Three participatory workshops bring local stakeholders together to turn community priorities into practical steps for Hima management.

A series of three participatory workshops has culminated in a detailed five-year action plan for Hima Abadieh. Developed under the SDC-funded project, “Upper Beirut River Valley: Towards Establishing Lebanon’s First Natural Park,” the process placed local knowledge and community priorities at the centre of planning.

The workshops brought together representatives of the municipality, municipal committees, the agricultural cooperative, women’s associations, scouts and schools, alongside women, farmers and young people. Their different experiences helped participants build a shared understanding of the Hima’s needs, challenges and opportunities.

From understanding challenges to setting objectives

Participants began by assessing current conditions and examining the roles of different stakeholders. They then developed a problem tree to explore how local challenges relate to their underlying causes and wider effects.

An objective tree helped translate those challenges into desired improvements. This gave participants a basis for identifying priorities and agreeing on the actions needed to address them.

A shared framework for action

The resulting five-year action plan provides a practical framework to guide management efforts and coordinate local contributions. By linking the assessment of current conditions with agreed objectives and concrete actions, the workshops turned community knowledge into a shared direction for Hima Abadieh.

The process also helped strengthen relationships and shared responsibility among participants. This local ownership will be important in carrying the plan forward and contributing to the wider vision of a Natural Park rooted in its communities.