FORM No ………………………… ANNUAL PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT · achievement of work plan expected results. 2.2National Programme Officer 2.3 National Personnel 2.4 Int LEDA

Project Code & Title:…………………………..........................

Responsible Officer: …………………………..........................

Implementing Partner: …………………….............................

ANNUAL PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT

Period: MM – MM/YYYY

FORM No......

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EXPECTED PROJECT

OUTPUTS & INDICATORS

(including annual targets)

MAJOR PLANNED ACTIVITIES List major activities, including M&E activities , to be

undertaken during the year in order to produce the stated project outputs

ACTUAL ACHIEVEMENTS, PROGRESS

AGAINST OUTPUTS, INDICATORS &

ANNUAL TARGETS

PENDING ISSUES/ REASONS FOR

ADJUSTMENTS

1. Technical assistance and support

provided to the initiatives carried

out at local level, through the AGL

main office.

1.1 Logistic comunication, administrative supplies,

rental, maintenance equipment, IT

Describe the actual achievements (in terms of

measurable products that were produced from

and/or services that were delivered by the

undertaking of the planned activities during the

reporting year.

Describe the issues/risks that would have arisen

and thus would have negatively influenced the

degree of actual achievement and/or progress as

reported in the earlier section. Based on the level

of “severity” of such issues/risks, suggest

adjustments to the AWP for the next year.

1.2

1.3

2. Links between public and

private institutions established,

while monitoring system on

different processes and results

reinforced

2.1CTA Management leadership, technical support,

logistical, financial and administrative

facilitation was provided to all areas of ART

GOLD.

Close coordination with national counterparts-

ministries and CRD- enhanced the linkages

between local needs and national priorities.

Ongoing monitoring of various activities and

taking corrective actions supported smooth

achievement of work plan expected results.

2.2National Programme Officer

2.3 National Personnel

2.4 Int LEDA Expert

2.5. Int Programme Officer

2.6. Italian Focal Point

4. National coordination of

economic development actors

that operate at local level

established

4.1 DC Technical assistance to the Areas Around 10 missions were hosted and

coordinated in 2010 by the national ART

GOLD team tackling various topics within

the strategic parameters of the programme.

These facilitated the exchange of technical

expertise amongst partners in Europe and

local actors in Lebanon, enhancing the

latter’s exposure and skills, further

reinforcing their roles in local development.

-Concerning the milk value chain, two

international experts from ANFOSC (Italian

Association “Cheese under the Sky”) were

introduced to the different actors in the milk

value chain in Lebanon. The Italian experts

assessed the main characteristics and

constraints for developing a competitive and

sustainable milk value chain and focused on






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the importance of improving the quality of

milk rather than increasing its quantity.

-Two DC missions (from Spain and Belgium)

conducted to Lebanon in support of the

tourism sector in North Lebanon and the

Bekaa region and to aid local farmers of

Akkar and the Bekaa region in the cow

breeding and dairy sector.

-A delegation of representatives of the

ministry of Agriculture, the Lebanese

Agricultural Institute for Research (LARI),

Union of Municipalities, and cooperatives

from North Lebanon and Bekaa participated in

a six-day mission to Belgium during which

they attended a training on fruit tree and

orchard management.






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5. A network of LEDAs

established.

5.1. Workshops and seminars at national level Many workshops were organized/facilitated

that contributed to setting the basis for

cohesive understanding of work processes

namely in regard to the establishment of

LEDAs

- Three separate workshops - one day each-

were held with ART GOLD team

encompassing LEDA staff, to provide updates

on LEDA establishment, discuss hurdles and

agree on a vision and detailed scenario that

would ensure long term operational

sustainability of LEDA network in Lebanon.

- A national meeting was held with ESFD and

First National Bank encompassing staff of

each partner. The workshop was a

opportunity to introduce each organization

work, present the credit scheme product and

ensure unified understanding of each partner’s

role and responsibilities within the credit

provision cycle.

-A three days training was conducted to the

LED experts and BDS specialists on “Credit

principles and analysis”, which enhanced the

knowledge of staff in credit related processes

in order to carry out credit appraisal according

to best practices.

6. Territorial marketing

documents elaborated and

promoting initiatives realized

6.1 Support to territorial marketing, territorial

profile

Efforts were diverted given the change in the

scope and focus of LED activities; other

critical matters were prioritized including

finalization of LEDA’s legal framework,

which resulted in obtaining the official

notification of first LEDA in Lebanon within

Beirut Southern Suburbs. Support was also

provided to the steering committees in

finalizing their priority sector s and areas of

concentration for the credit scheme.

