The European Union, Italy, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) met in Tripoli for the second meeting of the Steering Committee of the programme “Recovery, Stability and Socio-Economic Development in Libya”, chaired by the Minister of Local Governance.

The three-year programme, funded by the European Union with €50 million in the framework of the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, started in October 2018 and aims to improve the living conditions and strengthen the resilience of the most vulnerable populations in 24 municipalities across Libya. It targets municipalities highly affected by migration flows and displacement of the Libyan populations including children, upgrading basic service provision in health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene.

Jointly formulated by the European Union and Italy in close coordination with the relevant national and municipal authorities, the programme is implemented by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), with a €22 million budget, UNDP, with a €18 million budget, and UNICEF, with a €10 million budget.

Today’s Steering Committee approved interventions in the 18 municipalities, out of the 24 municipalities involved. In its previous meeting held on 29 November 2018, the Steering Committee had already approved interventions in a first set of six municipalities. Today’s important step will allow the implementation phase in all the municipalities of this joint programme. The Steering Committee members thanked Libyan local and central authorities and implementing partners, for their close cooperation and sustained engagement. With the conclusion of the planning process, the focus of all parties now shifts to the execution of the identified interventions at municipality level.

AICS, UNICEF and UNDP reiterated their commitment to immediately launching procurement of necessary works, goods and services for each specific intervention and to start capacity building activities, including training of municipality and central authorities’ staff. Partners will monitor the implementation of the activities regularly and update the Steering Committee with any relevant development.

The Minister of Local Governance, HE Dr Milad Taher, welcomed the support of the European Union, Italy, UNDP and UNICEF in favour of Libyan Municipalities and population needs at this critical moment. “Improving basic services and enhancing local capacities are key to address citizens’ demand and democracy, and boost socio-economic development in Libya. This Programme is a good example of partnership effort between the Libyan government and the international community and is expected to deliver tangible benefits to local communities in the near future”, HE the Minister said.

In his intervention, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Libya, Mr Alan Bugeja, stressed that the programme reflects the spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility of the EU and its partners in addressing the challenges facing Libya. He pointed out that this programme will provide direct support to improving the delivery of key public services to the local population: "We are convinced that local communities play a key role in creating stabilisation in Libya. With this programme, we are intensifying our work with Libyan municipalities to help them in providing timely and quality public services to the people most in need”.

“The International Community is working with the Libyan authorities to re-establish the rule of law, provide Libyan citizens with basic services and create concrete conditions allowing for long-term economic recovery and stability. Local institutions, and in particular Municipalities, are still considered the main authority for service delivery in Libya. We deem it crucial to assist the Libyan Municipalities in improving their capacities to respond to priorities voiced by the public, thus reinforcing their role at the local level and link these efforts to those undertaken at the central level. This program will improve day-to-day life of hundreds of thousands of Libyans across the country and will positively contributes to narrowing gaps in basic service delivery. Close engagement with Libyan local and central Authorities has contributed to building trust and consensus over priorities for interventions. At the same time the partnership among implementing partners is a key for the success of the program”, said Italian Ambassador in Tripoli, HE Giuseppe Buccino.

“UNDP is committed to help the local authorities to provide support to communities around Libya, specially to the most vulnerable people. The strong partnership with European Union and this funding is allowing us to reach municipalities in the West, East and South of the country so that they can improve access to quality basic services and living conditions for all the people in Libya” said UNDP Resident Representative, Mr Gerardo Noto.

“All children, regardless of their ethnicity, or geography, status and income have the equal right to have access to quality education, health services, clean water and sanitation. This programme will provide them with the opportunities to reach their full potential, regardless the circumstances in Libya”, said UNICEF Special Representative to Libya, Mr Abdel-Rahman Ghandour.

For more information please contact:

Maha OUELHEZI, Communication & Visibility Officer, EU Delegation to Libya, maha.ouelhezi@eeas.europa.eu      

Michele Crudelini, AICS Communications Officer: michele.crudelini@aics.gov.it

Hilaria Espin, UNDP Communication Specialist, Hilaria.espin@undp.org

Mostafa Omar, UNICEF Communication Specialist, mosomar@unicef.org