ClimbAID in Times of Change

Dear friends of ClimbAID,

Syria is free from a dictatorship that brutally oppressed the country for over five decades. Millions of people are now hoping to return to their homeland, but the future remains uncertain. The country faces a long road of transition and reconciliation – yet there is finally hope for a fairer and better future.

The situation in Lebanon has also changed fundamentally. Hezbollah has been significantly weakened. Following Israel’s devastating military campaign, the country faces enormous political and economic challenges, and the need for support is greater than ever.

The year 2024 was one of the most challenging in ClimbAID’s history. Many of our planned projects for Lebanon could not be implemented as hoped. Despite all the difficulties, there were some bright spots.

Scroll down to learn more about what moved ClimbAID in 2024.

Warm regards,
Your ClimbAID Team

One bright spot was our work with families who had to flee Baalbek due to the war. They found refuge at the compound of our partner arcenciel in Taanayel, where our climbing wall, The ARC, is also located.

We organized psychosocial bouldering sessions for 64 displaced children and young adults aged 4 to 25. These sessions became a safe space where participants could experience physical activity, social interaction, and joy – a small but significant relief from the burdens of war and displacement.

With the recent ceasefire, these families have returned to their destroyed homes. We hope that the resilience and joy they experienced during the sessions will help them face the challenges of rebuilding.

The updated page about our project in Lebanon with additional background information can be found here.

A milestone was the publication of the scientific study on YouCLIMB in the journal Conflict and Health. The results demonstrate that our psychosocial bouldering sessions can significantly improve the mental health of conflict-affected youth:

• Psychological distress: The intervention group showed a significant reduction in psychological distress compared to the control group.
• Wellbeing: Participants in the intervention group exhibited noticeably improved mental wellbeing.
• Personal growth: Qualitative interviews highlighted positive developments in self-confidence, problem-solving skills, and emotional resilience.

One participant said: “I learned that in my life, I don’t need to rush to solve problems immediately, but instead make plans first, just as I learned here.”

Another participant added: “I built self-confidence and strength, so I’m no longer shy.”

Learn more about the study and its results in this article.

In collaboration with the Lebanese Federation of Climbing and Mountaineering and the two professional route setters David Tomlinson and Alise Zvigule from Switzerland, we organized two workshops that taught both technical skills and creative processes in route setting.

The participants – climbers from various regions and backgrounds – were highly motivated. In addition to developing technical competencies, the focus was especially on collaboration. At a time when the country is deeply divided, the workshops became a space for exchange and connection.

We hope to soon reschedule the third workshop as well as the planned bouldering competition in Beirut.

We are thrilled to present the film “Sama” in early 2025, which showcases the project in Lebanon through the perspectives of four participants – Hiba, Sabine, Yehya, and Hassan.

At the heart of the story are Hiba, a Syrian refugee, and Sabine, a local resident, who, despite their different backgrounds and challenges, share a common passion: climbing. With the support of ClimbAID, they confront social and personal challenges, strive for independence, and grow into inspiring role models.

The film offers a moving insight into their stories and demonstrates how climbing can help overcome obstacles, build self-confidence, and promote peaceful coexistence. A series of film screenings and accompanying panel discussions are planned for early 2025.

Visit the film page to watch the trailer, find screening dates, and read articles about how the lives of the protagonists have changed since the filming. If you would like to organise a demonstration yourself, you can contact us there via ‘Get Involved’.

Despite these successes, we had to make the difficult decision to temporarily suspend our programs in the Bekaa Valley starting in 2025. Challenges such as a lack of planning security, a limited pool of trained community members, and the migration of qualified professionals make sustainable continuation impossible.

However, this does not mean we are withdrawing completely. We remain committed to the community: the climbing wall will be managed independently, while we continue to provide funding for rent, materials, accident insurance, supervision, and training. Access to the climbing garden in Wadi Al Dalm will also be preserved in the long term.

Additionally, we aim to explore the possibility of reactivating the ROLLING ROCK in the coming months. If successful, our mobile climbing wall could visit Baalbek, southern Lebanon, or even Damascus. Expanding the YouCLIMB program to a climbing gym in Beirut also remains an option, depending on whether suitable personnel can be found.

We will keep you informed as soon as there are any updates.

While the situation in the Middle East presents significant challenges, our projects in Switzerland have continued to develop positively. By the end of November, we organized over 550 sessions with 1,300 participants.

A particular success was the establishment of new MaxiFamilies: In the summer, we welcomed a new family to the Quadrel in Felsberg (GR). After a longer break, our group in Lausanne is back – now at the bouldering gym Grimper.ch.

A highlight was our Boulder Weekend in Chironico on September 14th and 15th. For many of the 76 participants, it was a formative experience to explore the joy of climbing together in nature. Due to high demand, we are planning another Boulder Weekend next year, specifically for the French-speaking part of Switzerland.

Read the article by Olha and Ali to learn more about this year’s Boulder Weekend in Chironico.

Das Budget für das Jahr 2025 beträgt CHF 120’000, wovon die Hälfte durch Mammut, die Stiftung Temperatio, das Minimum, die Peka und weitere Partner gedeckt ist. Um unsere Ziele zu erreichen, sind wir auch auf deine Unterstützung angewiesen.

The developments in Lebanon, Syria, and other regions, as well as the growth of our projects in Switzerland, place significant demands on sustainable funding. With 14 and soon more groups, the project in Switzerland has reached a scale that requires additional staff hours for administration, impact measurement, as well as training and educational resources.

With your donation, you support this important development and help us to be active in Lebanon again as soon as conditions allow.

Thank you for your trust and support!