Water for Bkeftine

Since 2018, Erlangen has maintained a project partnership with Bkeftine in northern Lebanon. In the early years, the project partnership focused on inclusion and improving services for people with intellectual disabilities. Since the spring of 2026, we have been implementing a project funded by ENGAGEMENT GLOBAL with grants from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development to improve the water supply in Bkeftine. Although the Lebanese government is responsible for providing water to its citizens, it can currently fulfill this responsibility only to a very limited extent. As a result, the residents of Bkeftine have for some time been receiving water only on an hourly basis and must purchase both drinking water and non-potable water at high costs. This project involves drilling a well to supply water to the people of Bkeftine, supplementing the rudimentary government water supply.

In addition to the construction of the new well, educational programs will be conducted in Bkeftine to raise awareness among the population about the sustainable use of this resource.

Here in Erlangen, too, we are addressing water management and considering what we can learn from one another. From September 29 to October 13, 2026, the Weltladen’s annual exhibition will be held at the Neustädter Church (open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). This exhibition will also highlight water projects in Erlangen’s sister cities:

Exhibition “BLUE GOLD – Water Here at Home & Elsewhere”
No water, no life—not even in Erlangen! The topic of water brings many people together, as it does for this exhibition. Students from the Jakob-Herz-Schule Erlangen and the Städtische Wirtschaftsschule Erlangen have explored the topic in depth and created exhibits that really inspire reflection. Participants in the City of Erlangen’s Planet-A summer camp worked together to build a “sponge city” model, which is on display here. The Water Forum of the Erlangen Sustainability Advisory Board is also presenting best-practice examples from the city regarding the use of this precious resource. And what is the situation like in countries with which Erlangen is linked through partnerships? The exhibition also showcases projects that have been and are being implemented as part of the city’s municipal partnerships with San Carlos (Nicaragua), Bkeftine (Lebanon), and Brovary ( Ukraine). The exhibition is complemented by contributions from the Erlangen Weltladen, current facts and figures from the United Nations’ 2026 World Water Report, and the UNICEF exhibition “No Water for Everyone.”

In addition to the exhibition, there will also be an online discussion with our Lebanese project partners:

Water for Bkeftine / Water in Erlangen – Insights into the Erlangen-Bkeftine (Lebanon) project partnership and a discussion with the Erlangen Water Forum on the responsible use of this resource
Tuesday | October 13, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. | Neustädter Church, Choir Chapel | Free admission!
The municipalities of Erlangen and Bkeftine in northern Lebanon have been linked by a project partnership since 2018. While the partnership focused in its early years on improving care for people with intellectual disabilities in northern Lebanon, a project is currently underway—with financial support from Engagement Global gGmbH / SKEW—to improve the water supply in Bkeftine. Although the water supply in Lebanon is state-run, it is highly unreliable and provides residents of Bkeftine with access to water for only a few hours a day at most. Residents must therefore meet their water needs through expensive services provided by private vendors. This poses an enormous financial challenge for people in a country already plagued by a financial and economic crisis. This project aims to improve the water supply for the residents of Bkeftine. Our Lebanese partners will join us online and speak in person about the situation in Lebanon, the project, and the partnership with Erlangen. In addition, Erlangen’s “Forum Wasser” will participate in the event and focus on Erlangen, discussing the measures we can take to contribute to responsible water management.
Note: The event will be held in English! No translation will be provided.
Funded by ENGAGEMENT GLOBAL with support from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.