LIBYA: ELECTIONS AND LEGISLATIVE STRENGTHENING ACTIVITY

USAID, along with its partners, provides election-related technical support and advice to Libyan government institutions with election-related responsibilities on topics including electoral regulations and procedures, strategic communications, campaign finance, electoral dispute resolution, and inclusion of marginalized communities. USAID/Libya seeks to strengthen citizens’ confidence in the elected government through ensuring the integrity of elections, allowing them to democratically elect their leaders, who will in turn strengthen their capacity to represent the diversity of interests voiced by Libyan citizens. USAID also supports organizations that represent women, people with disabilities, youth and other marginalized and minority groups to enhance their participation in electoral and political processes.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Election and Legislative Strengthening Activity (ELSA) aims to increase confidence and trust in political and electoral institutions, incorporate civil society into policy and decision-making processes, and increase active participation of all segments of Libyan society, including persons with disabilities, women, youth, and traditionally marginalized populations. The program emphasizes sustainability and ownership throughout all of its activities.

• Life of Program: October 2018 to March 2022
• USAID Implementing Partner: National Democratic Institute (NDI)
• USAID Investment: $10.7 million

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

• Provide training to Libya's national legislative bodies to include: leadership, empowerment, negotiation skills, and consensus building skills.
• Conduct training programs for civil society groups representing women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized segments of the population to develop the skills needed to advance their policy goals at the national and local government levels.
• Implement debate programs and clubs in high schools and universities throughout Libya to promote the active participation of youth in Libyan political processes.
• Establish Community Organizing Youth Groups in eight municipalities across Libya to encourage youth participation, amplify young voices within communities and foster a spirit of community activism and volunteerism.
• Provide support to civil society organizations that observe domestic elections.
• Support civic education programs to encourage a broader level of participation in democratic processes and institutions, including elections and engagement with elected officials.

PROGRAM ACHIEVEMENTS

• Conducted trainings with a network of Libyan CSOs to conduct citizen election observation of municipal elections throughout Libya, including monitoring 237 polling stations, deploying 236 domestic election observers, and releasing 8 domestic observation reports.
• Provided support and trainings to Amazigh and Tuareg groups on Get Out the Vote (GOTV) methodologies for municipal elections, which resulted in over 10,000 individuals reached through phone banks, social media posts and radio spots.
• Provided assistance to 30 civil society organizations representing the interests of women, people with disabilities, and under-represented groups to build advocacy campaigns.