Obtaining the legal registration of other

LEDAs is underway. Early 2011, it is

anticipated that the lawyer will submit the

request to the Ministry of Interior for legal

incorporation.






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7. Two Territorial strategic plan

elaborated

7.1 2 pilot strategic plan developed The initial preparatory phase of the “strategies

for Local development project” is almost

complete: A pilot targeted area in North

region was chosen “Dinneyeh” and a project

proposal finalized following extensive

discussions with the union of municipality-

local partner-. National partner is consulted

and TORs are advertized seeking the

consultancy company that will support the

strategic planning in its pilot phase.

Early 2011, it is anticipated that the selected

company will launch its activities in

coordination with local partners and North

management team. The exercise is expected to

take around 4 months to produce a final report

encompassing the strategic direction in

Dinneyeh area and setting the basis for

replication to other regions in Lebanon.






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8. Support the Ministry of

Agriculture in developing the

Beekeeping National Strategy

8.1 Support to Beekeeping Strategy national

congress On the national level, intensive

coordination efforts were exerted with the

Ministry of Agriculture enforcing the

collaboration on many levels and leading to

amelioration of beekeeping sector whether

strategically or operationally.

-On the level of organization of beekeeping

sector, AGL supported through international

expertise, the issuing of national legislation –

draft law- to organize the beekeeping sector in

Lebanon. It also assisted the Lebanese

Ministry of agriculture to develop a software

for managing the information collected by the

government on the beekeeping sector in

synergy to national strategy for performing a

national census on beekeepers, bee hives and

bee diseases.

-Several trainings on disease control have

been conducted for approximately 200

beekeepers in addition to analysis of honey

quality and disease prevalence to prepare them

for the market. An Italian expert has presented

results of first analysis at March’s 2010

meeting. -Three beekeepers from North and South

Lebanon and the Bekaa region attended a 10-

day workshop in Perugia –Italy.

-Over 130 [local and international]

participants attended the fourth Mediterranean

beekeeping forum conducted for two days

which AGL organized with the MoA in

collaboration with the Association of Umbrian

Beekeepers (APAU), FELCOS Umbria,

Foligno Municipality and ART Initiative.

The Forum which helped exchange ideas,

information, and experiences, constituted a

venue for elaboration of better solutions to the

problems facing the beekeeping sector. A

letter comprising main recommendations for

improving the beekeeping sector in Lebanon

was the outcome which was raised to the

Minister’s attention for follow up.

Early 2011, a Italian mission is expected to

follow up on the results of the forum

recommendations, second honey analysis and

law advancement and will commence its

technical support and on different aspects.

Meanwhile, coordination will be maintained

and strengthened with the Ministry of

Agriculture.






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9. Evaluation of monitoring

system on LED processes and

results

9.1. Establish a National consortium for

beekeeping and agriculture products

Efforts exerted on the local and national level

that contributed to enhancement of

organization of the beekeeping sector through

establishment of regional associations of

beekeepers in the Beqaa and North region.

This led to building networks among

beekeepers, while assisting existing

beekeepers cooperatives to meet, discuss their

problems and develop an action plan for

developing the beekeeping sector.

In 2011, possibility for establishing or

reinforcing a national entity to coordinate the

needs of beekeepers will be sought based on

the regional experiences achieved.

10.1 Information and Communication Extensive logistical support extended to

various ART GOLD initiatives, regionally

and nationally, led to an improvement in

the image and outreach of ART GOLD in

Lebanon. This included facilitation of

inaugurations , building ties with Media

and local partners, production and

distribution of promotional material and

disseminating information through

reporting and newsletters.

- Preparations for the water awareness

campaign, namely, the 30-second TV and

radio spots in addition to the Ad materials to

be posted in local newspapers and magazines

were finalized during the third quarter of

2010.

-Promotional materials produced: Bookmarks,

institutional folder and pens.

- Two newsletters issued covering the 2010

activities and the first release was distributed

widely.

- facilitating around 10 inaugurations and

workshops

The finalized Sep- Dec newsletter will be

disseminated early 2011.






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Main challenges experienced during the past year:

1. The municipal elections which took place in June 2010 led to a practical freeze of partnering local authorities roles for a lengthy duration of four months -preparatory work before elections and formulation of municipal councils after the elections. This caused an enormous disruption to the rhythm of ART work, further exacerbated by the changes in partner municipalities’ composition, hence working groups’ membership. This prolonged the completion of project implementation given the timeframe required to acquaint the new municipal members with the ART work and their roles and responsibilities.

