The Nicosia Initiative: Stepping up the cooperation between the European and Libyan local authorities
ZBN Analysis no. 5 (44) / 2019
18 March 2019.
More than 7 years have passed since the downfall of the Gaddafi regime, yet the Libyan case remains problematic for the EU neighborhood policy. The multiplicity of financial and political top-down efforts resulted only in a mediocre effect. An alternative, and to some extent an experimental initiative, has been proposed by the Committee of the Regions in cooperation with European and Libyan regions and municipalities. Launched in 2016, the so-called Nicosia Initiative aims at providing a platform for the exchange of good practices between the local authorities from both sides of the Mediterranean and beyond. Through small-scale projects, the European regions and cities contribute to the strengthening of the capacity of local administrations in Libya, pushing the decentralization process towards the politically desired direction. The analysis looks over the Initiative while locating it in a wider context of decentralization process in Libya.
In the photo: Burmistrz Trypolisu Abdulfaur Beitelmal, the mayor of Tripolis, speaking about the Nicosia Initiative at the panel discussion on the successes of partnership in cooperation between cities and region in the framework of Cities and Regions for Development Cooperation Forum, Committee of the Regions, Brussels, 4 February 2019. Credit: Committee of the Regions, https://www.flickr.com/photo/cor-photos/32040730097/in/album-72157706486800604/
