At REEF, hands-on workshops provide participants with practical skills to adopt sustainable practices and promote environmental stewardship in their communities. Covering topics such as composting, plastic recycling, upcycling, vertical farming, and permaculture, these sessions allow communities to make a tangible impact on their environment while discovering how they can benefit from these sustainable practices.
In 2021, REEF launched a composting workshop led by environmental and industrial engineer Ziad Abi Chaker in collaboration with the Lebanese Composters Group. The session explored composting in Lebanon and how communities and individuals can transform organic waste into “black gold”—a nutrient-rich resource for agriculture.
Before and during REEF Encounters 2022, a series of zero-waste training sessions took place in Kobayat – Akkar under the guidance of Ziad Abi Chaker. These workshops educated local communities on sustainable waste management, implementing recycling systems, ecological markets, and composting food waste. Participants also gained hands-on experience in vertical planting, learning about its benefits and practical applications through live demonstrations.
In 2024, 27 women took part in an upcycling workshop with designer Rytta Couture, where they learned to repurpose used fabrics and garments. This initiative not only promoted sustainability but also opened opportunities for income-generating activities in textile upcycling.
Also in 2024, 10 women participated in a specialized potato workshop, exploring innovative ways to transform Akkar’s abundantly cultivated potatoes into new income sources. This initiative aimed to enhance local economic resilience while promoting sustainable food production.
harnesses the power of arts and knowledge-sharing to raise awareness of environmental protection, foster connections among rural communities, and inspire the crafting of a new collective narrative.