2. Weak structure and capacities of government bodies namely ministries interrupted work rhythm in some instances, which was overcame by exerting more efforts in coordination and back-up covering of partners role.

What are the key activities (if any) of soft assistance undertaken by the project?

1. AGL adopts a bottom-up approach in which the working groups play a pivotal role in the identification and prioritization of local needs, and given that AGL covers governance issues and links to poverty, the environment, and local development; this architecture has availed the needed support to complement other UNDP initiatives including LIVE Lebanon’s in all areas.

2. The municipal elections that took place in June 2010 resulted in drastic changes in representation of council members across the country -new elected officials lack the needed basic knowledge and skills to carry out their duties- inclusive ART GOLD covered territories. This necessitated the launching of an intervention entitled “Capacity development Programme” directed towards strengthening the capacities of local authorities namely newly elected council members. ART GOLD, having a vested interest in empowering local partners- provided extensive support to the initiative since its on-set. All areas helped in collecting a database including details on Municipalities presidents and members, their contact details and educational background. This was the basis for selecting targeted trainees, where details of the first pilot training workshops were coordinated with area managers and took place in Beqaa. The programme will continue throughout year 2011, evolving into more strategic training needs focused approach.

3. Several missions have been conducted to and from Lebanon some of which were not earlier anticipated, yet resulted in concrete partnerships and possible funding for different initiatives. These include the following:

STUDY TOUR (2-4 Feb 2010): Reflections on the experience of UNDP Lebanon – ART GOLD PROGRAMME: UNDP ART GOLD Lebanon was selected among the 18 countries where ART initiative is implemented to host a study tour for representatives of the UNDP Bureau for Development Policy and 12 members from UNDP offices in Eastern Europe, North Africa, North America, Syria and New York. The mission was organized from 2-4 February 2010 with the aim to share with the participants the best practices implemented in the framework of ART GOLD Lebanon Programme.

Representatives of the Agencia Extremena de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarrollo (AEXCID) from the Regional Government of Extremadura Region (Spain) conducted a two-day mission to Lebanon on the 20-22th of October, 2010 to explore the best suited areas of cooperation with ART GOLD in the tourism sector. As a result, ART GOLD and the Spanish delegation agreed to develop a project proposal for 2011 in support of the tourism sectors in Bekaa and North Lebanon.

From July 11th

till 15th

, 2010, ART GOLD North Lebanon and Bekaa hosted a Belgian delegation from Wallonie Region to enhance the agriculture conditions and to aid local farmers of Akkar and Bekaa regions, specifically those involved in cow breeding and milk production. A common project is being drafted for implementation in 2011 to support the local breeders in enhancing their farm management practices and veterinary services, in coordination with the Lebanese ministry of Agriculture.






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A delegation of representatives of the ministry of Agriculture, the Lebanese Agricultural Institute for Research (LARI), Union of Municipalities, and cooperatives from North Lebanon and Bekaa participated in a six-day mission to Belgium in June 2010, whereby several trainings on fruit tree and orchard management were conducted. The delegates also visited the Union of Farmers in Flanders region, in addition to two major fruit cooperatives, a soil laboratory and experimental orchards.

In May 2010, a workshop on beekeeping management was held in Perugia, Umbria (Italy) for 10 days in which AGL facilitated the participation of Lebanese Beekeepers from North and South Lebanon and from Bekaa.

Within the framework of the international cooperation and under the patronage of the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, H.E. Mr. Ziad Baroud, a two-day Conference entitled “New strategies of Decentralized Cooperation in Lebanon” was convened on the 4

th and 5

th of November, 2010 in Beirut. This conference was organized by UNDP

ART GOLD Programme in Lebanon, the Italian Cooperation and Tuscany Region with the contribution of Umbria and Puglia Regions and the Coordinamento of Italian Local authorities for Peace and human rights.

Lessons learned: The “Lessons Learned” are identified under each of the programme’s three main components: 1) participatory approach and working groups, 2) Decentralized Cooperation and 3) Local economic Development 1)Participatory Approach and Working groups:

Moving from numerous local working group (WG) towards regional working group (RWG)

Local ownership more obvious whenever a bottom-up approach is used

Maintaining a coordination on the national level to link local realities to nationall priorities is critical and proved essential in fulfilling project objectives more efficiently – example coordination relationship with ministry of Agriculture-.

