On Saturday, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Libya, announced that it will continue to support the country’s public institutions, local governments, civil society, and communities to achieve stabilization, resilience and recovery. It will also contribute to shaping the conditions for peace and social cohesion in the country with support from various international partners.
In a statement, the UNDP said that it had partnered with the European Union (EU) to accompany public institutions, local governments, civil society, and communities build peace and promote local economic recovery in 52 municipalities throughout the country since 2017. This falls within the “Strengthening Local Capacities for Resilience and Recovery Programme.”
In addition, the project supported municipalities and the Ministry of Local Government to renovate cultural, recreational and sport infrastructures as a way to promote social inclusion and urban regeneration. Access to public spaces is crucial for developing and maintaining a sense of belonging, especially in cities that have suffered significantly from the conflict in recent years, like Sabratha, Benghazi and Sebha.
The UNDP added that they will continue to work hand-in-hand with Libyan authorities, as well as national and international partners to promote peaceful and inclusive societies and economic recovery in Libya.
Rehabilitation projects including the Corniche in Benghazi, the rugby field in Benghazi, the Roman theatre in Sabratha, tennis and basketball courts and the public park in Sebha were conducted within the framework of the €90 million programme “Managing mixed migration flows in Libya through expanding protection space and supporting local socioeconomic development.” This was financed by the North of Africa Window of the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa.
The indoor handball court in Benghazi underwent substantial renovation as part of the EU funded “Baladiyati programme” implemented by UNDP, the Italian Development Agency AICS and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The €50 million “Recovery, Stability and Socio-economic Development Programme”, currently works with 24 municipalities across Libya with the aim of improving people’s access to quality public services such as education, health, water and sanitation.
The programme in Libya is funded by the EU through the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, to improve living conditions and build resilience among vulnerable populations, including migrants, refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), returnees and host communities.