Ongoing conflict and a delayed political transition in Libya have meant that the country has suffered from high levels of instability, divided institutions, and weak governance at the central level. This has reflected negatively on municipal authorities and their capacity to respond to the range of challenges faced by citizens, caused by conflict, human mobility, climate pressures and COVID-19. Despite their relatively limited capacity and financial autonomy, Municipalities continue to represent the main service delivery focal point for citizens.
The Baladiyati project aimed to support local municipalities in Libya to respond to multiple conflict and human mobility-induced challenges and to strengthen the local resilience and recovery mechanisms that negatively impact people’s access to essential services, sustainable livelihoods, social cohesion, and community security. To achieve this, PCi is supporting efforts to strengthen the skills of municipalities to deliver key local services in a conflict sensitive and gender responsive way.
The project has strengthened the skills of 117 municipal staff members across Libya in conflict sensitivity, monitoring and evaluation, project management, reporting and archiving and development planning. The Baladiyati project has also created important bridges of communication between municipality staff from 20 areas across the country.
Libya is characterised by political violence, polarisation, and instability. Since the 2011 revolution, rival authorities have been fighting over power, resulting in a constant division. The two contested governments in the east and west are a prominent example of the ongoing division. Armed groups also have significant influence, often aligning with politicians and forming alliances with other armed groups, exacerbating instability.
Furthermore, regional and international actors have been involved since Muammar Gaddafi’s overthrow, supporting and funding factions, adding complexity to the situation. The ongoing power struggle has led to dire consequences, including humanitarian crises, forced displacement, and impeded prospects for sustainable peace and development.
This project was implemented by Peaceful Change initiative in partnership with:
The Baladiyati project was funded by UNDP.
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