Italian Cooperation in the country

In Libya, Italy stands as one of the key actors within the cooperation framework promoted and managed by the European Union, and ranks among the most active donors in the country. Italy contributes through the financing of programs in support of the local population and institutions, along two main lines of intervention: (i) emergency response initiatives, aimed at providing humanitarian assistance and protection to the most vulnerable segments of the population; (ii) development initiatives, designed to foster the process of stabilization, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of the country.  
Although Libya is classified as an upper middle-income country, years of conflict and political instability have hindered public investment in infrastructure and services. The country continues to rely heavily on food imports, while the population endures significant hardship due to limited access to quality health, education, and social services. Within the current framework, the implementation of international cooperation projects faces numerous obstacles, primarily linked to political instability, difficulties in accessing intervention areas, and institutional fragmentation. Administrative and logistical challenges, combined with the need for constant adaptation to evolving security conditions, require a flexible approach and close cooperation with local and international partners. With regard to the presence of foreign migrants, in the absence of a solid migration governance system, they continue to face significant protection-related challenges and risks, particularly in urban settings and detention centers. In 2024, the overall portfolio of ongoing initiatives of Italian Cooperation in Libya amounted to approximately EUR 49.3 million. These funds correspond to 16 initiatives, broken down as follows: 
9 initiatives under the ordinary grant channel (EUR 15.19 million) 
4 emergency initiatives (EUR 10.92 million) 
3 delegated cooperation initiatives (EUR 23.2 million)

Strategic development document in the country

Through the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Development Cooperation between the Government of the Italian Republic and the Government of the State of Libya, concluded in October 2024, the institutional, legal, and financial framework applicable to the activities of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in the country was established, thereby ensuring the full resumption of its operations.
Libya has not had a national development plan since 2011, a circumstance that hampers the formulation of coherent national planning and limits the ability of international partners to align their support with national priorities. Nevertheless, several sectoral strategic documents exist, outlining the priorities and programming of certain line ministries. In particular, these include: the Decentralization Strategy of the Ministry of Local Government (2022–2025), the Water Security Strategy of the Ministry of Planning, and the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Strategy (2023–2035) of the Ministry of Planning.

The Italian strategy and the areas of intervention

In line with the priorities set out in the Italian Three-Year Policy and Planning Document 2021–2023, which identified Libya as one of the North African countries of particular importance for Italian Cooperation, and subsequently reaffirmed in the Three-Year Policy and Planning Document 2024–2026, which lists Libya among the priority countries, the AICS Regional Office in Tunis acts to promote a medium- to long-term transition in the interest of stabilization, national reconciliation, and the reconstruction of the country. Within a humanitarian–development–peace nexus perspective, Italian Cooperation initiatives in Libya provide humanitarian assistance and protection, support the strengthening of technical and governance capacities at the local level, foster capacity development of local authorities in service delivery, and promote durable solutions for inclusive and sustainable development.
Noteworthy is the programme funded by the European Union in the framework of the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), Recovery, Stability and Socio-Economic Development in Libya – Baladiyati (“My Municipality”) for the period 2021–2025. The programme provides support to 21 municipalities in the south of the country in the sectors of education, water and sanitation, renewable energy, agriculture, and local governance. It focuses on several distinct components, namely: (i) strengthening basic services in the sectors of education, water and sanitation, renewable energies, and community services/infrastructure; (ii) improving income-generating activities in the agri-food value chain; and (iii) enhancing the capacities of Libyan institutions.
Furthermore, in the course of 2024, two additional initiatives implemented by AICS and funded by the EU in Libya have seen the light: “HERITAGE – Protection of Cultural Heritage”, in partnership with the Central Institute for Restoration, an action aimed at establishing a sustainable framework for cultural heritage conservation; and “MUWALI – Management of Water Resources at the Municipal Level in Libya”, in partnership with the Autonomous Province of Trento, an initiative designed to strengthen local institutional capacities in water resource management, data collection and analysis, while promoting innovative and sustainable practices in 12 Libyan municipalities. Both initiatives have a duration of 36 months and will commence in early 2025.
 

Alignment with the local government strategy and harmonization with donor community interventions

Italian Cooperation in Libya operates within a coordination mechanism led by the United Nations system, whose activities are framed under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023–2025. Published in 2023 and agreed upon with the Libyan Government, this document defines cooperation priorities in line with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda. The strategy identifies four priority areas of intervention: (i) peace and security; (ii) sustainable economic development; (iii) social and human development; and (iv) climate change, environment, and water. Within this framework, two Collective Outcomes have also been defined: (1) Durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs); and (2) Migration management to address and reduce needs, risks, and vulnerabilities—around which humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding actors coordinate their efforts. The action of Italian Cooperation is fully aligned with these objectives, contributing through projects and initiatives consistent with the UNSDCF’s strategic priorities, and actively participating in decision-making processes within coordination platforms. In this way, Italy reaffirms its role as a crucial partner in promoting integrated and sustainable interventions in Libya.
Furthermore, the AICS Office in Tunis and the Embassy of Italy in Tripoli ensure participation in the following groups and coordination platforms: Mine Action International Partners Meeting, Mine Action Support Group, Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus Working Group, EU Heads of Cooperation, Libyan INGO Forum (LIF INGOs) + Donors, Area Coordination Group–South, Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) Steering Committee, Solid Waste Management Working Group, Water Sector Working Group, and Mine Action Implementing Partners Group.
 

Goals and expected results

In collaboration with the United Nations system, European and international partners, Italy aims to strengthen the capacities of central and local authorities, as well as civil society, in order to stabilize Libya and promote its economic growth, while addressing the structural causes of institutional and economic fragility. The Italian Cooperation in Libya seeks, on the one hand, to ensure a response to the humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable communities, and on the other, to promote durable solutions and sustainable development in line with the humanitarian–development–peace nexus principles.
From a humanitarian standpoint, significant needs persist across many areas of the country, particularly affecting displaced and refugee populations. In this context, Italian Cooperation initiatives aim to provide humanitarian assistance and protection, support the State in delivering essential services to refugees and host communities, and strengthen local capacities to respond to emergencies. Another key sector supported by Italian Cooperation is humanitarian demining in areas affected by armed conflict.
With reference to sustainable development, the Italian Cooperation focuses on initiatives for economic development to create employment opportunities and capacity-building programs aimed at strengthening technical and institutional capacities of local authorities and local stakeholders. Priority sectors include the promotion of cultural heritage, craftsmanship, and intangible heritage, plastic waste recycling, agricultural development, and water and sanitation.
Finally, it should be emphasized that Italian Cooperation will ensure particular attention to the cross-cutting theme of gender equality and female empowerment across all the initiatives.
 

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