#libya #EU grants for Libyan CSOs

By Hadi Fornaji
Tripoli, 15 April 2013
Ten civil society organisations have been awarded grants by the European Union for short-term projects across the country to help women, young people and the disadvantaged.
Out of 105 initial applicants, 18 were preselected and were given training to develop a successful application. Out of these, 10 were selected, and are being given a grant ranging from €7,000 (LD 12,000) to €10,000 LD 17,000) for projects over an eight-month period in Tripoli, Benghazi, Misrata, Sebha, Murzuk and Sirte.
The awarded projects cover several objectives:

• Establishing a training centre for women;
• providing classes for literacy of housewives;
• setting up a social and medical centre for child support;
• setting a computer training centre and an activity centre to enhance the skills of youth;
• opening a sewing factory for youth with special needs;
• creation of several school gardens;
• a charity clinic for children ;
• strengthening the capacity of Almal Association for the deaf and hard of hearing.

The organisations were selected under the Small Grants Scheme conducted by the EU-funded project Civil Initiatives Libya. It aims to help the emergence of Libyan civil society through various forms of support – such as providing necessary workspace and training.
This scheme is the first EU sub-grant programme implemented in Libya,
The EU mission in Libya called the number of applications a “very encouraging” sign for launching similar schemes in the future, and for future cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Civil Society.
At the award ceremony in Tripoli last week, Suzanne Kodsi, Head of Operations at the EU Delegation, stressed that direct support to Libyan organisations is a priority for the EU.

libya herald