Ford grants boost Lebanese Youth's environmental campaign

This time, members of the Youth Environment Parliament - a group of student organisations and teachers working with the Lebanese Appropriate Technology Association (LATA) - are undertaking a massive environmental campaign through the creation of tree nurseries for schools.

Targeting more than 2000 schools throughout the country, the initiative seeks to help address the dwindling numbers of trees as a result of war and forest fires in Lebanon.

The project began in 2007, with 50 schools as the first group of participants.

Since then, the inspirational campaign has drawn the interest of various municipalities and local communities.

The Lebanese Appropriate Technology Association (LATA) provided critical technical assistance to YEP for setting up and nurturing the tree nurseries.

"The war not only brought destruction to our economies, but it also led to the destruction of our forests. Trees are an important aspect of our ecosystem, and are in many ways linked to our survival and progress as a nation," said Boghos Ghougassian, secretary general, LATA.

"We wanted to make a difference, and thought about helping to address this problem affecting forests as our way of helping heal our people and our land," he added.

With young people at the forefront of the campaign, the tree nursery for schools project is being likened to rebirth in Lebanon.

"We hope we can touch the hearts and minds of students that they too can make a difference. So it was an absolute delight when we were told we were chosen as one of the recipients of Ford Motor Company's Conservation and Environmental Grants. We now have additional resources to be able to reach out to more youth, to educate them and invite them to be a part of this green revolution in Lebanon," continued Ghougassian.

YEP is utilizing the grant towards the production of technical instruction manuals, a simple how-to guide on planting tree seedlings.

Training sessions for schools and municipalities on various tree planting methods are also in the pipeline as part of the project's long-term initiative.

"With the funding from Ford, we can now produce 10,000 users guides and wall charts on tree planting to be distributed to 2700 schools and 900 municipalities, free of charge. This is a significant boost that will help ensure the success of the project," he ended.

Individuals or groups with ongoing environmental projects can also benefit from the Ford Grants.

This year, the Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants mark their ninth consecutive year in helping individuals and groups to continue with their existing environmental projects.

Since their inception in the region in 2000, the Grants have awarded nearly $700,000 of vital support to almost 100 projects.

An independent jury panel comprising academics, government officials and environmentalists will select deserving projects active in any of the three following categories: natural environment, environmental education, or conservation engineering.

Non-profit making and grassroots level initiatives may apply for funding. The project must be ongoing to be eligible for review.