Bekaa Women Lead: Enhancing Women’s Political Participation
March 2025 - June 2025
Peace of Art led the Bekaa Women Lead campaign in Al-Ain, Baalbek-Hermel, as part of the national “Women, Youth, Peace and Security” program in partnership with Search for Common Ground and with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). In collaboration with local partners CLAC-Qaa, Learn Through Action, USPEaK, and Sawa for Development, the initiative empowered women through training on electoral laws, political participation, and community leadership. Over three months, Peace of Art facilitated interactive workshops, guided women through developing grassroots action plans, and provided mentorship to ensure local initiatives could take root. The campaign engaged women from remote and underserved areas, helped build confidence, fostered political dialogue, and paved the way for real participation in the upcoming municipal and local elections. With inclusive approaches and locally relevant strategies, Peace of Art continues to champion women’s leadership in shaping the political future of their communities.
Arabic Creators: Empowering Youth to Create Arabic Digital Content
March 2025
Peace of Art proudly launched Arabic Creators—an award-winning youth-led initiative recognized with the 2025 Ciena Solutions Challenge Sustainability Award—to address the critical gap in engaging, high-quality Arabic educational content. Inspired by the success of the "Stories in Colours" project, Peace of Art mobilized its students and young participants to co-create interactive Arabic-language digital content using AI, animation, and multimedia tools. Through training workshops in storytelling, content design, and digital media production, the project empowers marginalized youth to become producers of culturally relevant educational material rather than passive consumers. The initiative promotes inclusive learning, digital literacy, and gender equity while preserving cultural identity and supporting SDGs related to education, equality, and climate awareness. With the Ciena award support, Peace of Art is scaling this work to expand content libraries, train more youth, and continue building a vibrant ecosystem for Arabic digital education from the heart of the Northern Bekaa to classrooms around the world.
Kulluna Muwatinun: We are All Citizens
February 2025 - March 2026
As a key implementing partner in the regional "We Are All Citizens" project led by PAX for Peace, Peace of Art plays a role in advancing youth-led peacebuilding and inclusive citizenship across Lebanon and the MENA region. Operating primarily in the Northern Bekaa, Peace of Art is working on transformative programming focused on Leadership Training, Debate, Youth, Peace & Security (YPS), Freedom of Religion and Belief (FORB), participatory Research, and structured Round Tables and Dialogue Circles. Through targeted Stakeholder Visits and the implementation of Community Social Projects, this project nurtures young leaders as changemakers in their communities. Uniquely positioned as a youth-led cultural and peacebuilding hub, Peace of Art also is serving as a regional coach, supporting partner organizations across Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Yemen in mainstreaming youth-inclusive strategies and localizing UNSCR 2250. By facilitating learning spaces and guiding grassroots action, Peace of Art is not only impacting local dynamics in Lebanon, but also shaping a regional movement where young voices drive sustainable peace, intercommunal understanding, and resilient civic participation.
Stories in Colours: Children Tell Stories Of Climate Change
January 2025 - April 2025
Stories in Colours: Children Tell Stories of Climate Change is a creative, community-driven educational initiative led by Peace of Art in partnership with the Human Security Collective and local actors in Northern Bekaa, Lebanon. Rooted in a participatory action research approach and emerging from intensive training programs, the project was implemented in the town of Fakiha and centered around the theme of “Open and Safe Spaces.” Engaging 16 children aged 8 to 15 from conflict-affected communities, the initiative used storytelling as a powerful tool for environmental education, trauma processing, and creative empowerment. Through a series of guided workshops in a transformed community space in Ain, children explored the impact of climate change—particularly as intensified by the effects of war—through imaginative expression, expert discussions, and collaborative story creation. Their efforts culminated in an illustrated, original story that reflects their concerns, hopes, and ideas for a more sustainable future. Local educators and trainers were involved in parallel capacity-building sessions to embed storytelling methods into school curricula and community programs, fostering long-term educational impact and civic engagement. By nurturing emotional connection, environmental awareness, and youth agency, Stories in Colours promotes inclusive dialogue, intergenerational healing, and grassroots leadership—offering a model for how art and imagination can create safe, transformative spaces for children and communities to address climate and social challenges together.
Mentorship for Youth and Women on Traditional Food Production
September 2024 - November 2024
Peace of Art is championing economic empowerment through its Mentorship for Youth and Women on Traditional Food Production initiative in Jdeideh-Fakiha. Delivered from Peace of Art’s community space, the program provides practical, hands-on training in preparing and packaging traditional Lebanese dishes, with a focus on building skills that promote cultural preservation and financial independence. Running from September to November 2024, the initiative equips women and youth with knowledge they can use to launch small-scale culinary ventures, preserve heritage, and contribute to household and community livelihoods—demonstrating Peace of Art’s holistic approach to empowerment through culture and creativity. The participants provided hot-meals to displaced families and individuals inside local shelters during the war.
