The United Nations Peacebuilding Fund approved almost $3 million in funding for national reconciliation efforts in Libya, aimed at creating an enabling environment for the political process to end the various conflicts in the North African country, UN Peacebuilding announced Tuesday.

The international community and Libyan experts have consistently stressed that the political process can only succeed if an effort is made to create a supportive environment for peace among the population, closely connected with the high-level political initiative.

In the absence of a legitimate government to steer that process and the high risks involved, no donors were willing to get involved. The PBF is stepping in, in its role as the Secretary-General’s fund to intervene in politically-sensitive and financially-risky, yet critical, situations.

The Fund’s involvement is linked with the geopolitical implications of the Libyan conflict for both the Sahel region and the migrant influx into Europe. The project, led by UNSMIL, will be implemented by UNDP in collaboration with NGOs. The exact amount funded will be $2,973,102.