Third call for proposals by US-funded BALADI 

The USAID- funded Building Alliance for Local Advancement, Development and Investment (BALADI) program kicked off yesterday its third call for proposals to support municipal development plans in response to the Lebanese host community needs. The launching was made during a press conference attended by the USAID director in Lebanon, Ann Patterson, and Michel Mouwad, CEO of Rene Mouwad Foundation (RMF), the agency implementing the project. RMF CEO pointed out on the occasion that BALADI is not just a set of endeavors with municipalities and community organizations, but in fact represents a successful model of collaboration between civil society associations, donor parties, local authorities (namely municipalities) and the private sector. Said cooperation, Mouwad stated, has proved its efficacy, pointing to accomplishments of the past two stages of the program, which are: 57 projects from the north to the south in coordination with some 130 municipalities partnering with local community groups and the private sector which directly benefitted more than 100 thousand persons. Mouwad maintained that genuine development in Lebanon can hardly be realized without involving local authorities and municipalities which are more aware of the needs of their communities. For her part, Patterson said there is still much to do, noting that municipalities are facing real challenges on the level of human and financial resources due to a high demand for their services. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, July 7, 2017)
 

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USAID program to receive project proposals from municipalities