Lebanon is currently facing an unprecedented convergence of crises—economic, financial, monetary, social, humanitarian, and health-related. The demand for public services is under considerable pressure, especially in refugee-hosting communities, where increased risks threaten social stability and strain relationships between Lebanese citizens and Syrian refugees, as well as among Lebanese themselves.

The situation is particularly dire in the Bekaa and North Lebanon regions, where tensions have escalated, leading to increased violence and instability.

Despite these complex challenges, trust in municipal services persists, but concerns about their sustainability are growing, exacerbated by financial resource shortages, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the deterioration of infrastructure—including electricity, water, solid waste management, and wastewater systems.

This project, implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in partnership with the Institute of Finance Basil Fuleihan, aims to:

• Empower municipalities to adopt better planning and crisis management through a participatory approach, in alignment with existing laws and regulations.
• Improve financial management practices, in alignment with the principles of transparency, accounting, and anti-corruption.
• Familiarize municipalities with the components of Lebanon's new Public Procurement Law 2021/244 and its implications for municipal management. 
• Identify opportunities and tools to help stabilize the situation and facilitate effective communication in times of crisis.
   

Project Phases

Phase 1 (2021): The project targeted the unions and municipalities of Bsharre (11 municipalities) and Buheira (19 municipalities) and consisted of four key components:

1. A roundtable with mayors to discuss the project's objectives and the critical issues arising from the ongoing crises with a focus on the sustainability of public service delivery, the challenges of municipal and financial work and to explore transparent and effective alternatives and opportunities.
2. An assessment of the municipalities’ current capacities: ability to apply laws, regulations, authority in managing financial resources (budgeting, accounting, and procurement), administrative and organizational affairs, including human resources, and the extent to which municipalities make use of information technology in their duty performance.
3. Supporting municipalities in understanding the components of crisis, their impact on municipal functions, and approaches to governance through the principles of good local governance. A training was organized and covered regulatory frameworks, managing administrative processes, and maintaining sound financial management, planning, accounting, and transparency in public expenditure.
4. Introducing the components of Lebanon’s Public Procurement Law 2021/244, focusing on its role in combating corruption and promoting economic competition. The training also clarified the new responsibilities placed on municipalities under this law. 

Phase 2 (2022): The second phase extended to the unions of Siblin and Tyre, reaching 66 participants. Municipal members were introduced to Public Procurement Law 244/2021 and trained on public procurement methods and procedures in compliance with the new legal framework.

Phase 3 (2023–2024): The third phase addressed eight clusters of municipalities across the country, targeting around 90 participants from:

• North Bekaa
• West Bekaa
• Arkoub El Haref
• Northern Matn
• Akkar
• Minieh
• North Lebanon
• South Lebanon

Participants received training on the new Public Procurement Law 244/2021, effective procurement planning, and related methods, among other topics.