Majdal Anjar

Lebanon

From the Fringes to the Fore

Improving community life in a diverse and cultural city.

Since Young Cities launched in Lebanon in 2018, younf activists from Majdal Anjar have been working to empower different communities in a city whose makeup has changed drastically over the last decade as thousands of refugees have come from Syria. Young Cities has enabled 6 youth-led projects in the city and trained 26 young activists, who have used a variety of creative approaches to help bridge the divide between Syrian and Lebanese youth, close intergenerational gaps and showcase all the city has to offer in terms of its diversity and culture.

All our work in Majdal Anjar has been planned and delivered in close collaboration with our local partner, INITIATE, and with the support from the municipal Local Prevention Network.

Our Impact in Majdal Anjar

We aim for relevant and strategic impact at scale. Working closely with young people in identifying the needs of their communities and the challenges they face, we ensure that the solutions we support them in developing are targeted and sustainable.

To View a City Through a Different Lens

Three years of project development to change people’s perspectives within the city, and about the city.

The city of Majdal Anjar faces a series of challenges because of its proximity to the Syrian border: stereotypes of the city among the broader Lebanese population, hardened inter-communal attitudes, an alienated youth population and a slew of misinformation circulating among its residents.

Young Cities has supported the development of projects in the city since 2018, with each tackling a different but interrelated issue: building social cohesion through sports and filmmaking, improving intergenerational relationships to encourage youth inclusion, challenging the city’s stereotypes through youth-led photography, and building digital literacy among young people to counter inter-communal hate speech on social media.

Majdal Anjar Projects

Through mentorship, seed-funding and network-building, we support young people to transform ideas into tangible initiatives that make a positive change in their communities.

project

Sawa (Ambassador Grant)

Lebanon | Majdal Anjar

A training on peacebuilding, a workshop on video production and social media campaign helped to build bridges between Lebanese and Syrian youth in Majdal Anjar.

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project

Chess Book

Lebanon | Majdal Anjar

A social media campaign and book exchange event are helping to encourage residents of Majdal Anjar to take more pride in the culture the city has to offer.

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project

Web+ (Ambassador Grant)

Lebanon | Majdal Anjar

A project that proactively tackled online and offline disinformation related to COVID-19 among young people in Majdal Anjar.

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project

Photos Speak

Lebanon | Majdal Anjar

A team take to the streets to photograph their city, highlighting its vibrancy and character to reduce negative stereotypes.

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project

Point of View

Lebanon | Majdal Anjar

An online video series that breaks down negative stereotypes about Palestinian refugees in the camp of Ein El Helweh .

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Testimonials

“Thanks to this project and the relationships I’ve built through it, there are now places I’ve visited for the first time in my own town where we’re having a lot of impact”

Team member

Photos Speak

“This initiative has helped to activate youth and has pushed them to get involved and express themselves. Its therefore created an opportunity for dialogue around their image and role in society”

Municipal Representative

Majdal Anjar

Gallery

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Our partners

The organisations and municipal governments we work with are essential to the success of the Young Cities programme. Together, we continue to effect genuine, relevant change in the communities in which we work.

INITIATE

INITIATE have been collaborating with Young Cities since our inception. They guide our campaign activities with their on-the-ground expertise and knowledge. From Youth Innovation Labs in Majdal Anjar, Saida and Tripoli to supporting reconstruction efforts in Beirut, INITIATE are a valued partner in all of our work in Lebanon.

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Majdal Anjar, Lebanon

The city of Majdal Anjar through its membership of the Local Prevention Network has been dedicated to providing invaluable access for our campaign activities. We liaise with them closely to ensure not only that the campaigns are as impactful as possible but our young activists are safe and secure in the city.

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