Stories of War: Recreational Activities for Children in Local Shelters
September 2024 - November 2024
In response to the psychological toll of conflict, Peace of Art and in partnership with the Himan Security Collective launched Stories of War—a series of recreational sessions designed by local actors, and implemented with a group of volunteers, offering over 50 children in Fakiha, Jdeideh, and Ras Baalbeck a safe, nurturing space for play, creativity, and healing. Between September and November 2024, Peace of Art facilitated 12 structured sessions using art, music, storytelling, and games to support children’s emotional well-being, communication skills, and social development. By creating joyful spaces led by trained facilitators, the initiative helps children regain a sense of normalcy and resilience within the local shelters and schools while reinforcing Peace of Art’s mission to use art as a bridge for psychosocial support in crisis-affected communities.
Roots to Rivers Project
May 2024 - October 2024
The Roots to Rivers project, launched in Main 2024, Al Ain, focused on empowering 40 youth and engaging local communities and municipalities in eco-tourism development. Over a period of six months, the initiative included site visits, a youth-led camp, and trainings in media production and environmental preservation. Through collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Youth and Sports, the project highlighted the region’s water resources, nature trails, flora, and fauna while promoting reforestation and sustainability. It also supported the creation of a youth-run camping site, fostering both environmental stewardship and cultural heritage preservation. The project aimed to promote eco-tourism as a tool for environmental protection and community development in the Assi River Villages. It sought to build youth capacities in media, eco-tourism, and sustainable practices, while encouraging joint efforts between municipalities and national institutions. By engaging 40 direct beneficiaries—20 males and 20 females from both Lebanese and Syrian communities—the initiative strengthened local pride, cross-cultural collaboration, and long-term commitment to preserving the region’s natural and cultural identity.
We Are the Future
2023 - 2025
Peace of Art leads the implementation of We Are the Future—a high-impact youth empowerment initiative funded by the U.S. Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section in Beirut—bringing together 180 young participants from diverse backgrounds to build their skills in civic engagement, media literacy, and storytelling. Through a rich curriculum designed and facilitated by Peace of Art, youth are trained in civil education, journalism, filmmaking, content creation, and communication arts. The project also features dynamic roundtable discussions and a special session on American culture, creating meaningful cross-cultural dialogue and promoting youth participation in public life. With Peace of Art’s guidance, the program cultivates confident, informed, and creative youth ready to lead change in their communities and beyond.
Musawat Program
2022 - 2023
The collaboration between Peace of Art and PAX resulted in a transformative project that empowered young women and men to address religious and belief-based discrimination across social, legal, and digital spheres. Supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the initiative championed Freedom of Religion or Belief (ForB), encouraging dialogue, civic engagement, and equal rights regardless of background. Participants had open dialogue with local and religious leaders. Innovative methods were employed to raise awareness about FoRB (Freedom of Religion and Belief), including the organization of four impactful round tables where youth engaged with religious leaders from different sects. The project also included 3 Murals painted in 3 different corners of Lebanon (Ain, Tripoli, Beirut) highlighting equality and acceptance. A documentary was produced to showcase the context of FoRB in Lebanon hosting religious leaders and experts from around Lebanon, alongside a comprehensive training curriculum covering advocacy, leadership, and communication skills. This collaboration underscored the potential of art to unite diverse communities and empower youth as effective advocates for change.
We Play for Peace
2019
Funded by the EuroMed Feminist project, 'Art Rise Against SGBV' is a 6-month initiative targeting 100 young individuals from Baalbek-Hermel (Syrian and Lebanese origins), focusing on various art activities to raise awareness against Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). The program encompasses art therapy, media content training, and video production for advocacy, aiming to enhance strategic planning abilities, evidence-based knowledge, communication skills, peer-to-peer education, and partnership strategies with organizations devoted to gender equality and women’s rights. The overall goal is to mitigate youth tensions, bolster their capacity to express ideas and advocate for causes through art and media, improve their stance on women's rights and gender equality, address GBSV issues, and equip them with tools to advocate for women and girls both privately and publicly while fostering a nonjudgmental acceptance of others.
2020
Funded by UNAOC through the Youth Solidarity Program (YSF), ‘We Play for Peace’ presents an innovative project centered on leveraging sports as a catalyst for fostering a culture of peace. This initiative aims to bridge divisions among Syrian Sunni and Lebanese Sunni, Shiite, and Christian youth in Northern Bekaa through the training of community coaches. These coaches served as advocates for peer-group peacebuilding, orchestrating engaging activities such as basketball, football, volleyball, and yoga. The project included the training of ten community coaches to become proficient in steering peer-group peacebuilding and communication skills through sport. Over a six-month span, the project involved 100 marginalized youth, integrating sports like volleyball, and yoga with purposeful peacebuilding activities within their peer circles. Additionally, the project included the creation and publishing of a trainers’ handbook showcasing insightful case studies that illustrate the effective utilization of community coaches to promote and sustain peacebuilding efforts.
