In the heart of southern Libya, civic participation is taking a new shape, driven by local voices, inclusive dialogue and community-led solutions.
UNDP, together with the Ministry of Local Government in Libya, is partnering with local actors to ensure inclusive, transparent, and sustainable peace and development through strategic community dialogue, collaborative problem solving, and community-led data collection.
This includes setting up inclusive local peacebuilding and development committees, supporting the creation of peace and development plans, building local capacity to implement priorities and mobilize resources, and strengthening social accountability mechanisms.
In Murzuq, two women —representing both Arab and Tebu communities— are leading by example, working together to bridge divides and highlight the vital role of women in peacebuilding. Their collaboration not only strengthens social cohesion but also enriches Local Development and Peacebuilding Committees, ensuring that area-based development reflects the voices and priorities of the communities they serve.
In Sebha, a woman representative of the Local Development and Peacebuilding Committee —a journalist and a leader in local community consultation sessions— is actively advocating for journalism, arts, culture, and media to be recognized as community priorities, ensuring that local voices are meaningfully represented and heard.
With generous contributions from the governments of Denmark, Luxembourg, and the Republic of Korea through the UNDP Funding Windows, UNDP Libya launched two participatory data collection activities to place local actors at the center of development planning:
The findings will guide the design or revision of infrastructure and participation mechanisms that enhance civic engagement—ultimately promoting greater transparency, accountability, and trust in local governance, while helping shape future development priorities.
In May 2025, peacebuilding consultations were held with local actors to establish a baseline on civic engagement and political decision-making processes. These efforts go beyond strategic dialogue — they help build structures for all voices, especially women, youth, people with disabilities, and other groups to actively shape local planning agendas.
By formalizing semi-institutional pathways, such as Local Development and Peacebuilding Committees, UNDP Libya and the Ministry of Local Government are embedding inclusion at the very core of governance structures. These committees are evolving into accountable, community-rooted institutions that can lead development planning and implementation with transparency and legitimacy.
UNDP Libya continues to amplify the voices of vulnerable groups through storytelling, visual content, and expanded community consultations. Planned trips to Murzuq and other municipalities will support this mission — not only documenting progress but co-creating it alongside local partners. Together, we’re turning data into action and inclusive participation into meaningful change.
A full report and powerful local stories will soon be released, showcasing Libya’s journey toward inclusive peacebuilding and sustainable local development.
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