Today the U.S. Embassy-funded Building Alliance for Local Advancement, Development, and Investment (BALADI) program launched the second call for applications for funding for municipal development projects at the Beirut Symposium in Sin El Fil. The launch took place in the presence of Ambassador David Hale and Head of the Office of Common Administration at the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities General Elias Khoury.
The BALADI project assists municipalities through the provision of in-kind competitive grants and technical assistance to implement community development activities. This support enhances the ability of municipalities to address long-term development needs. The BALADI Project is implemented throughout Lebanon by Caritas Lebanon and the Rene Moawad Foundation.
During the launch, Ambassador Hale voiced the support of the American government for Lebanon’s development and prosperity, emphasizing that through BALADI, the United States is committed to providing Lebanese from every community with access to reliable public services and active participation in local decision-making.
In 2013, the BALADI program held its first call for municipal applications, which resulted in the selection of 17 projects from 15 districts. These projects, totaling $3.6 million, involve 58 municipalities collaborating with 49 local organizations to benefit and improve the livelihoods of more than 100,000 people by the end of the program in 2017. Over the remaining course of the five-year, $26 million initiative, BALADI will support more than 40 additional new municipal development projects in Lebanon.
The application period will open from January 15 to March 5, 2015, during which 26 orientation sessions on the application submission process will be held in all communities across Lebanon. More information on the orientation sessions and how to submit an application can be found at the BALADI website http://baladi-lebanon.org/en