Local Youth Lead Program
August 2023 - October 2023
On August 7th, 2023, Peace of Art organization launched its new project "Local Youth Lead Program" (LYLP). This program aims to empower 30 young individuals from the North Beka'a area in Lebanon through a comprehensive and intensive series of activities, including photography training, film production, content creation, and life skills development, in parallel with youth leadership, YPS, accountability, human rights, advocacy, citizenship, partnerships and networking, and conflict resolution. Additionally, the participants will engage in two interactive roundtable discussions with local community members and stakeholders. Ultimately, the youth involved will showcase their accomplishments by presenting a video production and a photovoice project through a town-hall meeting.
Innovation Academy
2022 - 2024
In a collaborative effort, Peace of Art and PAX introduced the Innovation Academy project, an ambitious initiative encompassing diverse aspects of community development. The program included comprehensive training sessions designed to equip groups of young individuals with essential English language and computer skills, along with fostering civic awareness. The project's scope extended further with the establishment of Peace of Art's pioneering co-working space, the first of its kind in Northern Beka'a, offering a hub for innovation and collaboration. Notably, the initiative marked the launch of the region's first podcast, amplifying local voices. A key focus was inclusivity, as the project established an accessible arts and training space catering to individuals with disabilities. The construction of a sports court and provision of asphalt ensured the space's accessibility for all. Beyond educational efforts, the program extended to training teachers, enhancing their classroom engagement and teaching techniques for both online and offline education. Sporting activities and livelihood training in traditional crafts like soap making, preserved food preparation, and handmade carpet weaving enriched the academy's offerings, leading to the creation of numerous crafts. The overarching goal of the project was to foster enhanced opportunities for the youth and women of Northern Bekaa while simultaneously breaking the region's isolation and amplifying the voices of its vibrant community.
We Rise Through Art
Art Against Violence
2020 - 2022
Art Against Violence is an 18-month project funded by the US Embassy in Beirut, designed to engage 300 young people aged 15 to 29 from Bekaa across four regions. The initiative provides training in various art forms, including Piano, Guitar, Photography, Theater, Filmmaking, and Drawing. Additionally, civil training in conflict resolution and mediation is offered. Following the training, each art training group undertakes the creation of their own artworks, such as theater pieces, short films, music bands, and photography and drawing exhibitions. Talented youth receive seed funding, enabling them to bring their projects to life. These emerging artists organize numerous events and shows across different locations, with our organization's support. Several youth projects were launched and funded under this program, and 4 murals were implemented in 4 different areas. The primary project objective is to nurture and empower gifted youth in Bekaa, utilizing art to combat violence. The project aimed to cultivate the capacities of young individuals as catalysts for positive change and active contributors to peace, combating all forms of violence and extremism through artistic expression.
2020 - 2021
Funded by UNESCO, 'We Rise Through Art' is a 4-month project focusing on 40 youngsters and children from Beirut (Syrian and Lebanese), who have been physically or psychologically affected by the Beirut Blast. The initiative aims to provide diverse art and psycho-social support activities, including training in Psychosocial Support, Art & Drawing, Percussion & Music, Drama, and Dance & Sport. The project's primary goal is to alleviate anxiety and stress among children and youth through arts and psycho-social support sessions. Additionally, it seeks to enhance community cohesion and security, bridging gaps between segregated Syrian and Lebanese populations. By involving 40 Lebanese and Syrian children and young individuals aged 7-16 in the realms of fine arts, the initiative aims to cultivate a positive space for resilient youth who are empowered to express themselves through art. This collective effort stands as a symbol of unity, aiding in overcoming the aftermath of Beirut's disaster, particularly in the Karantina area.
Art Elevates Societies
Hear Us Now!
2021 - 2022
Hear Us Now! Project, funded by ARK Group, is a research and advocacy project designed with a threefold purpose: firstly, to shed light on the youth's perspectives, attitudes, emotions, and perceptions regarding barriers to freedom of speech within our society, encompassing social, cultural, political, and familial domains, while identifying the activities that encourage such freedom; secondly, to foster open discussions and a sense of collective responsibility by engaging both the online and offline communities, institutional stakeholders, and young individuals through an advocacy-focused Call to Action grounded in our research insights; and thirdly, to furnish evidence that creative civic spaces are essential components of our community, capable of reshaping negative viewpoints, perceptions, and opinions. By enabling open discourse, dialogue, and the dissolution of animosity and long-standing tensions that have persisted across generations, this project aimed to address deep-seated divisions and barriers to freedom of expression. The project's scope encompasses various target audiences, including parents affected by social, cultural, religious, and sectarian divisions, youth seeking avenues to freely express themselves, community influencers like educators, donors interested in supporting shifts toward free expression and positive change, and other NGOs eager to contribute to transformative cultural shifts within the region.
