The Rene Moawwad Foundation for promoting social and rural development (RMF), launched yesterday the second phase of the USAID-funded Building Alliance for Local Advancement and Investment program, BALADI. RMF CEO Michel Moawwad announced the names of the upcoming projects to be implemented by his organization in cooperation with CARITAS Lebanon. Moawwad revealed that some 42 projects have been selected from 160 local municipalities. The projects will cover the following areas: agricultural industries, irrigation canals, drinking water, rural tourism, public education, centers for entrepreneurships and vocational training, health, youth sports and social centers and solar power systems. Reportedly, about 92 municipalities and villages across Lebanon, and some 77 local NGOs, will participate in improving the living standards of some one quarter of a million of people by the completion of the program in 2017. (Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, December 11, 2015)