 1 focused on capacity building, access to education, well-rounded development, and educational sessions on critical topics.

Camp Structure: The camp ran from July 3 to July 21, offering a diverse range of activities, including coding bootcamps, sports, arts, recycling initiatives, theatre workshops, and educational sessions.

Impact and Outcomes: Camp 1 positively impacted the skills, knowledge, and attitudes of the participants, fulfilling its objectives.

Challenges and Solutions – Camp 1
Challenges such as logistics and transportation, venue availability, and age disparities were met with innovative solutions. Collaboration with local leaders, community volunteers, and extensive networking proved to be effective in overcoming these challenges.

Camp 2:
Target Groups and Enrollment: Camp 2 enrolled approximately 50 children aged 15-18 from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Location: Ma3had Al Amal served as the venue for the camp’s activities.

Objectives: Camp 2 continued the mission by focusing on digital skills, access to education, holistic development, and educational sessions on essential topics.

Camp Structure: Camp 2 was held from July 31 to August 18, offering a rich program including coding bootcamps, sports, arts, and educational sessions on topics like mental health, early marriage awareness, nutrition, leadership, and career guidance.

Impact and Outcomes: The resounding success of Camp 2 was evident in the participants’ high satisfaction levels and strong endorsements.

Challenges and Solutions – Camp 2
Challenges including camp location suitability and attendance issues due to regional conflict were met with creative solutions. Compensation for absences, alternative activities, and improved communication were key strategies.

Recommendations
Based on feedback and evaluations, recommendations have been outlined to enhance future iterations of the Young Innovators Summer Camp or similar projects.

Social Media Coverage
Comprehensive social media coverage ensured that the wider community remained informed about the camp’s progress, achievements, and the positive transformation experienced by participants.

Future Plan
The success of both Camp 1 and Camp 2 has ignited our enthusiasm for future attempts. LFPA plans to expand its educational programs, collaborate with educational institutions, and extend the project’s impact to the broader community.

Conclusion
The Young Innovators Summer Camps, Camp 1 and Camp 2, have been resounding successes, exemplifying LFPA’s commitment to empowering children from rural backgrounds. These camps have nurtured informed, responsible, and empowered young individuals. They serve as a testament to LFPA’s dedication to positive change in the lives and communities of these young innovators. As we continue this journey, we remain committed to fostering a brighter future for our youth, characterized by innovation, education, and empowerment. We eagerly anticipate your support and collaboration as we strive to shape a promising future for our young talents and the communities they will impact.