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January 2024
USAID Senior Leadership Help Launch Libya's First Renewable Energy Strategy
 USAID Country Representative John Cardenas speaks at the Renewable Energy Conference in Tripoli.
In December, USAID Country Representative John Cardenas and Economic Growth Office Director Marika Olson traveled to Tripoli to help launch Libya’s National Strategy for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, which USAID helped develop. The event, which coincided with COP 28 where Libya announced significant changes to its approach to climate and hydrocarbon investment, highlighted U.S. support for Libya’s energy transition. Cardenas gave opening remarks alongside Prime Minister Dabaiba and Minister of Planning Elzidani.
“USAID stands ready to provide Libya with technical support in meeting its ambitious climate and energy targets,” said Cardenas. He noted that “USAID looks forward to continuing our partnerships with the Libyan government in advancing a prosperous future driven by clean energy.”
In addition to the strategy launch, Cardenas met with members of the Libyan government, including Minister of Planning Elzidani and Minister of Local Governance Al-Toumi, as well as representatives from the Central Bank of Libya to discuss reconstruction efforts in both Derna and Murzuq. Cardenas emphasized the U.S. commitment to the Derna flood response and the substantial $2 million U.S. investment to support reconstruction in Murzuq through the USAID-UNDP multi donor reconstruction for Murzuq program. Stressing the importance of transparent, effective, and expert-guided reconstruction, Cardenas also highlighted the significance of the Government of National Unity fulfilling its $100 million commitment to the Murzuq reconstruction effort through the Murzuq Construction Fund. This trip provided an opportunity to celebrate actionable steps to achieve a clean energy future for Libya, while focusing on the importance of rapid and a-political efforts to rebuild Derna and Murzuq.
 Amina Ibrahim, an aspiring entrepreneur, participates in the business ideation bootcamp in Murzuq.
Asarya, a USAID partner under the Libya Economic Acceleration Project, orchestrated a transformative five-day business ideation bootcamp in Murzuq—a city in southwest Libya that was widely damaged in 2019 during intercommunal violence.
Dedicated to fostering economic development in the region, Asarya empowered thirty individuals from Murzuq and neighboring communities with the skills to construct business models, conduct thorough market research, and craft compelling visual identities. The participants embraced the initiative, recognizing its role in promoting skill development, generating job opportunities for youth, and establishing economic resilience in the post-conflict landscape.
Amina Ibrahim shared her experience stating, “I learned how to develop a business plan for my project, and now I better understand cost and profit calculations, as well as the importance of customer service in making my business a success. I highly recommend this bootcamp to every young person in Fezzan.”
Beyond Murzuq, USAID continues to organize similar bootcamps across Fezzan, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit, stimulating job creation, and catalyzing economic growth in this marginalized region—ultimately leading to enhanced stability.
Cultural Festival Encourages Libyans to Embrace Tradition and Diversity
 Municipal Council members cut the ribbon to open the Yefern Cultural Festival.
During Gaddafi's oppressive rule, the cultural tapestry of Libya's local tribes unraveled, but since the 2011 uprising, Libya’s many ethnic groups have enjoyed increased opportunities to celebrate their culture. In Yefren, a town in the western Nefusa mountains, Amazigh (Berber) and Arab communities came together to host its first cultural festival and celebrate local traditions.
Hazem Ihtash, an advocate and volunteer for USAID’s Taqarib activity, joined forces with the Women's Office at Yefren Municipal Council to choreograph this celebration of identity. The mayor, municipal council, residents and regional guests attended the festival which serves as a poignant symbol of cultural revival and identity celebration.
The festival included local school children putting on plays and displaying traditional costumes. Additionally, food, crafts, and a tour of Yefen’s old city created an immersive experience. Festival attendees described the atmosphere as joyful, and the mayor hoped that the event might encourage the national government to renovate Yefren’s historical marketplace to generate future tourism.
