Active Citizenship and Democratic Participation in Libya

The “Ruwad” Project in Partnership with the Forum for Democratic Libya 

The challenges of Libya’s transition require active, capable and influential citizens to take part in the new governance system and overcome the deeply entrenched tensions and divisions across the country. In response to this need, BRD is highly involved in supporting the work of civil society activists and coalitions throughout the country.

BRD consultants are serving Forum for Democratic Libya (FDL) by providing the NGO with tailored assistance that has helped institutionalize and scale its efforts throughout Libya.

The Forum for Democratic Libya is a group of activists, intellectuals, and youth who came together, aiming to“build and enforce a culture of democracy and accountability through the equal and free participation of Libyan citizens.”

We serve FDL by providing specialized consulting and coaching services in the following areas:

1.      Facilitation of Inception and Organizational Set-up

We worked closely during the inception with Libyan activists, businessmen, lawyers, members of the diaspora, and professionals to identify the mission and vision of the organization. Based on a series of dialgoues, we assisted the FDL leadership in designing the internal governance system and outreach strategies.

 2.      Fundraising and Planning

By offering on-the-job coaching as well as an accompaniment program for FDL staff, we helped develop FDL’s fundraising strategy. We also assisted in project design and strengthening relations with donors and local stakeholders.

 3.      Recruitment and Volunteer Management

Based on internal dialogues with FDL founders, we helped set the criteria for selection of Board of Directors and identified the job descriptions and staff profiles needed to manage FDL’s operations.

 4.      Project Design and Implementation

Through a mapping of local needs as well as experiences from other contexts, BRD is asssiting FDL in designing projects and interventions to serve its mission. We have offered support in setting measurments of success, project evaluation, and coaching during execution.

 5.      Outreach and Communications

We work closely with FDL leadership on maximizing outreach to decision-makers, media, academia, and other civil society assocaitions by setting communication strategies, and developing the capacities of spokespersons and writers.

 6.      Evaluation and Reporting

Understanding that beneficiaries and donors value impact and sustainability, we work closely with FDL on reporting policies, evaluation and monitoring schemes, as well as dissemination of success stories and updates to stakeholders inside and outside Libya.

BRD continues to partner with the Forum for Democratic Libya on a project entitled Ruwad (pioneers) to spread and nurture the culture of dialogue, tolerance, and democratic participation across Libya.

The “Ruwad” program is comprised of the following components:

Firstly, developing a curriculum on “Active Citizenship & Democratic Participation” to train citizens on the concepts, tools, and mechanisms that will enable them to engage and influence the democratic process and transition period in Libya.

The “Active Citizenship & Democratic Participation” curriculum covers the following three core modules:

1- Citizenship: Rights, Duties and Belonging

2-Citizens and the Democratic Process

3- Diversity in Libya: Empathy and Acceptance

“I discovered that there are so many differences in my own city, and that the best way to face is this by changing myself and how I deal with others…”

Participant from Darna

Secondly, Ruwad focus on the training a group of facilitators, in order to transfer the knowledge and skills gained during the modules and topics in the curriculum.

The second phase of the project selected and built the capacity of  23 selected participants from different regions in Libya over a six day “Training of Facilitators”.

Today, the Ruwad continue to take their own initiative to train on “Active Citizenship & Democratic Participation,” spreading the message and values of FDL across Libyan towns.

“This project helped me travel all over Libya and connect with youth, women, elderly, intellectuals and thuwar members who were thirsty to learn about democracy and civic participation…”

25 year old FDL Facilitator 

Thirdly, generating feedback and documenting perspectives from the greatest number of citizens possible in order to incorporate recommendations for civic education in schools and universities across Libya.

The third phase of the programis now expanding the outreach to different regions, including Darnah, Misurata, Sebha and Tripoli where BRD has now reached out to more than 650 citizens.

“Some say that democracy is good and others say it is bad, I came here to learn and make up my own mind…”

Participant from Benghazi