Strengthening the ecological and socio-economic resilience of West Bekaa and Mount Lebanon landscapes through sustaining their cultural practices

As part of MAVA funded project “Strengthening the ecological and socio-economic resilience of West Bekaa and Mount Lebanon landscapes through sustaining their cultural practices”, SPNL conducted a capacity building training on March 27, 2021 at Homat Al Hima International Center in Kherbet Kanafar, West Bekaa.
Ms. Jamal Hamzeh, project manager started the training by providing an introduction about the project, its associated cultural practices that include livestock grazing, agricultural terracing, and medicinal/edible plants harvesting, in addition to the project’s different strategies. She also explained the main objective of the training which is to sustainably use those cultural practices to maintain and strengthen not only the landscape and its biodiversity, but also the livelihoods of the communities surrounding the landscape, especially women through the production of cultural-based services and food products.
Afterwards, the research & Development specialist and food manufacturing consultant, Mr. Fady Abi Nader provided comprehensive sessions on the benefits of some medicinal/edible plants, hygiene and safety standards, and the production of homemade goat cheese & pizza sauce mixed with traditional Lebanese herbs.
Fifteen women from West Bekaa region, specifically from Hima Kherbet Kanafar, Hima Ain Zebdeh, and Saghbine attended the training.
The training also celebrated Mother’s day, whereby souvenirs were distributed to the participating women.