Our Journey: 15 Years of Resilience and Impact
Introduction
Every organization has a story. Ours begins in the hopeful days following Libya’s 2011 revolution, when a group of senior engineers, diplomats, and scientists came together with a shared conviction: that environmental protection must be part of Libya’s post-conflict recovery. What follows is an honest account of our journey—its triumphs, its challenges, and the lessons that have shaped who we are today.
Time Content
Dormancy & Digital Era
October 4-5, 2011: Libya Future Forum, Derna
The seeds of CAEP were planted at the Libya Future Forum in Derna, where forward-thinking Libyans gathered to envision their nation’s post-revolution future. A critical insight emerged from these discussions: environmental protection in a post-conflict Libya must include Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) and Mine Action. This recognition that landmines, unexploded ordnance, and conflict debris are fundamentally environmental issues—not just security concerns—became the foundation of CAEP’s unique dual mandate.
October 15, 2011: Legal Registration under the National Transitional Council
Within weeks of the Derna forum, CAEP was legally registered under the National Transitional Council (NTC). The founding Board of Directors comprised nine senior professionals, including engineers from the National Oil Corporation (NOC), diplomats from the Foreign Ministry, and distinguished scientists. This was not a group of idealistic amateurs but seasoned professionals who understood the complexity of Libya’s challenges and brought decades of institutional experience to the task.
January 2012: Official NGO Registration No. 119
CAEP received its official NGO registration, formalizing its legal status. More significantly, this year saw the implementation of the Triple Helix model: Green Libya Inc. was granted honorary founding membership, and through a brokered agreement, the University of Tripoli formed a Scientific Board—headed by the University President and comprising all Faculty Deans—to provide academic supervision for CAEP’s technical work. This governance innovation distinguished CAEP from every other Libyan civil society organization.
Additional 2012 milestones: CAEP was officially registered as a Mine Action Actor with IMAS/LMAS certification for Mine Risk Education and Victim Assistance; we borrowed a CEO from the national EPA to draft our strategic plan; and we partnered on GreenZyme® oil-remediation technology, establishing our commitment to innovative environmental solutions.
2013 — International Recognition
CAEP’s expertise in post-conflict research attracted international attention. We provided research assistance to Harvard University, CIVIC (Center for Civilians in Conflict), and Altai Consulting on studies related to abandoned armies and conflict aftermath. These collaborations positioned CAEP as a credible research partner for major international institutions and deepened our understanding of the intersection between environmental protection and post-conflict recovery.
2014-2017 — The Dormancy Period
We are transparent about this chapter in our history. When Libya descended into civil war and security breakdown in 2014, CAEP made the difficult decision to enter a low-profile dormant state. Operations were suspended, staff dispersed, and the organization went quiet. We share this openly because we believe that institutional honesty builds trust. Organizations that claim uninterrupted success in impossible environments strain credibility. CAEP’s dormancy was not a failure but a recognition of reality—and our subsequent resurgence demonstrates the resilience of our institutional foundation.
2018-Present — Resurgence and Digital Transformation
As security conditions improved, CAEP resumed operations with a strategic pivot toward digital capacity building. We launched the mocs.ly e-learning platform in collaboration with Moomken, began leading a coalition of nine NGOs for e-learning training, and took on a consultancy role for a Rebuilding Foundation with 300 million LYD in seed capital. The organization that emerged from dormancy was leaner, more adaptable, and better positioned for the digital age.
2023 — Governance Renewal
CAEP undertook a comprehensive governance update, producing an updated Organigram reflecting current organizational structure, a PSEAH (Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment) Institutional Policy meeting international donor requirements, and a CAEPCOEC (Complaints, Appeals, Ethics, Prevention, and Conduct Oversight Committee) framework ensuring internal accountability. These updates positioned CAEP for major institutional partnerships.
2026 — New Horizons
Today, CAEP Libya stands at the forefront of Libya’s development agenda. We are implementing the Census 2026/NTDB25 project—a 51 million LYD initiative to conduct Libya’s first comprehensive population and housing census in decades. We have founded the National Solution Alliance (NSA) for digital transformation and AI integration. And we continue to advance our flagship Hagiga Wahid (One Earth) environmental initiative. The journey that began in Derna continues, guided by the same conviction: that environmental protection and sustainable development are inseparable from Libya’s future.
