In a significant advancement towards integrating nature-based solutions (NBS) into Lebanon’s agricultural and educational sectors, a high-level delegation from the Lebanese Development Network (LDN) met with His Excellency Dr. Nizar Hani, Minister of Agriculture, to formalize a strategic cooperation framework under the EU-funded MEDSHIFTGREEN project.
The meeting, held at the Ministry’s headquarters, was attended by LDN President Amin Nehme, Secretary General Samer Aoun, Project Coordinator Ilda Nahas, Consultant Zeina Chalak, and Project Assistant Yara Hakim. Discussions focused on streamlining the project’s implementation across Lebanon, emphasizing practical Green Labs, educator training, and the integration of policies to promote sustainable agriculture and water management.
During the presentation, the LDN team outlined the core objectives of MEDSHIFTGREEN: establishing Interactive Green Labs to equip youth with practical skills in NBS, and developing a national policy toolkit to embed green competencies within vocational education. The Ministry’s role will be instrumental in co-designing curricula, facilitating access to pilot sites, and ensuring alignment with Lebanon’s broader agricultural strategies.
Amin Nehme, President of LDN, remarked, “This partnership signifies a pivotal moment. With the Ministry’s guidance, our Green Labs will address pressing local challenges while serving as a replicable model for the entire Mediterranean region. The support from the EU through Interreg NEXT MED enables us to bridge policy development, education, and community engagement.”
Both parties concurred on establishing a joint technical committee, which will convene bi-monthly to oversee the implementation of pilot projects, monitor progress, and ensure alignment with Lebanon’s National Adaptation Plan and the EU Green Deal. Immediate next steps include selecting two pilot regions for NBS interventions within the agricultural sector and launching a training program for extension officers.
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