Throughout 2025 and early 2026, the REEF Association led an extensive youth engagement and initiative centered around youth empowerment through environmental education and art. This initiative was made possible through the grant “Reclaiming Our Commons: A Proposal for Cultural Collaboration Across the Arab Region,” supported by Cultural Resource, A.M. Qattan Foundation, Ettijahat – Independent Culture, Aflamuna, and L’Art Rue.
خلال الفترة من أكتوبر إلى فبراير 2024، ومن خلال التدريب العملي والتدريب على الطبيعة والحوارات بين الأجيال، عمّق سفراء ريف فهمهم للقضايا البيئية مع تعزيز مهاراتهم في مجال الدعوة. تضمنت جلساتهم ما يلي:
This training culminated in a collaborative creation process, where the cohort split into three teams to direct and produce three original short films alongside their mentors: an eco-comedy about the Juniper Tree, an insightful exploration of the misunderstood striped hyena, and an animated reimagining of a classic folklore tale.
The cohort’s journey culminated in a three-day celebration in Kobayat, where the Ambassadors showcased their growth and creative work to an audience of nearly 3,000 attendees:
• “The Book of Nature” Live Performance: The Ambassadors presented a live storytelling performance of six youth-authored short stories on environmental balance, developed under the guidance of environmentalist Antoine Daher.
• Exclusive Film Premiere & Q&A: The Ambassadors premiered their three co-created audiovisual projects during an evening showcase and took the stage to lead interactive Q&A discussions with the audience.
• Ambassadors’ Sunset Hike: The Ambassadors took part in a dedicated sunset hike to Al-Alliya overlooking Wadi Halsaban, celebrating their journey and camaraderie.
The impact of the REEF Ambassadors’ work extended well past the initial event through continued screenings and peer-led advocacy:
Metro Metropolis Cinema Screening (February 2026): The Ambassadors’ short films were showcased at Metropolis Cinema. The Akkari youth traveled to Beirut to present their work directly to the public and participate in post-screening Q&A discussions.
• Local School Screenings: The films were toured and screened across schools in Akkar, allowing the youth to act as peer educators within their local communities.
• REEF Encounters 2026: During the 2026 edition of the Encounters, the films were featured in a dedicated workshop on environmental advocacy through art, engaging an audience of over 200 young participants.
ريف تسخّر قوة الفنون ومشاركة المعرفة لزيادة الوعي بحماية البيئة، وتعزيز الروابط بين المجتمعات الريفية، وإلهام صياغة سرد جماعي جديد.