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Date
Highlights
USAID Launch New Activities to Support Democracy in Libya
 A Libyan woman at the ballot box.
USAID announced the new Engagement with Voters for Equitable Representation (EVER) activity, which will improve the effectiveness of key Libyan governance institutions and build the capacity of Libyan actors to advance elections. It will support political transformation to encourage the country’s ongoing transition to a stable and democratic state that is free from malign foreign influence. EVER will build on the significant achievements of Libya Elections and Legislative Strengthening Activity which supported Libyan-led initiatives that improved election administration, bolstered civic and voter education, and encouraged civic and political participation. Through EVER, USAID will continue to leverage its established partnerships with national and sub-national entities, youth leaders, and civil society organizations to foster a broadly inclusive democracy that benefits all Libyans. USAID will partner with sovereign institutions to support electoral reforms that promote public participation in national and local elections, increase participation of underrepresented groups as candidates, and equip municipal and national leaders to serve constituents effectively. This activity will be implemented by Democracy International along with local partners and run until 2029.
 El Kul staff worked around the clock to provide lifesaving information after the devastating floods in Derna.
Additionally, USAID will support information resilience with a new activity to help address the political and institutional divides created by a manipulated information environment. With more than six million active social media users in Libya, local and foreign actors are using social media as a tool to create a polarizing information environment that undermines civic institutions, disrupts efforts by like-minded international actors, and fractures social cohesion. Through the newly launched Media Integrity and Resilience, Supporting Audiences in Libya (MIRSAL) activity, USAID will strengthen Libyan institutions by prioritizing information integrity, countering divisive narratives, and ensuring factual public interest media. MIRSAL will deliver trustworthy information and ideas that contribute to the nation's stability by fostering the inclusion of marginalized groups and creating safe online spaces. MIRSAL will expand an existing partnership with BBC Media Action, which reaches 1.3 million Libyans with information to promote inclusion and social cohesion, and counter-narratives. This activity will be implemented by BBC Media Action.
Promoting Stability
Connecting Entrepreneurs from the South to Investors in Tripoli
 Demo day in Tripoli brought together investors and entreprenuers.
 An investor asks questions about a woman-owned business in southern Libya.
On October 1, USAID’s Libya Economic Acceleration Project (LEAP), in partnership with local business development expert SuperNovae, held its first-ever Demo Day in Tripoli. This event provided a platform for budding entrepreneurs to pitch their businesses to banks, investors, and potential customers, fostering a crucial network for Libya’s emerging business sector.
After completing four months of intensive business development training through USAID, seven startups were ready to showcase their ventures. During the networking session, several participants received offers of free marketing support and serious inquiries from banks and larger enterprises. The Demo Day marks the first time businesses from one Libyan city have connected with investors from another through a formal matchmaking event, bridging geographic and economic divides.
Following the success in Tripoli, a second Demo Day will take place in Sebha during the week of October 7, where another group of seven startups will pitch their ideas to local investors and businesses. By linking Libyan startups with key investors, USAID is not only fostering economic development, but also reducing the economic marginalization of entrepreneurs, particularly in southern Libya. Initiatives like these are vital steps toward building a thriving and inclusive economy that benefits all Libyans.
Solar Energy Training Supports a Brighter Economic and Environmental Future
 Technicians learn about battery installation in the ten day training.
In September, USAID’s Libya Economic Acceleration Project delivered a solar panel installation training to Nawat Attaqniyah in Sebha. As climate change continues to exacerbate extreme temperatures and energy shortages in southern Libya, the demand for renewable energy solutions, such as solar power, has skyrocketed—especially in vital sectors that rely on consistent energy like supermarkets, clinics, and pharmacies.
Nawat Attaqniyah, which specializes in solar energy system installations, is at the forefront of this green energy shift. USAID’s timely training program is helping the company meet the rising demand by expanding its team of skilled technicians. Over the course of ten days, the trainees learned essential skills for installing, testing, and maintaining photovoltaic panels, inverters, and batteries, while also engaging in hands-on practical exercises to master troubleshooting and maintenance techniques.
By empowering local businesses like Nawat Attaqniyah and other solar providers in the region, USAID is supporting sustainable economic development and climate resilience in southern Libya. As the region grapples with the increasing impacts of climate change, initiatives like this not only reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower energy costs, and provide reliable power to critical community services, but they ensure that local businesses are at the forefront - increasing economic growth.
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Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance
A Year After Storm Daniel USAID Continues to Strengthen Community Readiness
 A young boy learns about the impact of climate change in the “Save the Earth for the Children” initiative.
As Libya marks the first anniversary of Storm Daniel, which devastated eastern Libya in September 2023, the vital role of civil society in crisis response and climate action has never been clearer. In the aftermath of the storm, Libyan civil society organizations (CSOs) were the first to respond, leading rescue operations and providing critical humanitarian aid. Prior to the storm, climate-focused CSOs had already raised alarms about the storm’s potential impacts, highlighting their commitment to safeguarding their communities.
Over the past five years, USAID's Taqarib project has trained more than a thousand community members, many of whom played key roles in post-Daniel relief efforts by organizing aid convoys, documenting needs, and delivering assistance to the most vulnerable. USAID continues to build the capacity of CSOs to respond to climate change emergencies. In Albayda and Shahhat, USAID recently hosted a Climate Change and Emergency Response Training, where activists learned about climate impacts on marginalized groups and how to adapt to these changes.
Participants also brainstormed initiatives such as tree planting campaigns and climate change awareness sessions. Inspired by the training, two female participants from the Meza Organization launched a climate awareness initiative for children in Albayda under the slogan “Save the Earth for the Children,” fostering environmental education through interactive activities.
Through initiatives like these, USAID is empowering Libyan civil society to lead the way in climate action and community resilience, building stronger community foundations before another emergency strikes.
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