LIMS organized two workshops on May 27 and May 28, 2023, in the cities of Beirut and Tripoli. The workshops delved into the pressing economic challenges currently plaguing Lebanon and shed light on the role that municipalities can play in revitalizing prosperity. Participants included reform-minded candidates preparing for the forthcoming municipal elections and activists seeking alternatives to traditional sectarian political parties.
Each workshop comprised three sessions. The first session concentrated on region-specific economic challenges such as local governance, encompassing political, security, and administrative interventions that impede the decision-making processes at the municipal level. Additionally, the underutilization of local assets, such as the ports in both Beirut and Tripoli, along with other commercial and historical areas, was addressed. The second session focused on tackling cross-regional economic challenges such as the prevalent electricity outages, the need for efficient waste management systems, and the increase in crime levels and insecurity. The third session served as an opportunity for the participants to collaboratively develop a set of recommendations. Moreover, a committee was appointed to disseminate these findings at the local level.
Key recommendations included (1) engaging in decentralization and granting further autonomy for municipalities, (2) highlighting and leveraging private initiatives to enhance the image of the regions, (3) collaborating with the private sector on the rehabilitation and operation of commercial, cultural, historical, and tourist attractions, (4) encouraging private investments in electricity and facilitating the integration with local microgrids or national power grids, (5) promoting competition in waste management and allowing for diverse pricing structures, (6) involving entrepreneurs in the development of innovative solutions for resolving transportation issues, and (7) the reinforcement of the rule of law at the municipal level.
These proposed ideas will undergo more comprehensive and detailed discussions in future workshops. The intention is to build upon the existing foundation, gathering additional insights and expertise.