Project Overview

TThe STEPping up Nature Reserves Capacity – STEP4Nature project aims to enhance the protection and sustainable use of Lebanon’s natural resources and rich biodiversity, with a particular focus on Akkar and North Lebanon. The project promotes nature-based solutions to conservation challenges while supporting rural livelihoods, preserving cultural heritage, improving climate resilience, reducing environmental risks (such as land degradation, floods and forest fires), and contributing to improved well-being and job creation for local communities, particularly women and vulnerable groups.

Lebanon’s natural heritage, especially within protected areas and other important natural landscapes, is characterized by a high level of biodiversity and unique ecosystems that require urgent and sustained conservation efforts. At the same time, these natural assets offer significant, yet largely untapped economic opportunities, particularly in remote rural areas. Through a community-based approach, the project will promote nature-based tourism and other sustainable, environmentally friendly economic activities to create local job opportunities and enhance community resilience.

The project aligns with the Ministry of Environment’s vision to promote sustainable livelihoods and environmental stewardship, and it supports national priorities as outlined in the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 2016–2030), which serves as Lebanon’s national framework for implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It also supports Lebanon’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) by advancing nature-based climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. Additionally, the project contributes to the objectives of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) through activities that prevent land degradation and promote sustainable land management.

Project Objective

• Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management: Enhance the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity in Akkar and North Lebanon.
• Nature-Based Solutions for Environmental Restoration: Promote and implement Nature-Based Solutions to address land degradation, water pollution, and ecosystem degradation.
• Climate Resilience and Risk Reduction: Strengthen the resilience of ecosystems and local communities to climate-related risks through integrated watershed and forest management.
• Inclusive Livelihoods and Local Economic Development: Support sustainable, nature-based livelihoods and job creation, with a focus on women and vulnerable groups.

Achievements & Key Figures

• Integrated Watershed Management Plan for the Oustouane River watershed completed, including GIS-based vulnerability, land degradation, and climate risk assessments (2026).
• High-resolution spatial mapping finalized, with cadastral maps and shapefile layers produced and shared with municipalities for local planning and decision-making (2026).
• Nature-Based Solutions portfolio fully developed and prioritized using Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), covering agroforestry, terrace rehabilitation, forest management, rangeland management, and fire-risk mitigation (2026).
• Key Figures
  •    3 flagship protected areas supported: Horsh Ehden, Tannourine Cedar Forest, Karm Chbat
  •    1 major watershed targeted: Oustouane River watershed in Akkar
  •    1 Integrated Watershed Management Plan completed
  •    Multiple priority sites identified for agroforestry, terrace rehabilitation, and urban/peri-urban forestry
   

GESI Component (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion)

The project ensures that environmental benefits and economic opportunities reach marginalized groups:

• Gender considerations are integrated at all stages of project design, implementation, and monitoring.
• Women, youth, and vulnerable groups are prioritized as beneficiaries across all Nature-Based Solutions interventions.
• Priority is given to women beneficiaries in the rehabilitation of abandoned agricultural terraces, including women landowners and women-headed households, to strengthen access to productive assets and income opportunities.
• Women are actively engaged in participatory planning, consultations, and decision-making processes related to watershed management, forest restoration, and land-use planning.
• Targeted, accessible training is provided to enhance women’s technical skills in agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, beekeeping, and agro-food value chains.
• Activities are designed to avoid reinforcing inequalities and to promote safe, inclusive participation.