Under its Conflict and Violence Prevention (CVP) fund, which focuses on people-to-people
(P2P) engagement and process-led implementation, USAID’s Community Support Program
(CSP) facilitated a series of dialogues in ten conflict-prone communities to enhance social
cohesion and address key local issues. In El Khiara, a town in West Beqaa marked by political rivalries and weakened public service delivery, CSP’s efforts brought together 34 representatives from diverse community groups, including municipal council members, influential figures, members of the women’s cooperative, local civil society organizations, and educational institutions, with the aim of identifying shared challenges and fostering collaboration. To encourage sustained engagement across families and promote unity, P2P participants proposed activating a community Youth Club under the umbrella of El Khiara Municipality. Accordingly, CSP has assisted the community to equip the youth club with furniture, stationary, and sports equipment. In addition, CSP is performing light partitioning and flooring works to the club’s venue. This  intervention is expected to benefit around 100 youths from different backgrounds, providing a safe space for shared cultural, educational, and sports activities. Throughout November 2024, CSP delivered the equipment in three batches and kicked off minor rehabilitation works on November 21. “Delivering this USAID assistance despite the ongoing difficult conditions in the country is for us a ray of hope to keep working for the unity and long- term community cohesion in El Khiara, especially among our youths,” said Ali Chamieh, local activist and municipal member.