Skip to main content

anwaar - EU4Skills - Page 2 of 5

Author: anwaar

Coordination Meeting with the Ministry of Economy and Trade to Strengthen Cooperation in Economic Development and Capacity Building


A coordination meeting was held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at the Ministry of Economy and Trade, with H.E. Dr. Suhail Abu Shiha, Minister of Economy and Trade, and representatives of relevant departments, in the presence of Mr. Maxime Bost, Programs Director at Expertise France in Libya, Mr. Mohamed Alaswad, Deputy Programs Director, and the Expertise France team.

The meeting opened with welcoming remarks in which H.E. the Minister expressed his appreciation for the long-standing cooperation with Expertise France over the years and the positive results achieved across several areas of joint work, emphasizing the importance of continuing and strengthening this collaboration. For its part, Expertise France valued this ongoing cooperation with the Ministry, highlighting that the partnership represents a successful model of effective institutional coordination aligned with national priorities.

During the meeting, a presentation was delivered on Expertise France projects in Libya, including the EU4Skills project, which aims to align youth skills with labour market needs and support the development of national capacities. The INVEST4Libya project was also presented, focusing on improving the investment climate, supporting public financial governance, promoting green and digital investments, and empowering small and medium-sized enterprises.

H.E. the Minister also emphasized the importance of strengthening data-driven approaches, noting the challenges related to the availability of accurate economic data, and stressing that all upcoming initiatives and projects should be based on reliable evidence to ensure their effectiveness and impact.

He further affirmed his commitment to supporting the development and modernization of the regulatory and legal framework governing the investment sector in a way that contributes to improving the business environment, and stressed the importance of accompanying capacity-building efforts to ensure more effective and sustainable outcomes.

This meeting provided an opportunity to reaffirm the shared commitment to continued cooperation between both sides, to promote economic diversification, and to support economic reforms that contribute to sustainable development in Libya.

Updating Academic Curricula to Strengthen Skills in the Green and Blue Economies: An Integrated Capacity-Building Pathway in Libya under the EU4Skills Project

The EU4Skills project continues to implement a comprehensive set of activities aimed at supporting the development of higher, technical, and vocational education in Libya, with a strong focus on updating academic curricula and aligning them with labor market needs, particularly in the green and blue economy sectors. These activities aim to enhance the readiness of educational institutions to deliver modern, flexible, and skills-based programs that are aligned with global economic and environmental transformations.

These initiatives bring together workshops, technical sessions, academic discussions, and capacity-building programs, with the participation of faculty members, academics, and experts from several Libyan universities and technical colleges. They focus on reviewing existing academic programs, identifying skills gaps, and integrating concepts of sustainability, renewable energy, resource management, and digital transformation into curricula, thereby strengthening the link between theoretical knowledge and practical application within academic institutions.

For instance, a workshop was recently held on February 7, bringing together relevant stakeholders involved in curriculum development and teaching methodologies and quality requirements in the fields of water and agriculture across Libyan universities. The workshop served as an effective platform for exchanging insights and expertise and for establishing practical foundations to update academic programs in line with current and future challenges.

As part of strengthening this trajectory, over several months, an academic cooperation program was implemented with ESPRIT University in Tunisia, focusing on building the capacities of faculty members through hands-on training sessions covering modern teaching methodologies, digital technologies, and the integration of artificial intelligence in education. This collaboration has equipped participants with practical tools that support curriculum modernization within their institutions and enhance their ability to design academic content that is more closely aligned with labor market needs.

This cumulative approach contributes to building an enabling academic environment for curriculum reform by connecting Libyan universities to international expertise networks, fostering knowledge exchange, and strengthening faculty capacities, ensuring that curriculum modernization is a sustained process rather than a phased intervention.

In this context, a study tour to Italy will be organized during April as an extension of these efforts, with the participation of representatives from several Libyan universities and technical colleges, including the University of Tripoli, the University of Benghazi, the University of Zawiya, and the University of Wadi Al Shati, as well as specialized technical institutions in the fields of energy and technology, including the Misrata Industrial Technical College, the Tajoura Renewable Energy College, and the Jikharra Energy Technologies College. The visit will provide an opportunity to explore advanced experiences in designing and updating academic curricula and linking education with scientific research and practical application in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability. It will also include in-depth discussion sessions, academic presentations, and research laboratory visits aimed at exchanging expertise on best practices in developing educational programs and building modern learning models.

