Dialogue and learning
The programme held 102 Search, Understand, and Question (SUQ) dialogues with 1,583 participants; 48% of participants were women. Topics included human rights, transitional justice, and local governance.
SHARP I and SHARP II
Dialogue and local action across Libya
From November 2019 to August 2024, two EU-funded programmes supported rule of law dialogue, civil society capacity, and locally led action.
November 2019 – August 2022
SHARP I
Built dialogue and local capacity through research, learning, and community-led action.
The EU-funded SHARP I programme was implemented by Institute Clingendael and Bureau Ensemble with Libyan civil society organisations, local authorities, and national institutions. From November 2019 to August 2022, it worked to strengthen Libya’s rule of law through dialogue, research, and local action.
- SUQ dialogues
- 102
- Dialogue participants
- 1,583
- Women participants
- 48%
SHARP I in the field
SHARP I
Dialogue and local action across Libya.
Community action
Twenty-one sub-contract actions addressed conflict mediation, access to justice, women’s rights, labour rights, and civil-society and media engagement. They produced 62 workshops, 6 research papers, 24 training sessions, and 1,555 media outreach activities.
What followed
The EU approved SHARP II to build on these lessons: deepen dialogue, focus on four to six rule of law themes while retaining flexibility, strengthen CSO project design and evaluation, and support durable government–CSO networks.
Read the full SHARP I record+
The EU-funded SHARP I programme was implemented by Institute Clingendael and Bureau Ensemble with Libyan civil society organisations, local authorities, and national institutions. From November 2019 to August 2022, it worked to strengthen Libya’s rule of law through dialogue, research, and local action. Budget: €1.996 million.
Objectives
- Strengthen Libyan institutions’ ability to respond to rule of law challenges.
- Build the organisational capabilities of Libyan change agents.
- Foster dialogue and information-sharing between stakeholders.
Dialogue and learning
The programme held 102 Search, Understand, and Question (SUQ) dialogues with 1,583 participants; 48% of participants were women. Topics included human rights, transitional justice, and local governance. A further 46 Training & Learning sessions covered facilitation, project management, and monitoring.
Community action
Twenty-one sub-contract actions addressed conflict mediation, access to justice, women’s rights, labour rights, and civil-society and media engagement. They produced 62 workshops, 6 research papers, 24 training sessions, and 1,555 media outreach activities.
Results and lasting value
87% of SUQ participants considered the discussions relevant, and 75% believed SHARP could contribute to rule of law change. Projects strengthened CSO reporting skills and partnerships with local authorities. Libyan-led initiatives built community trust; the programme adapted to pandemic and security constraints with virtual activities and local dialogue, helping CSOs develop lasting networks.
What followed
The EU approved SHARP II to build on these lessons: deepen dialogue, focus on four to six rule of law themes while retaining flexibility, strengthen CSO project design and evaluation, and support durable government–CSO networks.
Areas of work
- Human rights
- Transitional justice
- Local governance
- Conflict mediation
- Access to justice
- Women’s rights
- Labour rights
- Civil society and media
September 2022 – August 2024
SHARP II
Expanded a nationwide civil-society network and turned inclusive dialogue into community action.
Funded by the European Union and implemented by Bureau Ensemble with Libyan partners, SHARP II built on SHARP I to strengthen the rule of law, stability, and participatory governance. From September 2022 to August 2024, the programme had a budget of €1.426 million.
- SUQ dialogues
- 157
- Dialogue participants
- 2,554
- Active CSOs
- 64
SHARP II in the field
SHARP II
A nationwide civil-society network in action.
Dialogue and network
157 SUQ dialogues engaged 2,554 participants, 44% of them women. Discussions covered access to justice, women’s empowerment, local governance, and the media’s role in the rule of law.
Skills and community action
Six Training & Learning sessions covered facilitation, project management, and monitoring. Advanced training reached 100 participants, with 24 certified as trainers.
A sustainable exit
The March–August 2024 exit phase shaped three pillars for continued impact: Access to Justice (legal aid, mediation, and policy reform), TAZIZ (municipal capacity and citizen engagement), and ADWA (ethical journalism and countering misinformation). United Efforts was established and registered as a Libyan legal entity to help sustain the work.
Read the full SHARP II record+
Funded by the European Union and implemented by Bureau Ensemble with Libyan partners, SHARP II built on SHARP I to strengthen the rule of law, stability, and participatory governance. From September 2022 to August 2024, the programme had a budget of €1.426 million.
Priorities
SHARP II aimed to grow a national network of rule of law dialogue groups; build social cohesion and consensus locally, regionally, and nationally; organise inclusive dialogues on rule of law and positive citizenship; and support small community actions.
Dialogue and network
157 SUQ dialogues engaged 2,554 participants, 44% of them women. Discussions covered access to justice, women’s empowerment, local governance, and the media’s role in the rule of law. The network grew to 64 active CSOs from 27, reaching every region, including marginalised areas in the south.
Skills and community action
Six Training & Learning sessions covered facilitation, project management, and monitoring. Advanced training reached 100 participants, with 24 certified as trainers. All 34 approved sub-contracts were implemented, addressing legal awareness, reconciliation, women’s rights, gender-based violence, municipal capacity, ethical journalism, and misinformation. Activities reached 1,487 trainees and 1,697 workshop participants; awareness campaigns benefited 2,896 people.
Policy, communication, and impact
Regional and national dialogues informed recommendations on faster court processes and legal aid, municipal empowerment under Local Governance Law 59, and media transparency and hate speech. Libyan-led monitoring supported adaptive delivery, while 1,555 media outreach activities amplified the work. CSOs led 100% of activities; ministries and municipalities partnered with them, and young people, displaced people, and persons with disabilities took part.
A sustainable exit
The March–August 2024 exit phase shaped three pillars for continued impact: Access to Justice (legal aid, mediation, and policy reform), TAZIZ (municipal capacity and citizen engagement), and ADWA (ethical journalism and countering misinformation). United Efforts was established and registered as a Libyan legal entity to help sustain the work.
Areas of work
- Access to justice
- Women’s empowerment
- Local governance
- Media and rule of law
- Social cohesion
- Positive citizenship
SHARP II’s exit phase
From March to August 2024, the SHARP II exit phase focused on access to justice, local governance through TAZIZ, and media through ADWA. United Efforts was established and registered as a Libyan legal entity.
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