2)Decentralized partnerships:

The DC Partnerships are sometimes more fruitful if the partners experience similar challenges and contexts

Working groups’ efficient and effective cooperation with decentralised cooperation partners has contributed to sustainable local development

DC is a learning opportunity for a country such as Lebanon with a strong centralized administration, moving towards administrative decentralization

3) Local Economic Development: Innovative solutions: LEDOs instead of LEDAs






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Success stories: The Fourth Mediterranean Beekeeping Forum:

Under the patronage of the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture, UNDP-ART GOLD Lebanon (AGL) hosted the Fourth Mediterranean

Beekeeping Forum in Beirut, Lebanon on November 11th

and 12th

, 2010. The Forum was initially established in Foligno, Italy in 2007 in

collaboration with the Association of Umbrian Beekeepers (APAU), FELCOS Umbria, Foligno Municipality,ART Initiative and the

Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR).

More than 150 participants have attended this year’s Forum representing honey producers’ associations and cooperatives, research

institutes and public entities from France, Spain, Morocco, Malta, Algeria, Tunisia, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Albania and Italy. The

significance of the Forum has also captured the attention of the local media, as six TV stations and seven dailies covered the event.

This year’s forum entitled “Honey Bees: promoters of biodiversity” has been in line with the United Nations International Year for

Biodiversity with the aim to reduce the environmental depletion, protect anima l and vegetable diversities, and promote sustainable

environmental development. Additionally, the Forum has helped to exchange ideas and experiences on the role of bees and its impact on

biodiversity and environmental sustainability.

The Forum falls within a series of activities in support of the honey value chain which AGL is implementing at the national and regional levels, in North and South Lebanon, and the

Bekaa region. The Forum is in partnership with the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture and the Umbrian Beekeepers Association, and supported by the Spanish Government, Felcos

Umbria, Foligno municipality, ART initiative and CDR.

Although the beekeeping sector in Lebanon faces problems due to the deteriorated environment, reduced planted acreage and the climate change implications in addition to the impact

of toxic pesticides which contribute to the killing of bees, an assessment of the beekeeping sector in Lebanon conducted by AGL in 2008 indicated that the sector is vital and has a

strategically important potential for competitiveness and sustainable development. Additionally, the benefits of the beekeeping sector are not only limited to those of honey production,

but it also extends to countless therapeutic and nutritional ones. Also, because bees are natural pollinators, the beekeeping sector contributes to the environmental development. Recent

studies have shown the ability of a single bee to visit up to 4000 flower a day, emphasizing the effective role of bees in protecting biodiversity.

“AGL’s support to the Lebanese honey value chain is through organizing the beekeeping sector, improving the quality of honey, and

finding market opportunities, whether locally or abroad”, said UNDP Country Director, Mr. Seifeddine Abbaro.

In addition to Mr. Abbaro, other keynote speakers during the Forum’s opening session were H.E. the Lebanese Minister of Agriculture

Mr. Hussein Haj Hassan, the first secretary at the Spanish Embassy in Lebanon Mr. Rafael Reig and the President of the Mediterranean

Beekeeping Forum Mr. Vincenzo Panettieri.

The Minister of Agriculture Mr. Hussein Haj Hassan said that the agricultural sector in Lebanon suffers from many problems, chronic

and structural ones. “The beekeeping sector in particular is increasingly deteriorating given the hazardous use of pesticides by some

farmers, at times spraying the citrus fruits an astounding 18 times per season“, he added.

Mr. Reig explained that Spain’s contribution in the forum falls within the framework of AGL. He assured his country’s willingness to

continue supporting initiatives that protect the environment and biodiversity in the Mediterranean region.

In turn, Mr. Panettieri emphasized that the Forum aims to protect biodiversity and support the beekeeping sector.






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The Forum has helped exchange ideas, information, and experiences and provide better solutions to the problems facing the beekeeping sector. A set of recommendations for improving

the beekeeping sector in Lebanon was raised to the minister’s attention for follow up. Next year’s forum, the fifth Mediteranean Beekeeping Forum, will be hosted in Spain.

New strategies of Decentralized Cooperation in Lebanon:

Role of the decentralized cooperation in strengthening and supporting the decentralization process in Lebanon

Around 50 decentralized cooperation partnerships have been established between Lebanese and Italian local authorities

indicating a sharp increase since 2007. Joint projects on environment, health, social and local economic development

issues have been implemented. The Decentralized Cooperation’s support to their Lebanese counterparts is not entirely

focused on the provision of funds but it can also be coupled with the provision of high-quality technical assistance and

training on specific skills and it also may be expressed in the form of partnerships.

