Objectives

The project aims to strengthen governance in Ein El Hilweh camp by fostering inclusive engagement among key stakeholders through the redesign of the UNRWA school compound, with the goal of reducing conflict drivers, promoting social cohesion, and contributing to improved security and lasting peace within the camp.

Components

Firstly, the project includes mapping political stakeholders in the camp, the development of an engagement framework to support sustained mediation and open space for participatory processes, the conduct of round table discussions and learning cycles to discuss and address governance issues. Additionally, the project provides support for the establishment or activation of an interministerial committee to foster collaboration and communication between different entities, to facilitate increased dialogue between hosting government institutions and camps governance actors within the refugee camp. At the community level, the project uses an inclusive co-design approach to the remodeling of key communal spaces like schools and the creation of a community space.

Main achievements

Preparatory activities were conducted, including the engagement of an urban design architect to support mapping political and tribal actors, facilitating workshops with camp committee members on safeguarding public spaces, and co-designing an inclusive school. Initial site visits to Ein El Hilweh camp and the school compound were carried out in collaboration with UNRWA engineers. Additionally, productive discussions have taken place with Professor Andrea Rigon from Politecnico di Milano regarding the co-design of a school located at the intersection of conflicting parties and the establishment of a communal space for women and girls.

Impact

The pilot intervention is expected to lead to more transparent, inclusive, and accountable governance in Ein El Hilweh camp, addressing root causes of conflict and promoting sustainable peace locally, nationally, and regionally. It will also serve as a proof of concept for implementation in other camps in Lebanon.