EU and CESVI Partner to Build the Capacity of Libyan CSOs with YCDPJ

Benghazi, Libya — 26 August 2025 — Twelve civil society organizations (CSOs) from eastern Libya have completed a six-day capacity-building training under the EU-funded Youth-Centered Dialogue for Peace and Justice in Libya (YCDPJ) project, implemented by CESVI in partnership with Tatweer Research.

The training, held from 16 to 21 August at Tatweer Research's headquarters, brought together ten CSOs from Benghazi, one from Derna, and one from Tobruk. These organizations were selected following a mapping exercise of CSOs in eastern Libya to identify those with the strongest impact in their communities.

The training followed a needs assessment process for each CSO, designed to evaluate existing capacities, identify gaps, and understand organizational challenges and goals. A core focus was placed on promoting inclusivity and strengthening women's representation across all levels of leadership.

Based on the findings, individualized development plans will be created for each CSO, outlining capacity-building activities, mentorship opportunities, and strategies to advance inclusive and gender-responsive practices.

The sessions covered a range of themes, including financial sustainability and procurement (transparency, integrity, roles and responsibilities in the supply chain, and procurement policy development).

Communication and advocacy sessions focused on internal and external communication, stakeholder engagement, social media content, and the use of storytelling in campaigns.

Partnership development sessions explored types of partnerships, cooperation strategies, negotiation skills, and drafting agreements.

Artificial intelligence in civil society sessions introduced tools such as ChatGPT and Canva, while exploring ethical use in documentation, reporting, and community communication.

This training is part of a broader EU-supported initiative aimed at strengthening the role of civil society in advancing peace, justice, and inclusive development in Libya.

Over the coming months, participating CSOs will benefit from targeted mentorship, peer learning with regional and international partners, and sub-grants of up to EUR 10,000 to implement grassroots initiatives promoting the social inclusion of women, youth, and children.