In addition, participating faculty members will work in the coming months to transfer the knowledge and expertise gained by implementing specialized training programs within their institutions, under the academic supervision and guidance of ESPRIT University. These initiatives aim to ensure the sustainability of the project’s impact and to strengthen a culture of continuous learning within the university environment by enabling a greater number of academic staff to adopt modern, innovative, and participatory teaching approaches.

The EU4Skills project is funded by the European Union in partnership with the French government and implemented by Expertise France in collaboration with Libyan partners, aiming to support the development of higher, technical, and vocational education in Libya and strengthen its role in promoting sustainable development and creating diverse employment opportunities.

Launch of the Preliminary Phase of the INVEST4Libya Project

A series of technical meetings was held in Tripoli over five days, from Sunday, 29 March to Thursday, 2 April 2026, marking the launch of the inception phase of the INVEST4Libya project. This comes as part of ongoing efforts to support economic and financial reform in Libya. The project is funded by the European Union, with a financial contribution from the French government, and implemented in Libya by Expertise France, with the aim of strengthening economic governance, promoting investment, and supporting sustainable development pathways.

The meetings were opened in the presence of Mr. Mustafa Albarouni, Deputy Minister of Finance for Financial Controllers; Mr. Nouri Algatati, Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade for Free Zones; and Mr. Stergios Tragoudas, Private Sector Programme Manager at the European Union Delegation to Libya. And from Expertise France, attendees included Mr. Maxime Bost, Programme Director; Mr. Mohamed Alaswad, Deputy Programme Director; and Mr. Ayoub Kraima, Chief of Financial Sector Component, in addition to international experts in public finance.

These meetings brought together high-level representatives from key Libyan national institutions, including the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Libya, the Ministry of Planning, the Ministry of Economy and Trade, the Audit Bureau, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Insurance Supervisory Authority, the Capital Market Authority, the Libyan Investment Authority, the National Economic Development Board, the Tax Authority, the Customs Authority, and other relevant stakeholders. The meetings aimed to launch the first phase of the project by presenting its overall concept and activities, particularly in improving public financial management and developing the financial sector. They also included a presentation of the working approach for the inception phase, a discussion of preliminary findings, and a collection of feedback from partners and stakeholders on priorities and challenges.

The meetings also provided an opportunity for dialogue among stakeholders to identify key reform areas, assess capacity-building needs, and strengthen institutional coordination. This will support the development of a clear roadmap for the next phase, contribute to building a more efficient and transparent financial system, and help improve the investment climate in Libya.

The series of meetings concluded with the first Technical Steering Committee meeting, during which the foundations for project follow-up were established, and the work plan for the upcoming phase was endorsed.

To learn more about the project, you can read this article.

Workshop of the Digital Lab to Monitor Progress on the Skills Assessment Platform and Digital Index

On February 7–8, 2026, a workshop was organized for members of the Libyan Innovation Digital Lab (LIDL) to discuss the development of the digital skills assessment platform and the construction of the digital index, with the participation of international experts.

The first day of the workshop focused on reviewing the progress achieved by the Digital Lab, strengthening collaboration with universities, and clarifying roles and responsibilities between the Lab and academic institutions. The Lab team also presented a detailed demonstration of the prototype digital platform. The sessions addressed the methodology used to design the competency-based assessment framework, drawing on international best practices and the French experience in digital skills evaluation. Particular attention was given to the contextualization of these approaches for the Libyan ecosystem, as well as to the active involvement of faculty members in the co-development of the assessment content.

The second day was dedicated to following up on the work on the digital index. Participants discussed newly generated data, reviewed the preliminary version of the dashboard, and examined comparative indicators from regional observatories to support the analysis of Libyan indicators. The sessions also addressed the strategy for publishing the digital index, interpreting its results, and identifying target audiences with clear and effective communication approaches.

The workshop was led by Mr. Patrick AZAN, a digital project management expert from the French Ministry of Finance, and Mr. Perica SUCEVIC, an expert in digital law, open data, digital governance, and national strategies. The workshop concluded with an agreement on the next steps, timelines, and joint commitments to continue developing the platform and the index.

This workshop is part of the activities of the EU4SKILLS project, funded by the European Union in partnership with the French government and implemented by Expertise France, aimed at supporting digital transformation, enhancing digital skills, and improving the alignment of education with labor market needs in Libya.

Stakeholder Meeting to Review and Endorse the National Framework for Enhancing Graduate Employability

On February 7, 2026, a consultative working session brought together representatives from higher and technical education institutions alongside key players from the Libyan labor market to review and endorse the components of the National Framework for Enhancing the Employability of Graduates in Libya.

