Context:
Libya has a population of 6.2 million and GDP US$34.6 billion. Youth constitute 13.0% of the total population and 19.5% of the working-age population. While unemployment rate is 19.2%, unemployment among female youth (28.3%), is higher than that among male youth (16%). The prevalence of civil society organizations is 45%., most of which are charity-based or are working on training and education.
After the 2011 revolution, Libyan citizens were in an urgent need to deeply understand democratic principles and processes. This need applies to all categories of the population and especially among the youth who are motivated to build a new democratic Libya. UNDP implemented the SCELT project in 2012, to contribute to the transformation of the political dialogue culture in Libya. UNDP collaborated with the Ministry of Planning, and Ministry of Culture and Civil Society..
Implementation of programme/ initiative:
Support to Civic Engagement in Libya’s Transition (SCELT) is a partnership between Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Culture and Civil Society, and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Libya. This project aims at strengthening national capacities to promote extensive participation in the transition process among the Libyan population, with a special focus on the role of youth & women. More specifically, it aims at engaging youth in the political transition, and increasing women’s participation in building democracy.
Main challenges:
- Unstable security situation in Libya
- Low priority of women’s increased participation among women and men.
Results achieved:
The project contributed to the first official draft of the new NGO Law in Libya. Twenty three Libyans (51%women) graduated from the Building Resources in Developing General Education (BRIDGE) training after a 4-month program. The graduates were hired by the High National Libyan Commission HNLC as master trainers. The project organized workshops on constitution, making process and best practices administered by two famous constitution experts. The project supported Voter Education activities in 13 districts of Libya, reaching 400 civil society members as well as 48,000 scouts. The project trained 150 university students on National Elections and Voter Participation The project held Open Day events in 10 universities, to motivate students to participate in elections. The project reached 283 women candidates and supported them through training, exchange with Tunisian women politicians and support to a national awareness campaign “My Voice For Her”. The project advocated for women participation in constitution-making and need for a consultative constitution-making process.
Moving Forward:
- N/A
Replicability:
N/A
References:
World Bank, 2016
OECD Youth in the MENA region, 2016
International Labor Organization, 2016
Project Details
Date: October 10, 2017