Beirut: In 2025, Banque BEMO transformed part of its headquarters' parking area into a Mini-Forest, through a unique and integrated environmental initiative that created a genuine urban biodiversity oasis in the heart of the capital. The project was established on a space previously dedicated to parking, where more than 60 different plant species were introduced, enhancing green density and gradually forming a micro-ecosystem.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Banque BEMO did not consider the project as a simple landscaping enhancement, but as a constructive and practical environmental commitment. The objective is clear: to affirm that an institution can, within its own sphere, positively influence its immediate environment and contribute to improving its urban surroundings.
Today, twelve months later, the results of the initiative are evident. What was planted by the Bank's staff has grown and taken root. Vegetation density has increased, the ecosystem has stabilized, and the site has become a genuine breathing space within the neighborhood. This transformation demonstrates that a simple and purely functional surface can evolve into a living ecosystem that serves and benefits the surrounding community.
The project was conceived as a collective endeavor reflecting a spirit of initiative and responsibility. Banque BEMO's teams took part in the planting process, while neighbors observed the development of the new space. The underlying idea is straightforward: when each actor takes care of the space under their direct responsibility - whether an institution, a building, or a private entity - the impact on the community becomes tangible. The mini-forest thus stands as a replicable model of local engagement with broader potential.
In this context, Dr. Riad Obegi, Chairman and General Manager of Banque BEMO, stated: "When we joined the project, we did so with a firm conviction that it is essential to lead by example. If each actor takes care of their own environment, the cumulative impact becomes significant. This mini-forest proves that we can act concretely, improve our living environment, and contribute together to cleaner air and a better ecosystem."
The mini-forest was developed in collaboration with environmental architect Adib Dada, founder of The Other Dada, a pioneering Lebanese regenerative architecture practice. Dada advocates an approach that seeks to restore urban ecosystems rather than merely limit their negative impact, designing spaces understood as living systems capable of evolution and sustainability. In his view, "even modest initiatives can generate lasting transformations when built upon a coherent vision and a thoughtful methodology."