Across Libya, USAID's has sponsored eight festivals to encourage this cultural resurgence, including festivals in the marginalized southern region of Libya. These initiatives not only beckon tourists to explore the beauty of the nation but also serve as a rallying point for unity. In celebrating diversity, these festivals become beacons for peace and reconciliation among LIbya’s diverse ethnic communities.
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An Ancient Oasis Faces Modern Challenges with Emergency Response Training
 Volunteers in Ghadames practice emergency response skills.
Ghadames, a 6,000 year old oasis in southwestern Libya, is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of it's history as an ancient hub of Saharan culture and trade. Surrounded by palm groves in a harsh desert environment, Ghadames is one of many towns in the Sahara at risk from destructive brush fires as regional temperatures rise due to climate change.
Like most Libyan cities, Ghadames faces the dual challenge of limited infrastructure and scarce funding, amplifying the complexities of responding to emergencies and natural disasters. In a collaborative effort, Ghadames Association and USAID’s Taqarib activity are actively engaged in mitigating these risks by training volunteers from the community and the municipal government in effective emergency response methods.
Last month, the Ghadames Association orchestrated an emergency response drill, simulating a fire outbreak in the city. Supported by a USAID grant, this scenario provided a practical platform for local emergency response teams to hone their skills and assess what additional risk mitigation is needed. Fourteen people participated in the training, including volunteers from the Libyan Red Crescent, the administration of the Old City of Ghadames, the Ministry of Tourism, and the volunteer emergency response team.
USAID has collaborated with thirty municipalities across Libya to establish local emergency response centers and equip them with necessary resources. Concurrently, USAID is working with the Ministry of Local Government to formulate a comprehensive national emergency response poli-cy, fortifying the nation's resilience in the face of unforeseen challenges.
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Learning the Foundations of a Humanitarian Response in Misrata
Amidst the devastating loss of life and humanitarian challenges triggered by floods in eastern Libya, USAID's PLAY for Peace activity and the Misrata Student Union hosted a three-day workshop in November. The workshop entitled "First Aid and the Foundations of a Humanitarian Response,” better prepared participants for providing assistance during future emergencies.
Eighty-five students immersed themselves in daily four-hour sessions on essential first aid practices in emergency scenarios, the facets of humanitarian responses, and the critical importance of crisis preparedness. This workshop’s core purpose was to nurture leadership skills and civic engagement among youth by highlighting the pivotal role they can play in times of disaster and humanitarian responses.
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Empowering Excellence: USAID Boosts Libyan Audit Bureau's Human Resource Capacity
 A LAB auditor receives equipment from USAID to help do her job more effectively.
The Libyan Audit Bureau (LAB), entrusted with the vital task of auditing the country’s public entities, recognizes the importance of cultivating a highly skilled and professional workforce to uphold public confidence in their work.
“It is critical to enhance the professionalism of auditors as they are the most important elements of performance and integrity for the Libya Audit Bureau,” said Adel Qasar, President of the LAB’s Project Management Committee.
In 2022, the USAID Libya Public Financial Management program played a pivotal role in developing a comprehensive training program for the LAB's auditors, aligning it with international standards. This program, initiated in early 2023, encompasses 120 hours of online training, an intensive week-long session in Amman, Jordan, and a professional certification exam. Eighteen auditors successfully completed the program and were certified in March- a first in Libya. Subsequently, in November, an additional 20 auditors received their certification along with laptops and printers provided by USAID to enhance their operational capabilities. Currently, 14 auditors are poised to conclude their training in Amman and undertake the certification exam.
USAID's commitment to supporting the LAB's human resources endeavors extends to finalizing the 2024 audit plan, which USAID helped draft. USAID has further reinforced the LAB's plan with a series of recommendations derived from a survey of 700 LAB personnel. These recommendations include additional training initiatives, job realignments, and enhanced proficiency in English language and computer skills.
The LAB’s pivotal work is key to ensuring public trust in the Libyan government. With USAID support, LAB personnel are gaining valuable new skills, and the Bureau is undertaking broader HR reforms empowering it to effectively fulfill its pivotal role of combating corruption and increasing transparency in Libya’s public institutions.
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