The aim of the project is to improve Libyan HEIs' role for the economic and social development of the country. The specific objective is to enhance HEIs specific capacities to connect academia and research activities to the labour market and civil society trough the establishment of TTOs - Technology Transfer Offices. HEIs in Libya need support, on the one hand, in improving their internal organisational capacity and on the other hand, in networking and coordinating to gain international visibility and to maximise the impact of their work. They have to play a stronger role in order to be active actors and to promote innovation processes. Actually there are several universities with an high level in academic community that could revoulizionise process by expoliting research results. The Technological Transfer Office represents the academic window on the market, it will give visibility to ideas and researches of the Libyan Universities giving them a role in the promotion of innovation and creativity, enhancement of social dialogue and accompaniment of youth to labour market. Thus, the present project, after a thorough analysis of the legal, social and economic situation of Libya, as well as of the level and the potentialities of scientific and technological research in the Universities, will be aimed at developing a complete and updated academic system on the subject of the valorisation and exploitation of the academic research results. In order to achieve the objectives and to tackle the identified challenge, the project has a multidisciplinary approach focused on:- Developing new innovative and multidisciplinary abilities to promote HEIs activities;- Facilitating the exchange, flow and joint creation of knowledge among the universities.- Stimulating the entrepreneurial spirit and abilities of HEI’s staff in order to propose innovative actions;- Creating thematic national and international network.

Transforming agriculture in the context of climate change is a central challenge in North-Africa, the most food-import-dependent region worldwide and a climate change hotspot. Tackling these issues, Agro-Ecology (AE) appears as an answer to meet both the challenges of global sustainability and local resilience. In this context, NATAE consortium brings together high-level research institutions, international organisations and NGOs with strong experience on AE approaches and exceptional capacity to induce transformational change by informing policies and education. NATAE project aims to foster the adoption of science-based, locally-tailored and co-designed AE strategies in North Africa by creating a comprehensive and quantitative baseline on AE, providing a shared understanding, multidimensional performance measures, and analyses of AE potential for meeting consumers demand on the market. To achieve this goal, NATAE will set-up and inform a unique multi-actor community of knowledge and capacity building on AE in the Mediterranean, with ground breaking findings on the performances of AE-Practices (AEP) in North Africa. An original multi-dimensional, multi-scale evaluation framework covering dimensions currently overlooked, and a replicable methodological guidebook will be designed. An integrated modelling approach combining a biophysical, a household/regional bio-economic indicator modelling chain will be used to develop a unique Integrated Assessment of Agricultural Systems to assess the resilience of AEP-based farming systems. Participatory approaches via Living Labs will be elaborated to develop, test and capitalize alternative public policies and foster AE transitions. An integrated group of dissemination activities, will further test, advance and communicate a range of existing AE innovations from farm to fork, including innovative farm practices, value-chain innovations, and innovations in food system governance, advancing their respective readiness level.

Africa is a crucial player to tackle the world energy challenge since major global energy, climate and sustainable goals depend on the future of this region. Energy demand in Africa will increase by 50% from 2012 to 2040 according to the International Energy Agency. Altough African greenhouse gases will share around 5% of global emissions at 2040, major climate change impacts will hit this vulnerable region with extreme wheater events and socio-economic disruptions. Finally, the achievement of 2030 Sustainable Development goals will depend on how the access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy will be provided in Africa. Beyond these challenges, energy can be a game changer to promote sustainable development in Africa. Northern Africa has a key role because of its overlooking position on Europe, its historical tradition in the energy field and the huge potential in renewable sources. Libya has the largest proven oil reserves in Africa as well as a huge potential for renewable energy, however, the country still depends on fossil fuels. The current conflict and its reflection on the energy scene have made urget a transition of the national energy system. The overall objective of this proposal is to develop an innovative educational platform based on new courses and digital tools able to capture the disrupting changes of the future energy transition based on the growing use of renewable energy and access to modern energy services.A Master in Renewable and Sustainable Energy will be conceived basing on a multi-level approach to capacity building. In addition, the project aims to engage citizens in sustainability via the creation of a MOOC for citizens.In the long-term, this project will affect three target groups including 1) government, with an increase of economic development and job creation, 2) organization, with a multi-stakeholder commitment from the public to the private sector, and 3) individuals, with an increase of skills and engagement.

WHEEL is a logical next step to act on the findings from the UNIGOV project on the main challenges facing Libyan HEIs. In a divided country, with no reliable countrywide HE data collection since the outbreak of the 2011 revolution, a vision of the role of HE is missing. Libyan universities are limited in their ability to collaborate & share knowledge. They also suffer from lack of funding, poor technological capabilities and no possibilities of professional development.To address all of the above, WHEEL will formalise a Network of HEIs to foster interinstitutional collaboration and dialogue and to allow the Consortium, which represents around 75% of Libya’s university population, to act as a unified voice in lobbying for policy developments. The Network will gather a comprehensive dataset of current HE statistics collected through the WHEEL project (Blueprint policy document). The creation of an online platform to facilitate the activities of this Network will be accompanied by technological upgrades within each Libyan HEI. The main efforts will go towards improving institutional management, capacity and other key functions (quality assurance, development of research & innovation capacities, etc.) through a series of ‘train the trainer’ workshops and regional & national conferences.As the Libyan members of the Consortium will own all outcomes and products after the project ends, the WHEEL Network and its findings will be sustainable in the long-term. In the short term, the Consortium’s institutional and technological capacities will be improved and the HEIs will possess qualified and trained staff to continue to progress these capabilities. Effective regional & national dissemination through newsletters & social media will attract non-member HEIs to the Network, which will gain a critical mass to influence policy and promote development in other local HEIs, but also to continue to develop and expand the Network, which crosses political and geographical borders.

Migration is one of the main critical issues afflicting the Libyan society for many years. The result is a humanitarian disaster, in terms of deaths, detentions, and abuses people are constantly exposed to. Long-term effects are frightening: security and health issues, social and economic consequences of a disaster which also involves many minors and women. The mismanagement of illegal immigration is the context of this proposal and calls on the social responsibility of universities to make their contribution.The HGRA project aims to enhance management and studies on migration issues in Libya. The topic is rarely addressed by the academia and faculties offering courses, trainings or research on the subject are practically non-existent. HGRA aims to strengthen the awareness of the academic community on the medium-long term effects of the crisis and build the capacities of HEIs in structuring an adequate educational offer in this regard.A deep knowledge of a phenomenon is the first step to control and manage it. The project aims to establish an observatory where to collect massively data and relevant information, and to use such data for developing solutions to reduce its negative effects and benefit from its advantages. A Hub will develop policy recommendations to be addressed to key actors involved in the management of the migratory phenomenon. Focused trainings will be delivered to build the capacities of the academic staff of Libyan universities. The aim is to provide beneficiary universities with the tools to structure their own academic teaching modules in the field, suitable to train professionals to be employed in the sector. Technical support and on-the-job training will target beneficiary universities to elaborate a tailored made teaching proposal adapted to the Libyan national context. HGRA will play a role in establishing educational programs on migration studies in the near future to address the migratory crisis locally and from its roots.