The session featured in-depth discussions with a distinguished group of experts and leaders, including H.E. Dr. Saleh Al-Ghoul, Deputy Minister of Higher Education; Mr. Alaref Al-Qajiji, Executive Director of the Libyan Businessowners Council; Mr. Ali Naseer, Executive Director of the Libyan Industry Union; and Mr. Khaled Ben Othman, Chairman of the Libyan Council for Oil, Gas and Renewable Energy. Also in attendance were members of the strategy development team and representatives from Expertise France, including Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Al-Aswad, Deputy Programs Director, and Mr. Sohaib Sbaita, Education Governance and Capacity Building Component Manager.

Discussions focused on strengthening institutional and practical linkages between education and the labor market. Participants reviewed the overarching framework of the national strategy, its key pillars, coordination mechanisms, work-based learning approaches, and monitoring and evaluation tools.

The role of career guidance and employment support services was also highlighted as a critical driver for successful implementation—ensuring closer alignment between education outcomes and labor market needs, and ultimately improving graduate employment opportunities.

This meeting was held as part of the EU4SKILLS project, funded by the European Union with co-financing from the French government and implemented by Expertise France in partnership with relevant Libyan institutions. The project aims to bridge the skills gap, strengthen employment governance, and support economic diversification and financial inclusion.

Meeting with labor market representatives to discuss and approve the national framework for enhancing graduates’ employability

A consultative meeting was held on February 5th and 6th, 2026, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Saleh Al-Ghul, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and various representatives from the Libyan labor market, to discuss and approve the components of the National Framework for Enhancing the Employability of Graduates from Educational Institutions in Libya.

The first day focused on presenting and reviewing the overall strategic framework, governance, and mechanisms for partnership and coordination between educational institutions and the labor market. The second day was dedicated to discussing practical implementation tools, including vocational training and career guidance services, work-based learning, and evaluation and follow-up mechanisms.

The sessions facilitated the collection of practical feedback from labor market representatives. They led to an agreement on the next steps for incorporating this feedback into the final version of the framework. This will pave the way for joint discussions between higher and technical education institutions and the Libyan labor market.

This meeting comes as part of the activities of the EU4SKILLS project, funded by the European Union with co-financing from the French government and implemented by Expertise France in partnership with the relevant Libyan authorities, to bridge the skills gap, strengthen employment governance, and supporting economic diversification and financial inclusion.

EU4Skills Project Organizes a Technical Meeting with ESPRIT

As part of the ongoing efforts of the EU4Skills project to strengthen digital skills and link education with the labour market in Libya, a technical meeting was held on Monday and Tuesday, 2–3 February 2026, bringing together ESPRIT University and Libyan academics and faculty members who received capacity-building training at the university under Component Two of the project.

Among those in attendance were H.E. Dr. Saleh Al-Ghoul, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Al-Aswad, Deputy Programs Director at Expertise France, as well as a number of deans from different Libyan universities.

The meeting opened with a review of the achievements made within the capacity-building activities and the updated training programmes implemented by Expertise France in cooperation with ESPRIT University, in addition to discussions on upcoming activities within the framework of this partnership. The meeting also aimed to align visions around future needs for developing digital curricula in Libya, ensuring that all Libyan students acquire the minimum required digital skills to keep pace with global economic transformation.

The agenda included a discussion session on the roles and responsibilities of partners, as well as the awarding of certificates to Libyan professors who participated in digital curriculum development and vocational training programmes. On the second day, participants also took part in a field visit to ESPRIT University laboratories to explore the latest educational technologies in use.

This activity is part of the EU4Skills project, funded by the European Union with co-funding from the French Government and implemented by Expertise France, aiming to strengthen the capacities of Libyan institutions to achieve sustainable economic development and bridge the skills gap between graduates and the labour market.

Technical Meeting on Improving Employability Opportunities for Technical and Vocational Education Graduates in Libya

On 26 January 2026, a technical meeting was held on the National Framework for Enhancing the Employability of Education Graduates in Libya, in the presence of H.E. the Minister of Technical and Vocational Education, Mr. Yekhlef Saeed Seifaw, and the Deputy Minister, Mr. Al-Farjani Ahmed, underscoring the importance of this framework and its pivotal role in supporting the development of the technical and vocational intermediate education sector in Libya.

