Brief Project Description

One of the ultimate objectives of the Community Support Program (CSP) was the sustainable management of water in the densely populated area of Akkar.  The CEEDD, through a grant fund from CSP, proposed several activities that help spread water awareness in the Akkar district.  The project had a main objective as stipulated in the project proposal:

- Build the capacity of the teachers to raise the students’ awareness pertaining to the water conservation in the Akkar district.

The above objectives were met through a set of activities including teachers’ and school staff trainings and coaching, pre- and post-tests in schools, and student congresses.  Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in February 2020, a hybrid methodology whereby presential and digital resources and tools were proposed.

Through the project activities (from October 1^st, 2020 to June 15^th, 2021), the indicated targets whereby sustainable water use and management awareness was raised among 55 students and 10 principals and teachers at the school in Akkar/Bebnine, at Al Mourabia Marzouka Al Mouzakzek Public School for Girls.

Key Achievements 

The project’s key achievements are listed below:

• Teachers’ positive feedback about CEEDD’s sustainable development training and coaching.

• 10 principals and teachers were trained. Towards the end of each teachers’ training session, an evaluation form was distributed to all attendees. The general feedback was highly positive and the comments constructive. 
• Teachers were coached on the implementation of interdisciplinary projects with their students. Be it in conducting project-based learning or in promoting awareness and knowledge among the students about the importance of sustainable water management, the principals and teachers showed engagement and positive change in attitude.
• The one-on-one follow-up support was especially appreciated after repetitive schools’ closures due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Then, teachers had an exceptional teaching load in a short period which made any support for extra-curriculum activities crucial. Therefore, assistance they received from the CSP team, and the CEEDD team was highly valued.

• Students’ enthusiasm to implementing the water projects
  • Students’ final congress and the posting their work on social media allowed an extended visibility for the multidisciplinary projects.
  • As a result of administering the pre-test, 54 students expressed their willingness to participate in the project. 20 additional students joined the project as a result of their peers’ excitement.

• Adaptation of the remaining interventions to COVID-19. The CEEDD team proposed a way to harness digital resources and tools to continue engaging and triggering behavioral change in youth towards sustainable water use and management.