 May 2024
Empowering Economic Recovery in Southern Libya
 President of the Islamic Development Bank Group, Dr Mohammad Al-Jasser and the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya, Mr Saddek El Kaber signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the Tamkeen Fund, with Libya’s Finance Minister, Mr Khaled Al-Mabrouk acting as a witness.
On April 29, USAID’s Libya Economic Acceleration Project made a significant stride toward fostering economic growth and diversification in southern Libya. USAID joined the Islamic Development Bank, the Central Bank of Libya (CBL), and the Libyan Ministries of Finance, Economy, and Local Governance in Riyadh to launch the Tamkeen Fund. The Tamkeen Fund, which is managed by the Islamic Development Bank in partnership with the CBL, will unlock financing opportunities for small and medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Libya.
This partnership will allow USAID to open the doors for more SMEs in southern Libya’s Fezzan region to have access to financial resources that will help them grow their businesses. The Fezzan region is coming out of years of conflict, leaving support mechanisms for private enterprise weakened. The partnership will also ensure that key Libyan institutions are actively engaged in the economy of the Fezzan, an often underserved region of the country. The Tamkeen Fund signifies a shared commitment to foster economic resilience and diversification throughout Libya and to promote peace and stability in the South.
USAID Inspires Sustainable Living in Libya
 A Taqarib volunteer reads Lubaba and the Magical Garbage to students in Zliten.
To celebrate Earth Day 2024, USAID’s Taqarib activity inspired young eco-champions across Libya with educational initiatives that taught children about sustainable living. USAID distributed 800 copies of Lubaba and the Magical Garbage in 10 municipalities. This heartwarming story follows the journey of a young girl as she rallies her friends to protect their park from harm. Its message instills the importance of environmental stewardship and inspires children to be champions of sustainable living practices.
USAID also organized a series of impactful community clean-up activities, equipping participants with the necessary tools and resources to make a tangible difference in their surroundings. Furthermore, USAID launched engaging social media competitions to incentivize the recycling of plastic bottles and wooden pallets, harnessing the power of digital platforms to foster a culture of environmental responsibility.
By empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to address pressing environmental challenges, USAID is laying the groundwork for cleaner, greener, and more resilient Libyan communities. These efforts underscore USAID’s steadfast commitment to advancing global climate action and safeguarding the planet for future generations.
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Nouran Alarbi’s Journey to Community Leader
 Nouran Alarbi leads a Libyan Debate Club meeting in Benghazi.
Nouran Alarbi’s story is an inspiring example of how dedication, combined with the right support, can catalyze real change. Beginning with her involvement in USAID's Voice of Change program through the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Nouran honed her public speaking, debate, and outreach skills, igniting her passion for civic engagement and leadership.
Her commitment deepened when she joined USAID’s Youth Leaders Program which develops the skills of young Libyan to become facilitators for change in their communities. Since that time, Nouran has become a leader in the Libyan Debate Club (LDC) expanding its reach to cities like Tobruk and institutions like the Libyan International Medical University in Benghazi. Through initiatives like "Youth Speak-Up" sessions and advocacy campaigns, she has amplified youth voices and highlighted the vital role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in vibrant democracies.
“Debate clubs are no longer a novelty. They are a springboard for civic engagement, fostering a generation of young people equipped with the tools to shape the future,” Nouran said.
Under Nouran's guidance, the LDC has cultivated a spirited debate culture in eastern Libya and recently organized a session in the wake of Storm Daniel convening youth, NGOs, and government officials to discuss the role of CSOs in emergencies, showcasing the impact of collaborative efforts. With the support of USAID, young leaders like Nouran are better equipped to shape Libya’s political landscape through collaboration and civic participation, ultimately creating a more just society.
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Educating Libyan Youth on Civic Responsibility
 Ministry of Education staff worked with IFES specialists to develop the updated civic education for high school students at a meeting in Tripoli.
Decades of Gaddafi’s brutal dictatorship meant that an entire generation of Libyans was left without a concrete understanding of their civic responsibilities. Through USAID, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is working to ensure the next generation doesn’t face the same challenges. USAID is partnering with the Libyan Ministry of Education to launch an updated civic education curriculum for high school students in grades 10 through 12 that will equip Libyan students with the principles of civic education and empower their participation as active citizens in their communities.
USAID recently hosted a joint workshop with IFES civic education consultants and representatives of the Ministry of Education to finalize the training manual for the curriculum and prepare materials for 776 civic education teachers across Libya. The interactive training will be rolled out in the next school year and will reach nearly 1 million students. USAID’s civic engagement curriculum is ensuring a new generation of Libyans understand their civic rights and duties, creating a more informed electorate that can support democratic transition and can build a better future for all Libyans.
Dramatically Reducing Electricity Demand in Libya
Infographic depecting the drop in energy consuption in Libya in three years.
Maximum electricity demand in Libya significantly declined in 2023 and the trend has continued in 2024 – an indication that USAID’s and the General Electric Company of Libya’s (GECOL) efforts to reduce demand are working. As Libya approaches the hot summer months, the decrease in maximum demand, which is the highest amount of electricity used over a specific period, is significant because it reduces strain on the national grid during peak usage. Reducing demand also has important implications for the Libyan national budget, since electricity subsidies account for a hefty portion of the annual expenditures.
The decrease in demand is the result of multiple efforts GECOL has implemented with the support of USAID, including awareness campaigns and prepaid smart meters which are part of Libya’s National Energy Efficiency Action Plan. The plan focuses on raising awareness of energy consumption, while also implementing measures to enhance energy efficiency, including the adoption of LED lighting and high-efficiency standards for appliances. Additionally in the last year, GECOL has installed nearly 200,000 prepaid smart meters. Smart meters help consumers understand their energy usage, reduce electricity theft, and improve customer service.
“We have turned to much more efficient electrical appliances for our home,” said Huda Abuaisha, a 37-year-old mother of two who was browsing electric appliances at a shop in Tripoli. “The older ones consume much more power and that raises our electricity bill.”
She said the installation of a prepaid smart meter in her home had made her family more aware of its overall electricity consumption.
Reduction in demand, in addition to significant efforts to stabilize the grid, has resulted in more than twelve months with virtually no power outages in Libya, bolstering the public’s perception of and trust in the government. USAID's energy sector assistance demonstrates how a small amount of resources, coupled with U.S. expertise, can drive catalytic change and contribute to sustaining stability, improving life for everyday Libyans.
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