- Project Title: The Operational Management and Maintenance of Sioufi Garden.
- Funding Agency Organization: German Government through KfW Development Bank and implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
- Implementing Partners: Environment and Sustainable Development Unit, Dawaer, Issam Fares Institute.
- Duration: One year.
1. Background and Context:
Beirut, and particularly the historic district of Ashrafieh, faces persistent social tensions rooted in its complex socio-political and religious fabric. Despite its diversity and vibrant character, Ashrafieh remains fragmented, with sharp contrasts between affluent and underdeveloped areas, limited community engagement, and political divisions that hinder social cohesion. Sioufi Garden, located at the heart of Ashrafieh, holds strong potential as a green space to foster dialogue, resilience, and inclusivity. However, challenges such as inadequate municipal maintenance and weak community participation limit its role. This project seeks to revitalize Sioufi Garden by combining urban agriculture, social cohesion, and governance to transform it into a platform for community interaction and municipal engagement.
The consortium in charge of implementing this project consists of the Environment and Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU) and the Issam Fares Institute (IFI) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the Dawaer Organization.
2. Outcomes:
The project will combine both bottom-up and top-down approaches, resulting in two main outcomes:
a) Strengthened inclusive use of public space by Sioufi–Achrafieh community members through their active co-design and implementation of social activities;
b) Strengthened performance of municipal staff and volunteers with increased access to knowledge and skills.
3. Proposed Activities:
To achieve these objectives, the project will implement a set of activities as per the below:
a) Organizing and implementing of social cohesion activities.
b) Provision of operation and basic maintenance activities.
c) Provision of ancillary equipment, safety signage, and emergency equipment.
d) Provision of Capacity Building and Training Activities.
4. Target Beneficiaries:
The proposed methodology is carefully designed to address the needs of two key beneficiary groups: residents of the Ashrafieh–Sioufi area, including conflict-affected and limited engagement communities, and municipal staff and local volunteers.
5. Sustainability:
The project's exit strategy is designed to ensure the long-term impact and sustainability of the intervention. The following key components support this vision:
- Capacity Building for Municipalities: The project invests in targeted coaching and training for municipal staff.
- Community Engagement and Ownership: A Community Council and volunteer group will be established to co-lead garden activities and decision-making.
- Karianet Integration: All biodiversity information will be hosted on ESDU's Karianet platform to ensure public access, transparency, and long-term reference.
