Under the patronage of the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Ahmad Al-Hajjar, and in anticipation of the upcoming municipal elections in May 2025, The Center for Development, Democracy, and Governance (CDDG) and the Smart Municipality Academy (SMA), in partnership with Transparency International – Lebanon, organized a strategic workshop entitled “Developing Transparency Indicators in Municipal Work.”

This event is part of a broader series of initiatives aimed at strengthening trust between citizens and local administrations, implemented under the EU-funded “BINA’” project, which is managed by the Secretariat of Transparency International and Transparency International – Lebanon.

Held at the Hilton Habtoor Hotel in Beirut on Thursday, March 27, 2025, the workshop brought together key figures including Ms. Faten Abou Hesen, Director General of Local Councils and Administrations, representing the Minister of Interior and Municipalities; Ms. Bandy Dagher, Anti-Corruption Program Manager at the EU Delegation to Lebanon; Dr. Fawaz Kabbara, Vice President of the National Anti-Corruption Commission; Dr. Ali Badran, Member of the Commission; and Ms. Mariam Dimassi, representing Dr. Jean Alayli, President of the Public Procurement Authority.

Also in attendance were Judge Elie Maalouf, the President of the Deir El Ahmar Union of Municipalities, mayors from Kour and Rashemiya, researchers, representatives of civil society organizations, and experts and activists in the fields of transparency and reform.

Moderated by journalist Zwein, the workshop served as a unique platform for presenting and discussing Lebanon’s first municipal transparency indicators ahead of their official launch. The event marked a significant step toward enhancing good governance in municipalities, aiming for more efficient and sustainable local administration.