Supporting women socio-economical promotion in different rural regions particularly the ones affected by the conflict 
(A post-war 2006 rehabilitation project)

Duration of the project
March 2007 - March 2008
(Read about the concluding ceremony held on 25th March 2008 >>)

Funding partner
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Implementing partners
ARCS; ARCI cultura and sviluppo
The MADA association
CESTAS (Italian NGO)
AFDC (Italian NGO)

Beneficiaries
137 women

Areas of intervention
4 villages in South Lebanon (Kawzah, Debel, Ain Ebel and Rmeich)

Target groups
Vulnerable Women, head of household
Low-income families whose income has drastically decreased due to the war and the economic slowdown
Small women cooperatives

Description
The project aimed at reinforcing the capacities of cooperatives in the field of agro-alimentary transformation, in order to offer them the chance to generate additional revenues and to spread the production means to women who are head of families, have a very low income, and were severely affected by the July 2006 war.

Objectives
Increasing women revenue and increase women and cooperatives capacities.
Supporting the fast recovery and the improvement in agricultural production for women who are head of families, for women cooperatives and for women owners of small businesses in the regions affected by the July 2006 war.
Empowering them to become part of the local development activities and gain social promotion.

Activities
Training for members of two cooperatives and for municipalities’ employees
Participation of municipalities and cooperatives in the design and in the sustainability of the project
Providing needed equipment for the resuming and improvement of agricultural production (re-introducing lost production means)
Providing technical assistance to ensure quality of products and their entry to the market (increasing sales of production)
The distribution of cows and goats
Providing veterinary services
The distribution of needed equipment for the resuming of micro-activities
Providing technical assistance
Setting up a network

Other post-war rehabilitation project:

The Lebanon Education Assistance Development (LEAD) Program
The Strengthening of Educational Programs in South Lebanon
Educational and cultural activities for youth in North Lebanon
Support to rural families affected by the war through the development of cattle raising