Bekaa Dialogue - phase 3

This project for continued support to the Bekaa Dialogue Group (BDG) and conflict sensitivity support and capacity development to the Bekaa Water Establishment (BWE), constitutes a third phase of the Creating Space for Peace project. This phase of work builds on the achieves and learning of the previous two phases. In Phases I and II the Bekaa Dialogue Group (BDG) was established and its capacities built on conflict-mapping, conflict-analysis, and facilitation skills. In Phase II the BDG identified as three topics which cause high conflict and tensions, these were: (a) Education, (b) Protection, and (c) Natural Resource Management. Phases I and II of this project constituted piloting and proof of concept of the dialogue model and the approach of integrating conflict sensitivity into water management in the Bekaa: developing a dialogue mechanism (facilitating dialogue, supporting initiatives and establishing a platform for increased outreach through the conference). Phase III aims at consolidating the learning and building on these results to a) further strengthen and grow the dialogue mechanism, with a focus on local ownership and sustainability, b) develop and connect up additional dialogue groups, and c) connect up the dialogue process with key institutions, such as the BWE to address tensions. Alongside this process, Alert will continue to work directly with the BWE, in partnership with SDC UNICEF and others, to develop its capacities and cultures to identify, manage and ultimately mitigate tensions related to water services in Bekaa. This third phase will focus on capitalisation of learning, scale up and replication of the dialogue mechanisms, transfer of capacities and evidencing the approach for similar dialogue and conflict mitigation projects in Lebanon. The project activities will be implemented over 15 months from Jan 2019 – March 2020.