The meeting focused on presenting the general framework for work-based training, and on discussing the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis, in addition to reviewing the laws and regulations governing intermediate technical and vocational education, as well as the mechanisms for integrating and regulating practical training and work-based learning within the education system.

Discussions also addressed the need to establish a shared understanding of the current state of technical and vocational intermediate education, identify the technical and institutional requirements for implementing the general framework for work-based training, and explore opportunities to prioritize promising sectors, particularly the green and blue economies. Participants also agreed on the next steps, including setting a timeline for presenting the general framework to key stakeholders.

This meeting was held as part of Component One of the EU4SKILLS project, funded by the European Union with co-funding from the French government and implemented by Expertise France in partnership with relevant Libyan stakeholders, with the aim of bridging the skills gap, strengthening employment governance, and supporting economic diversification and financial inclusion.

Applied Training Program to Strengthen Electronic Payments and Oversight Capacities at the Central Bank of Libya

As part of the activities of the EU4SKILLS project, an applied training program was launched to strengthen the capacities of electronic payments, oversight, and supervision teams at the Central Bank of Libya. The program spans four days of training sessions and discussions, from 26 to 29 January 2026. It is organized by Expertise France in cooperation with the Central Bank of Libya, under the fourth component dedicated to supporting the financial sector.

The training program was inaugurated by Mr.Tarek Ashour, Director of the Payments and Settlements Department at the Central Bank of Libya, in the presence of Mr.Maxime Bost, Programs Director at Expertise France, Mr. Mohamed Alaswed, Deputy Programs Director, and Mr. Ayoub Kraima, Chief of the Financial Inclusion Component at the project.

The training, delivered by experts and specialists from the Central Bank of Jordan, targeted 18 staff members from the departments of Banking and Currency Supervision, Payments and Settlements, and Legal Affairs. It focused on strengthening practical and applied understanding of the legal, regulatory, and operational frameworks governing electronic payment systems and services, as well as oversight and supervision, cybersecurity, financial technology (FinTech), and the fight against financial crimes.

This program comes as part of efforts to support the Central Bank of Libya in developing a modern and secure payment system and strengthening financial governance, contributing to the creation of a more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable financial sector in Libya, in line with the objectives of the EU4SKILLS project, funded by the European Union in partnership with the government of France and implemented by Expertise France in Libya.

Celebrating Innovation at the final ceremony of the Skills & Solutions Hackathon

After days of preparation and planning, the long-awaited day arrived: a day of competition, presentations, and celebrating the efforts of the participating teams from across Libya, all striving for the top ranks in the Skills & Solutions Hackathon.

The participating teams and their innovative ideas shined during the closing ceremony hosted by the University of Tripoli, in the presence of high-level representatives from public and private institutions, along with a delegation from the European Union and the French Embassy.

The ceremony opened with speeches emphasizing the importance of such events in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, and in supporting impactful community-driven solutions that contribute to Libya’s economic development. The opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Khaled Ghouma, Vice President of the University of Tripoli for Academic Affairs, followed by H.E. Mr. Mohamed Al-Hweij, Minister of Economy and Trade.

Valuable remarks were also delivered by Mr. Mohamed Suweed, Senior Advisor at the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Mr. Marton Benedek, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation, who were accompanied by Mr. Stergios Tragoudas, Program Manager for Private Sector Support and Higher Education at the EU Delegation in Libya.

A motivating speech was then delivered by Mr. Jean-Pierre Bat, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of France in Libya, who attended alongside Mr. Frédéric Vincent, Cultural Cooperation Attaché at the Embassy.

Further remarks were shared by Mr. Maxime Bost, Program Director at Expertise France, and H.E. Mr. Saleh Al-Ghoul, Deputy Minister of Education and Scientific Research, closing the speeches with a message that reflected strong collaboration and international support for innovation in Libya.

After the judging committee, composed of leading experts and specialists, reviewed the projects based on creativity, impact, and feasibility, the winning teams were announced and honored. Universities with the highest number of participating teams were also recognized. The event concluded on an inspiring note with remarks from Mr. Husni Bey, CEO of HB Group and one of the event sponsors; H.E. Mr. Nouri Al-Gattati, Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade; Mr. Ali Nasser, Director of the Libyan Union of Industries; and Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Al-Aswad, Deputy Program Director at Expertise France.

This hackathon is part of the activities of the EU4SKILLS project, funded by the European Union and co-funded by the French Government. The project is carried out by Expertise France to enhance skills and improve employment opportunities in Libya.