Background Land degradation and desertification are two of the main environmental issues that need to be tackled before sustainable development in the Mediterranean area can be achieved. In Syria and Lebanon, there is a clear need for sustainable management of land resources. The main causes of environmental problems in the coastal zones in the two countries are the high concentration of people (high natural growth and migration), intensive agriculture, heavy industry and transportation. Degradation is accelerating the character of the landscape, its geomorphology, geology and soil characteristics. The area’s climate, in terms of rainfall, drought and climate change, also has a deleterious effect. As a result, the Lebanese and Syrian authorities intended to join efforts with national and international organisations working in the field of environmental management of coastal areas and sustainable development decision-making. Objectives The objective of the project is to improve the capacities of Syria and Lebanon in advanced environmental management and planning of coastal zones, according to the principles of sustainable development. The project’s main objective was to provide a clear reference framework for approaching the issue of land resources depletion in coastal areas and for implementing sound conservation and sustainable development measures. Other specific objectives of the project were to: • Improve environmental knowledge in Syria and Lebanon (diagnostic and detailed analysis); • Provide an outline of national coastal area degradation control/management plans; and • Provide national capacity building (participation and training programmes). Results The project resulted in an improved environmental knowledge in Lebanon and Syria mainly through the reconnaissance surveys and detailed analysis. Such activities enabled: • The characterisation of the study area; • The production of thematic maps (an overall erosion risk map, a detailed erosion map and the design and implementation of a population Geographic Information System (GIS); • The assessment and monitoring of degradation causes; and • The identification of priority areas. National coastal areas degradation control/management plans were also outlined following the drawing up of a “Strategy and Recommendations document”. Such an approach enabled the following achievements: • The analysis of existing strategy and techniques and justification for the ones selected; • Recommendations for procedures of formulation and adoption of respective national coastal areas degradation control management plans (draft management plans); and • Recommendations for the establishment and functioning of a system for monitoring the effects of the implementation of the suggested management plans. Finally, the project attempts to improve the national capacities of Syria and Lebanon led to the adoption of a Public Participatory Programme and the production of national reports. The project also held seminars for stakeholders at local and national levels and ran evaluation workshops on the project’s results.