LIVCD Quarterly Progress Report - Year 6, Quarter 1

The project contributes to USAID/Lebanon's Development Objective 2, which aims to enhance economic opportunity for the poorest segments of Lebanese society, particularly in areas outside metro Beirut. LIVCD provides assistance to micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including farmers and entrepreneurs in rural areas, to upgrade targeted value chains and support jobs and incomes. In the initial phase of the activity in Year 1, LIVCD conducted in-depth assessments of 10 value chains to select target value chains for upgrading. The assessments identified the constraints and opportunities for each value chain to increase competitiveness and an upgrading strategy with a range of activities to address these constraints. The following value chains were selected and approved by USAID: Pome Fruit (Apples and Pears), Stone Fruit – Avocado, Stone Fruit – Cherry, Grapes, Olive Oil, Processed Foods, Honey, Rural Basket, Rural Tourism and handicrafts, and Floriculture. During the quarter, a key focus for LIVCD's teams was the evaluation of new grant applications and preparation and submission of those approved for review by USAID. Final approval was received for six grant applications with a combined LIVCD contribution of $905,411. Grants covered all the value chains, with a focus on improved post-harvest management and cold chain logistics. As of December 31, additional grant applications were in the process of being completed before submission for review by USAID. The grants and technical teams worked closely with Social Impact (SI) during November and December to arrange and make site visits to grantees to inspect equipment and assess progress. Identification of robust partners willing to co-invest under the cherry value chain continued to be challenging, but as of the end of the quarter, one cherry value chain grant was awarded, a second was almost complete, and a third was at the expression of interest stage. The LIVCD project has made significant progress in upgrading targeted value chains and supporting jobs and incomes in rural areas. The project's focus on improved post-harvest management and cold chain logistics has the potential to increase competitiveness and improve the quality of products. The project's collaboration with Social Impact and other partners has also facilitated the identification of robust partners willing to co-invest in the cherry value chain.