For years, potholes have been a daily hazard in Tripoli. Crumbling roads have damaged cars, caused traffic congestion, and, in some cases, led to accidents and rising tensions between neighbourhoods. Along former demarcation lines, these neglected streets became yet another reminder of long-standing marginalisation and state absence which increase feelings of anger.
In response, youth from different parts of the city chose action over frustration. MARCH’s youths from Jabal Mohen, Mankoubin, Wadi Nahle, Mallouleh, Omareh, and Beb el Tebbeneh came together, working hand in hand to address a problem that had affected their communities for far too long.
In collaboration with Ensa Joura on MTV Lebanon, IPT Group, the Lebanese Armed Forces, and the Municipality of Tripoli, MARCH’s youth completed a three-week mission to repair roads across Beb El Tebbeneh, Jabal Mohsen, Mallouleh, and Mankoubin.
The initiative focused on areas along former front lines, where damaged roads had contributed to repeated incidents and renewed friction. Over the course of the project, the youth repaired a total of 160 potholes, significantly improving road safety and easing daily movement for residents.
The work followed a clear and hands-on process. Damaged sections were first identified and cleaned, then filled, levelled, and reinforced to ensure durability and safer driving conditions. What might seem like simple repairs had an immediate impact on traffic flow, vehicle safety, and residents’ sense of security.
Beyond infrastructure, the project carried a deeper meaning. Youth who were once seen as contributors to instability and destruction are now the same ones restoring streets, improving neighbourhoods, and addressing shared challenges. For many participants, the initiative fostered a renewed sense of belonging, pride, and hope, proving that they are active agents of peace and positive change.
This effort stands as a powerful example of what community-led action can achieve. By turning cooperation into concrete results, Tripoli’s youth demonstrated that rebuilding the city does not only happen through policies or plans, but through collective responsibility, trust, and the belief that change is possible.
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