Within the framework of the international cooperation and under the patronage of the Minister of Interior and

Municipalities, H.E. Mr. Ziad Baroud, a two-day Conference entitled “New strategies of Decentralized Cooperation in

Lebanon” was convened on the 4th

and 5th

of November, 2010 in Beirut. This conference was organized by UNDP ART

GOLD Programme in Lebanon, the Italian Cooperation and Tuscany Region with the contribution of Umbria and Puglia

Regions and the Coordinamento of Italian Local authorities for Peace and human rights.

The conference was specially tailored to reinstate the cooperation between Lebanese and Italian local authorities,

especially at regional levels. More specifically, it aimed to restore the role of the Italian Decentralized Cooperation in

the process of local development and decentralization in Lebanon. The schedule included an interchange of experience

and best practices about the decentralized cooperation process in Lebanon. It also involved, among other things, defining criteria for the Decentralized Cooperation to ensure that future

interventions are coherent with the needs, proposals and recommendations of the local communities.

The opening session on the 4

th of November was convened in the presence of the representative of the minister of Interior, H.E. Mr. Ziad Baroud, the Ambassador of Italy to Lebanon,

H.E. Mr. Giuseppe Morabito, the UNDP Country Director in Lebanon, Mr. Seifeddin Abbaro, the representative of European Commission, Ms. Cecile Abadie, and representatives of

the Italian Regions. The conference comprised more than one hundred local authority representatives from Lebanon and Italy.

H.E. Mr. Giuseppe Morabito opened the conference emphasizing the importance of the event as it offers a venue to exchange experiences and enhance the decentralized cooperation,

benefiting the local communities. H.E also noted that the decentralized cooperation helps to create better living conditions for the local communities as well as bringing communities

closer together. Additionally, Mr. Morabito indicated that the Italian Government seeks through the decentralized cooperation to help the local communities achieve socio economic

development and to promote dialogue between divided societies “encouraging them to continue working with each other”.

UNDP Country Director in Lebanon, Mr. Seifeddin Abbaro said: “UNDP in Lebanon adopted the decentralized cooperation approach with the launch of the UNDP-ART GOLD project

in March 2007 in cooperation with the Council for Development and Reconstruction.” He added: “UNDP-ART GOLD project extends across the most socially and economically

deprived Lebanese territories, covering North and South Lebanon, Bekaa and Beirut Southern Suburbs.” The Italian government was the major donor country for the UNDP-ART






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GOLD project. “The Italian Cooperation was as supportive”, Mr. Abbaro explained “particularly in building the

capacities of the local communities through the exchange of technical and technological solutions, organizational and

management models, practical innovations, as well as of best practice and know-how.”

Ms. Flavia Donati read a message on behalf of the president of Tuscany region, in which she indicated: “the Italian

Decentralized Cooperation is an exceptionally effective partnership with local institutions”. She also stressed the

“importance of cooperation with the local authorities which constitutes a crucial element in identifying needs of the local

communities”.

In conclusion, Mr. Rabih El Cha’er representing the minister of Interior and Municipalities was thankful to the support

of both the Italian government and the UNDP to the Ministry. “The conference” he added “was convened at a crucial

time where the newly elected municipalities are enthusiastic about improving the conditions of their regions, but lack

adequate experience and financial support.” Mr. El Cha’er indicated that the Ministry is launching with the UNDP and

the Italian cooperation in Lebanon a decentralization project, and is also preparing for the first time workshops,

extending over a duration of six to eight months, in order to engage municipalities, experts, the civil society and

economic stakeholders on relevant issues. El Cha’er then presented the reform work of the Ministry including a project

to help municipalities cope with the upcoming elections and another project to restructure the training curriculum for municipalities in cooperation with the different actors.

The Conference reaffirmed the commitment of the Italian Regions in support of local development in Lebanon and helped to strengthen the existing partnership between local

authorities in Lebanon and Italy as well as to identify new areas for further cooperation. Finally, Francesco Bicciato and Alessandra Testoni representing ART GOLD Lebanon and the

Italian Cooperation Office in Lebanon presented the closing recommendations that summarized the results of four working thematic groups, including the agreement to establish a joint

Lebanese – Italian committee to coordinate the DC partnerships between Lebanon and Italy.






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FORM No ………………………… ANNUAL PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT · achievement of work plan expected results. 2.2National Programme Officer 2.3 National Personnel 2.4 Int LEDA