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Incubator member, The Libyan Wildlife Trust, is partnering with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to begin the implementation of the “WWF Mediterranean Program: Enabling NGOs to Shape the Future of the New Libyan Democracy”. The project will be implemented in Tripoli and Albayda with the participation [...]]]> http:/

Incubator member, The Libyan Wildlife Trust, is partnering with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to begin the implementation of the “WWF Mediterranean Program: Enabling NGOs to Shape the Future of the New Libyan Democracy”. The project will be implemented in Tripoli and Albayda with the participation of local CSOs, local governments, media and local donors. The purpose of the program is to identify Libyan CSOs active in environmental and sustainable development to build their capacity and support their advocacy work, to develop networks of CSOs working on environmental protection, and to assist CSOs in advocating on a local and state level. The project will also seek to establish ties between networks in Libya, Tunis and Morrocco working on environmental and sustainable development.

To learn more about the Libya Wildlife Trust, please visit their website:

https://www.facebook.com/LIBYANWILDLIFETRUST?fref=photo

// Tribute by NLF Staff: She was an inspiration. Here she is supporting one of our initiatives just last week. She believed that investing in the people around her was important and tried to bring good people along with her toward success. She embodied the soft, visionary and [...]]]> http:/

Tribute by NLF Staff: She was an inspiration. Here she is supporting one of our initiatives just last week. She believed that investing in the people around her was important and tried to bring good people along with her toward success. She embodied the soft, visionary and hopeful leadership that Libya craves today. Her life is not a loss as we will continue to stand for the things she became a symbol for; Inclusiveness, reason, justice, compassion and peace. May her lovely soul rest in the peace and dignity she lived to provide for others.

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On Dec. 18th, 2013, leaders from across sectors (civil society, government, Media, Businessess, diplomats, INGOs) convened for the first civil society Networker, sponsored by USAID. The event theme was Fiscal transparency and accountability.

Former consultant to the Libyan Investment Authority, Mr. Salah Baccouch, shared disturbing figures [...]]]> http:/

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The Democracy Resource Center Hosts the third meeting with PWD (Persons With Disabilities) group to discuss the launch of the “Zaykum Zayna” campaign in partnership [...]]]>  http:/

The Democracy Resource Center Hosts the third meeting with PWD (Persons With Disabilities) group to discuss the launch of the “Zaykum Zayna” campaign  in partnership with IFES (International Foundation for Electoral Systems). The campaign, which translates to “we’re just like you” aims to promote the rights of people with disabilities by increasing awareness of their equality, demanding better access to public spaces, and requesting quotas for their participation in public sector leadership.

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In July 2013, a very special guest came to the civil society incubator center. Ambassador Debra Jones met with some representatives from the organization. USAID is the biggest donor toward Libyan civil society activity

The Leadership in Civil Society (LCS) program opened its Incubator Center (IC) in Misurata on April 17th in response to growing demand by the city’s budding civil society organizations. The Misurata IC is an expansion of the leadership agenda in Tripoli, while maintaining a focus on Misurata’s [...]]]> Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

The Leadership in Civil Society (LCS) program opened its Incubator Center (IC) in Misurata on April 17th in response to growing demand by the city’s budding civil society organizations.  The Misurata IC is an expansion of the leadership agenda in Tripoli, while maintaining a focus on Misurata’s unique needs. This center is designed to serve civil society organizations, while empowering leaders in the community.  The selection of participants was competitive among the number of highly committed and qualified applicants.

The new Misurata IC offers more opportunities for a wider range of civil society organizations to interact and collaborate.  Future collaborations include a partnership with the Arab Forum for Citizenship In Transition, which will aid future projects regarding the citizenship of Libyans.  The IC will operate until August 2013 and will conduct programs to enhance the capacity of organizations that work to improve the future of Libyan society through the implementation of monthly programs.

Statistics from the US Small Business Administration reveal that successful completion of a business incubation program increases the likelihood that a [...]]]> Borrowing from the very successful “business incubator” model, the NLF civil society incubator center is an innovative approach toward supporting the healthy and successful development of Libyan civil society through Libya’s democratic transition.

Statistics from the US Small Business Administration reveal that successful completion of a business incubation program increases the likelihood that a startup company will stay in business for the long term: studies found 87% of incubator graduates stayed in business, in contrast to 44% of all firms. Likewise, in civil society, decades of research consistently indicate that the more operational support a new non-profit receives early on, the greater the likelihood that it will survive, prosper, and have a significant impact.

Made possible by generous sponsorship from the people at the Libyan International Telecommunications Company who believed in this fresh idea, the New Libya Foundation will be launching the first civil society incubator in Tripoli, Libya, in March of 2013. The center will provide member organizations with:

Office Space
Wireless internet
Printers and other technology
Regular development workshops
English classes
Networking events
Access to donors
Access to GNC and HNEC representatives
Training and seminar facility
Meeting rooms
Member community based projects
Staff mentorship and support

A Six month membership cost ranges between 100-600LYD for registered Libyan CSOs. Members will be selected based on activity level, the ability to provide value for under-represented constituencies (such as women, youth, the physically disabled, ethnic minorities, and the socially or politically persecuted), and critical advocacy for post-conflict transition and institution building.

