400 businesses managed by women were surveyed in 4 casas of Lebanon…

130 micro-entrepreneurs women were trained…

A network of 400 women was created and consolidated

These women were gathered around common objectives: express themselves, live their passions, achieve their dreams and goals, insure life sustainability and gain economic security in their villages.

Under the frame of the EU funded project “Social and Economic Promotion of Rural Women, through the development of Tourism, Hospitality and Network of micro-businesses” and in order to promote the socio-economic role of the micro-entrepreneurs women in the rural areas, PRODES has undergone a cycle of activities in the rural areas of Jbeil, Batroun, Bcharre and Deir El Ahmar.  A survey was done on around 400 micro-businesses managed by women in the districts of Jbeil, Batroun, Bcharre and Deir EL Ahmar Federation. The diversity of these micro-businesses enriched this study, and offered a general overview on the actual situation of the rural micro-businesses in Lebanese villages.

Women were invited to a training cycle about” How to professionalize a micro-business”. 5 workshops were organized in 6 villages, gathering around 130 micro-entrepreneurs. The main output of this training was the redaction and elaboration of a business plan allowing them to structure more their business, promote their production and increase their profit.

Not only trainings were delivered, but also professional links were done with micro-finance institutions such as AEP, VITAS, Georges Frem foundation, Caritas, BLC Bank, CLD and National Commission of the Lebanese Womn. Micro-credits were presented to these women in a very simple way. Around 20% of these women applied to some micro-credits offers and succeed in getting a certain cash amount.

As a further step, 3 monitoring visits were delivered to these women, allowing trainers to consolidate the new skills and knowledge acquired during these sessions and respond to their inquiries and questions.

Results were magnificients: women started to use daily accounting materials such as receipts, bills and the accounting books. They have chosen their business names, designed a logo, a flyer and a business card. Labels were done to Mouneh and pastries products. A Business plan is nowadays representing each micro-business…An initiative by BLC bank was supporting each training cycle. 3 best projects were selected in each locality and received prizes which may help them in buying a machine, print flyers, manage their space, etc.

Municipalities are playing also an important role in supporting this mission and activities and in motivating their local communities. Collaboration was established with 7 municipalities (Jbeil, Ehmej, Douma, Eibrine, Bcharre, Deir El Ahmar, Chatine) and 5 associations (WADA, Red Cross, Grenn party of Lebanon, Don Bosco community, Douma Festival)…each partner contributed in a way towards achieving successful activities and results.