“Youth RESOLVE 2” is a continuation of a project funded by the European Union, and is carried out by a consortium of non-governmental organizations that includes UTOPIA, DPNA, GAME and World Vision, which leads this consortium. The goal of the consortium is to empower youth people by providing them with the tools to become leading actors in their communities.

The project supports the youth in Lebanon, both local and refugees from Syria, to become active citizens engaged in their communities, strengthening social stability and supporting local development. To do so, the youth are trained to participate in local decision-making processes by forming local Youth Committees and a national Youth Platform, to conduct youth-focused needs assessment to implement tailored quick impact projects and a youth advocacy plan, while also performing peacebuilding activities with sports being the central theme.

As part of this project, after conducting a community needs assessment and meeting with the stakeholders and residents of the Syr Al-Danniyeh area to discuss potential Quick-Impact Projects that could benefit the area, the Committee chose to renovate and rehabilitate the Syr El Danniyeh’s old souks with the aim of invigorating both the economic and social dynamics of the town, thereby revitalizing its community life, fostering a brighter future for the youth and promoting self-sufficiency within the community.

The Youth Committee organized an open day to celebrate the opening of their QIP, which included local products exhibitions, recreational activities for children and scout shows, and was attended by municipality representatives, community representatives and local residents.

The event kicked off with the Lebanese national anthem, accompanied by scouting presentations delivered by children and young adults from the Lebanese National Scout Association and the Arab Scouts, featuring entertaining and educational activities for children, alongside awareness sessions on COVID-19 protection measures. Additionally, there was a blood donation drive organized by “Donner Sang Compter,” as well as disaster management awareness sessions conducted by the Emergency and Relief Corps. Representatives from Deputy Ihab Matar and former Deputy Sami Fatfat have also attended the event.

Wassila Sayyah, a 28-year-old member of the Youth Committee in Syr, who participated in the first phase of the project, says: “I joined the Youth Committee in Syr to advocate for the rights of children and youth and to participate in decision-making processes to contribute to the well-being of young people. The first phase of the Youth RESOLVE 2 project has shown that empowering youth can enhance social stability and resilience. I am sure that we can continue this successful journey in the second phase of the project.

The European Union expresses its deep belief in the youth’s capacity to contribute to shaping a more inclusive society, starting from economic development and extending to political engagement, by continuing to support the Syr Youth Committee and other beneficiaries of the Youth RESOLVE project.