For inquiries about the incubator, or to request an application, please message Isam Saidi at nlf.recruitment@gmail.com with “incubator” as the subject heading.

Look out for another blog entry with incubator launch event details, including opening date.

The New Libya Foundation is pleased to share that the “Leadership in Civil Society program” (LCS) is expanding to Misurata.

The six month long program, which is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy, will be launching in the first quarter of 2013. The NLF is partnering with local civil society associations and unions [...]]]>  

The New Libya Foundation is pleased to share that the “Leadership in Civil Society program” (LCS) is expanding to Misurata.

The six month long program, which is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy, will be launching in the first quarter of 2013. The NLF is partnering with local civil society associations and unions in Misurata to identify 20 of the most active, committed and professional CSO leaders to participate in the intensive program. Interested individuals are welcome to apply independently as well.

The LCS  program fosters the emergence of a healthy and viable Libyan civil society sector through the cultivation of community leadership capacity and institutional know-how of young Libyans as they launch their self-sustainable and successful civil society organizations (CSOs).

LCS works with 20 young CSO founders/leaders for six months to train, coach and mentor them through the conceptualization, planning, execution and evaluation of a single project launched by their organization in addition to the successful development of their organization’s operation. The LCS program begins with an intensive three week long seminar articulated around three pillars; Horizontal Leadership, the role of civil society in democracy and operations management. During the following 5 ½ months NLF will mentor, coach and support the participant through the successful launch and completion of their project and provide an “incubator” office and meeting space for their activities. This hub will provide regular access to the program staff, technical infrastructure and the place to meet and work on their projects and activities. The program also includes monthly workshops for ongoing group support and monthly “Quick Impact Projects” for hands on community development to foster community involvement and confidence in project execution. Last, but not least, this process will passively and naturally foster socialization and integration of diverse community groups and social segments through the dialogue and partnership among the various CSOs.

The LCS Misurata program seeks to partner with local associations and unions to address CSO needs particular to Misurata’s post-conflict  setting in addition to our regular curriculum.

On June 19th Libyans will [...]]]> Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

On June 19th Libyans will be called to vote in the first general elections in sixty years. Their vote will determine the members of the 200-strong National Assembly that will appoint the Constitution-drafting committee.

The state authorities are striving to organize the elections, write the laws and regulations to hold them, and last but not least mobilize the citizens to register and cast their vote on Election Day. These are momentous tasks, state capacity is limited and the time is very little. This is why civil society can and should play a very important role in reaching out to the population to explain the electoral process, to make sure voters register, and to observe elections.

In this light Wednesday May 2nd the New Libya Foundation and the Libyan Youth Union organized a workshop for civil society organizations that intend to run awareness campaigns on voter registration and on the electoral process. The training was provided by the Libyan Higher National Electoral Commission (HNEC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) who kindly teamed up on a short notice. The aim of the afternoon was to provided civic education, explain the electoral process, and to focus on voter registration in particular.

The 20 participants, each of which was a civil society organiser in his/her own rights, engaged in passionate discussions and had many questions for the trainers, thus making the event was a great success. Now they will each train and lead their group to organise an awareness campaign for the elections.

Given their further interest and questions, the participants asked to get together again for another workshop in order to explain and explore the electoral process more in detail (design of the electoral districts, party candidates versus individual candidates etc…)

NLF and the UNDP have taken on this request to prepare another workshop.

On the 14th [...]]]> Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

On the 14th of April, staff and LCS program participants of the New Libya Foundation traveled to Tarhuna, a city located in the Northwest of Libya, surrounded by Mslata, Bani Walid and Gharian. For a long period, the city was one of the largest producers of wheat, barley, esparto, olives, grapes, and various nuts in Western Libya. The visit was arranged by friends of the Shr-Sharah Group, an NGO that focuses on sustainable development by developing the tourism and recreational infrastructure while preserving and protecting the natural resources and the ecosystem in the region . The organization strives to encourage domestic and international tourism to the Shr-Sharah region.

After a guided tour of the scenic nature reserve and the Roman ruins, including a furnace and a large Roman house, numerous civil society organizations from Tripoli and Tarhuna conversed on issues ranging from democracy to the role of the Italians in the development of the tarhuna area. The groups then spent time getting to know each other’s work over a delicious traditional Libyan lunch, of lamb, couscous, and salad.

We would like to thank Shr-Sharah group for their fantastic hospitality in showing us one of the most beautiful areas of Libya and their commitment to inter-regional dialogue. The Shr-Sharah group is vitally important in the fight against environmental decay and in the preservation of sites of archaeological interest. As a platform that seeks to nurture infant civil society organizations CSOs, the NLF wishes the Shr-Shara group all the best in these future endeavours and hopes to continue this fruitful partnership long into the future. Finally, as the above pictures demonstrate the beauty of the area, the NLF team looks forward to another visit on Saturday, April 21st to discuss collaboration between NLF LCS program CSOs and CSOs in Tarhuna.