SANFROSSA MANYINDA writes
EU has given Civil Society Organisations in Zambia for K67 million for Human Rights, Good Governance and Humanitarian Aid programmes.
The European Union has a long-standing relationship and cooperation with civil society organisations and has recognised their importance as partners in democracy, inclusive growth and sustainable development processes.
The European Union decided in 2018 to contribute to this EU commitment towards civil society by enhancing the role and capacity of CSOs as actors in the promotion of governance and accountability interventions at local and national levels, and by promoting inclusive sustainable growth through skills development in Zambia.
A call for proposals was launched in 2018 under the “Civil Society and Local Authorities” budget line with two key priorities of citizen engagement in deepening democracy and re-integration of inmates in correctional facilities.
Six projects were eventually contracted for a total amount of €3, 8 million.
A direct award was also given to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the support to refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and host communities at Mantapala Settlement in Nchelenge District of Luapula Province.
The funding (€1 million) will be channelled through civil society organisations who will provide a substantial support to the people in need in the sectors of education and water & sanitation. In addition, the European Union has decided to support the campaign towards the abolition of death penalty in Zambia implemented by the Human Rights Commission, for an amount of €100,000. The nation-wide campaign, which started this week, aims at increasing public understanding, appreciation and support towards abolishing death penalty both in practice and in law in Zambia
