Conducting an Inclusive Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Assessment in Libya

Libya’s prolonged political crisis and violent conflict have severely impacted the labour market, leading to significant decent work deficits and high unemployment rates, particularly among women and youth. The collapse of centralized governance and the emergence of parallel institutions have disrupted economic activities, further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, long-term environmental degradation, and climate change impacts. The latter, including water scarcity and declining agricultural productivity, have contributed to food insecurity and livelihood instability, as well as heightened competition over natural resources that risks increasing tensions and contributing to conflict. Altogether, these conditions have culminated in widespread multidimensional poverty across the country.

Within this environment, fostering inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems emerges as a pathway to provide economic opportunities and empower marginalized groups, especially women, youth and internally displaced populations (IDPs). These challenges also present opportunities for promoting green jobs and stability if managed carefully, for instance by supporting green businesses and encouraging practices that are adaptive to climate change or contribute to mitigating environmental impact, aligning with broader disaster risk reduction strategies.