30 October, 2024 Tripoli – Today, The Government of Norway and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced an additional USD 380k from the Norwegian government to support UNDP's local peacebuilding efforts in Libya 

Libya has been enduring a prolonged crisis that has affected many communities, particularly in southern Libya. This region faces a disproportionately high cost of living, limited public services, and a lack of economic opportunities.

To reduce the risk of further conflict escalation in the South, UNDP has established an area-based Local Peacebuilding and Resilience Strategy to mark the transition from immediate stabilization towards longer-term development and peacebuilding. With the generous support from the Government of Norway, significant progress has been made toward enhancing local capacities to prevent conflict and sustain peace. This progress includes formulating and implementing peacebuilding and development plans to improve the living conditions of vulnerable populations, especially women and youth.

With an initial contribution of USD 1.4 million, the project supported a pragmatic roadmap for advancing peacebuilding and resilience in three municipalities in the south – Al Sharguiya, Bint Baya and Gurda Ashati. The additional contribution of 4 million NOK (USD380k) will deepen the critical support that is being provided. Approximately 30,000 beneficiaries (at least 30% women), including vulnerable groups, internally displaced people and people living with disabilities, across the same three municipalities will be targeted directly and indirectly.

At today's signing ceremony, H.E. Ms. Hilde Klemetsdal, the Ambassador of Norway to Libya, expressed appreciation for the partnership, “We are very happy to partner with UNDP, especially in Libya where we are supporting a bottom-up approach to peacebuilding and development in South Libya”.   

Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Libya, Mr Mohammed Salih, further expressed: “Thanks to our longstanding partnership with Norway, we have been able to make a positive impact in Southern municipalities. We look forward to expanding our collaborative efforts to support local authorities in maintaining momentum and sustainability in local peacebuilding efforts. UNDP will partner with the key stakeholders to utilize the top-up funds to continue the capacity building of the Peacebuilding Committees while also implementing additional prioritized initiatives listed in the existing plans”.

UNDP’s Local Peacebuilding and Resilience Programme has been and will continue to be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Planning, municipal councils, civil society organizations and local stakeholders to ensure ownership and institutionalize solutions for long-term sustainability.
 

Background 

Since 2017, UNDP has supported national and local institutions in their efforts to promote resilience and peacebuilding across Libya by fostering inclusive economic recovery and social cohesion strategies. At the municipal level, UNDP assists local authorities in conflict prevention and ensuring that interventions 'do no harm' and contribute to peaceful coexistence. In partnership with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Planning, and other line ministries and local authorities, UNDP promotes stabilization, resilience, local peacebuilding, and local economic recovery alongside fostering accountable and inclusive governance systems in 65 municipalities across the country, benefiting more than 5 million people.

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