ILO and KfW Visit Projects in North Lebanon Backed by Employment-Intensive Program

In a collaborative effort to evaluate the impact of employment-driven infrastructure development, representatives from the German Development Bank (KfW) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) recently conducted a field mission in northern Lebanon. The delegation visited multiple project sites implemented under the ILO’s Employment-Intensive Infrastructure Programme (EIIP)—a program funded by the German Government through KfW—which is designed to tackle both infrastructure needs and unemployment in vulnerable communities.

The visit provided a hands-on opportunity for both organizations to engage directly with stakeholders, workers, and beneficiaries. Through on-site discussions and observations, the delegation assessed the socio-economic contributions of labour-based infrastructure development, focusing on its effectiveness in promoting decent work, local economic development, and environmental resilience.

Rehabilitating Public Infrastructure in Deddeh

The delegation began its field mission in Deddeh Municipality, located in the Koura district of North Lebanon. There, they inspected a recently completed municipal building rehabilitation project. This initiative was not only a much-needed upgrade to local public infrastructure but also a significant source of short-term employment.

Structural deterioration in the building had necessitated major interventions. The rehabilitation included:

• Extensive concrete and structural repairs;

• Roofing reconstruction;

• Electrical and plumbing system upgrades;

• Construction of a new upper floor;

• Installation of accessibility features including ramps, an elevator, and an accessible restroom.

Implemented through labour-intensive methods, the project created 185 short-term job opportunities, with 26 percent of these positions filled by women. This high level of female participation is especially notable in the traditionally male-dominated construction sector. The ILO emphasized that on-the-job skills training was a key element in enabling women to take part in skilled roles. Additionally, the project ensured adherence to safety standards and decent work conditions through coordinated oversight by the ILO, contractors, and local authorities.

Supporting Agriculture and Environmental Resilience in Fih

The next stop was Fih village, where the delegation visited a land reclamation and fencing initiative. Implemented with the support of Lebanon’s Green Plan—the Ministry of Agriculture’s ecological wing—and the Lebanese Reforestation Initiative (LRI) NGO, the project seeks to promote sustainable land management and support local farming communities.

At the site, the delegation met with workers and a local farmer whose land has directly benefited from the intervention. The project’s objectives include:

• Protecting valuable arable land from encroachment and degradation;

• Improving conditions for small-scale agriculture;

• Strengthening environmental sustainability in the region;

• Creating employment for rural workers in economically marginalized areas.

The fencing and land recovery works are being carried out using employment-intensive techniques, which not only minimize costs but also maximize the economic benefit to local labor markets. These approaches align with EIIP’s philosophy of leveraging infrastructure investment as a direct job creation strategy in fragile contexts.

Reinforcing EIIP’s Dual Mandate

Throughout the mission, KfW and ILO representatives, alongside local municipal officials and NGO partners, gathered critical feedback from project beneficiaries and community members. Discussions highlighted the value of EIIP’s dual-objective model, which aims to:

1. Address urgent infrastructure and environmental needs, and

2. Generate decent, short-term employment opportunities—particularly for vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and low-skilled workers.

The delegation observed how the program not only enhances physical infrastructure but also empowers local communities through capacity building, skills development, and economic inclusion.

Long-Term Impact and Regional Relevance

As Lebanon continues to grapple with deep economic and social challenges, initiatives like EIIP serve as a practical example of how international cooperation can deliver tangible development outcomes. With the support of the German government and the technical expertise of the ILO, these projects demonstrate that infrastructure can be a tool not just for physical development, but also for social stability, poverty reduction, and human capital investment.

Moving forward, both KfW and the ILO reaffirmed their commitment to expanding employment-intensive programs in Lebanon and other fragile settings, recognizing their role in promoting resilience, dignity, and inclusive economic recovery.