LLA 301 Shaping public policy for South Lebanon was held in the wake of the recent conflict that left much of the South damaged and reconstruction efforts stalled. The workshop brought together 21 participants from the districts of Saida, Nabatieh and Bint Jbeil to craft municipal-level policy solutions rooted in local realities.

The participants, drawn from diverse professional and civic backgrounds, focused on transforming policy ideas developed during earlier training phases into practical advocacy campaigns tailored to the specific needs of their communities.

Among the standout initiatives was a campaign to expand renewable energy at the municipal level by enabling private investment—drawing inspiration from grassroots projects that have already provided viable power alternatives amid Lebanon’s ongoing energy crisis. Another group aimed to reposition Saida as a vibrant, year-round tourism destination, leveraging the city’s historical, cultural, and coastal assets to stimulate sustainable economic growth.

Waste management also featured prominently on the agenda. One team proposed a public awareness campaign to promote waste sorting at the source, alongside a user-pays model. The campaign emphasized youth engagement, school-based education, and coordinated efforts between residents, municipalities, and private service providers. A fourth group turned its focus to Lebanon’s escalating water crisis. Their campaign advocates for residents’ right to clean water by encouraging private sector involvement at the local level, activating media coverage, and mobilizing support from the Lebanese diaspora.

Despite the diversity of focus areas, all four campaigns shared a common approach: an emphasis on bottom-up mobilization, stakeholder dialogue, and strategic communication. For a region still grappling with the aftermath of war and a struggling national economy, the workshop underscored the critical role of local leadership in driving tangible change.

As South Lebanon faces a long road to recovery, these young leaders are working to ensure that municipal governments are not left waiting on top-down solutions—but instead become engines of local resilience and reform.

Click here to view the photo album from the LLA301 Workshop for South Lebanon.