2021
Funded by the Forum for Development Culture and Dialogue (F.D.C.D.), Art Elevates Societies project spearheaded by Peace of Art was designed to empower a select cohort of 16 young individuals. The initiative revolved around a comprehensive training curriculum that intricately brought together artistic expression, photography, content creation, and presentation skills. These creative themes were interwoven with essential life skills such as acceptance, conflict resolution, responsible citizenship, and peaceful coexistence. The culmination of this transformative project materialized in a cultural and traditional event, where the young participants showcased their newfound skills and innovative ideas with local community members and activists. Through eloquent speeches and compelling presentations, these young voices illuminated the impact of the project, effectively encapsulating the fusion of artistic empowerment with core values of understanding and harmony.
Young Media Creators
Meet your Candidate
2022
Organized by the dedicated team and volunteers of Peace of Art, the "Meet Your Candidate" initiative emerged as a powerful voluntary effort during the elections period. This initiative ingeniously established a platform for young individuals to directly engage with candidates vying for parliamentary representation of Northern Bekaa. In this unique setting, all candidates were extended invitations to participate, fostering an environment where candid conversations flourished. The initiative allowed youth to voice their concerns, share ideas, and emphasize priorities while affording candidates the opportunity to articulate their programs. Through "Meet Your Candidate," Peace of Art facilitated a vital space for open dialogues, contributing to informed decision-making and enabling a more engaged and informed electorate.
2021 - 2022
In collaboration, Peace of Art and PAX initiated the "Young Media Creators" project, a dynamic endeavor that empowered 16 young individuals with invaluable media and advocacy training through a comprehensive training program. This initiative encompassed a range of skills vital to modern communication, such as film making, photography, content creation, editing, and design—leveraging accessible and free software, with a focus on utilizing mobile phones. Moreover, the project dived into intensive training spanning various faces of effective communication, including presentation techniques, compelling storytelling, nonverbal communication, persuasive pitching, advocacy strategies, debate, research, and the art of constructing coherent arguments. Additionally, participants received in-depth instruction on crucial topics such as gender equality, human rights, conflict resolution, countering misinformation, and civic engagement. Through "Young Media Creators," Peace of Art and PAX provided these young talents with a robust skill set poised to make a positive impact in the world of media, advocacy, and social change.
Arts Rise Against SGBV!
Arts Against Discrimination
2017-2018
The 'Art Against Discrimination' initiative, funded by the European Endowment for Democracy, spans 12 months and targets 80 youths in Baalbek-Hermel of Syrian and Lebanese backgrounds, offering them artistic training in music, photography, and more, alongside civil education in conflict resolution and leadership. This effort aimed to unify diverse youth, fostering peace and coexistence while instilling artistic and civic skills for future leadership. The project empowers these young individuals to express their identities creatively, tackle social issues, and inspire positive change in their community, as a result bridging divides and building relationships among youth and communities. Activities include photography, music, and civil workshops, resulting in a short film and a photo exhibition showcasing the youth's perspective on their community.
A Message from our Team
“
Dear Valued Visitors,
Welcome to our Projects page — a living testament to the spirit, creativity, and compassion that drive everything we do at Peace of Art. Since our founding, we have been passionately committed to promoting peace and unity through the arts, sports, dialogue, digital innovation, peace education, youth empowerment, humanitarian aid, and emergency relief.
Each project you see here reflects the heart of our mission: to harness the power of positive change. From colorful community murals that bring neighbors together, to youth programs that empower new generations of leaders, to community kitchens that nourish not only bodies but also hearts — every initiative stands as a reminder that hope can be cultivated with every small act of service.
Through our work, we are also deeply committed to fostering interreligious and intercultural dialogue. We believe that genuine understanding and collaboration across different faiths and traditions are essential to building a more harmonious and compassionate world. Our programs encourage open conversation, mutual respect, and the celebration of diversity as a strength.
Yet, these projects are not simply past achievements; they are living, breathing commitments to the future we are building together. They represent the collective power of creativity, kindness, and resilience across communities and cultures.
As you explore our initiatives, we invite you to be part of this growing movement. Your support, involvement, and willingness to share these stories of hope play a crucial role in spreading the ripple effect of positive change.
Thank you for visiting, for believing in our mission, and for standing with us as we continue to paint a brighter, more peaceful future — one stroke of creativity, one act of service, and one dialogue of understanding at a time.
With hope and gratitude,
The Peace of Art Family
”