From 24 to 28 August 2025, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture Benghazi (BENCCI) for the first time hosted a national training workshop in Benghazi to strengthen the institutional capacity of employer and business membership organizations (EBMOs) in the East of Libya.
Organized with the support of the ILO's Bureau for Employers' Activities (ACT/EMP) and financial contributions from the ILO Country Office in Algeria, the training brought together 15 BENCCI staff, including 11 women, representing departments such as Economic and International Relations, Finance, Communications, Administration, Information, and Artificial Intelligence.
The workshop aimed to equip participants with practical knowledge and tools to improve EBMO governance, enhance advocacy, expand membership, strengthen communication, and deliver high-quality services to their members. These skills are not only essential for building more effective and responsive employer organizations, but also for ensuring that the employers' voice is better positioned to engage in national discussions on economic priorities, labour market policies, and broader development strategies. Stronger representation will allow employer organizations to articulate the needs of the private sector more effectively and contribute to shaping a business environment conducive to growth and job creation.
© ILO
The training also included an introduction to the ILO's history, governance structure, and normative role, including international labour standards (ILS) and supervisory mechanisms.
BENCCI's strong logistical support and commitment were instrumental to the success of the event. It is worth noting that this is the first ILO activity in Eastern Libya. The training represents a significant step in reinforcing BENCCI's leadership and capacity to support employers and ensure their active participation in policy dialogue during challenging times.
