Having passed the Access to Information (ATI) in 2017, – many administrative, technical, and social obstacles must still be addressed in order to utilize the Law to its maximum potential. Subsequently, it is vital to involve and engage all relevant stakeholders in the implementation and enforcement of this Law as well as effectively advocating towards citizens and foreign nationals to utilize it. 

Funded by the National Endowment Democracy (NED) in 2018-2019 with a total budget of USD 38,000, LTA worked on providing trainings for individuals on the Right to Access Information Law and engage them in monitoring the implementation of the Law in public administrations, in addition to training others on the Law. This leads to the effective implementation of the Law, as well as raising awareness on how to benefit from the law.

Several activities were conducted under the scope of this project. Selecting a number of members of the local committees in the two selected districts Meniye-Donniyeh and Saida; training the selected groups on the Right to Access Information Law; monitoring the implementation its implementation and sending out Information Requests to public administrations and municipalities in the three districts; conducting workshops on access to information for citizens in the local regions with the and producing a legal review the Right to Access Information Law and the Combatting Corruption in the Public Sector and the Establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Law.

1- Desk Research: LTA mapped the Municipalities in Saida and Meniye – Donniyeh areas.The Right to Access Information Law requires the assignment of an Information Officer in each public administration, in addition to the possibility of submitting Information Requests electronically based on each administration’s resources.

2- LTA delivered training for 2 groups (Saida and Meniye – Donniyeh) for 30 participants on ATI Law and the role of Municipality.

3- Based on participants’ ideas, Information Requests were submitted to the selected municipalities.

4- Monthly meetings with the groups regarding the follow up on their request of information with the municipalities.

5- LTA conducted legal reviews on the Right to Access Information Law and the Combatting Corruption in the Public Sector and the Establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Law. 

6- A seminar is held to discuss the two legal reviews with different stakeholders (Government officials, donors, international organizations, local CSOs, activists) in order to discuss the outcomes of the two legal review.