Enhanced
Citizens' Participation Summary The
strategy is premised on the need to increase the competition of ideas in the political
and economic governance of Zimbabwe. Because more effective dialogue between
citizens, and the government is needed, this program supports government institutions
and citizens’ groups. The “Participation” objective helps Zimbabwean citizens
enhance their capacity to participate in national and local decision making through
a two-pronged approach of: -
Increasing the ability of citizens’
groups to represent their interests to Parliament and local authorities, and -
Enhancing the capacity of selected Government institutions (e.g.,Parliament
of Zimbabwe, local authorities, land reform institutions) in receiving and considering
citizens’ interests in their decision and programs. Activity
Profile Zimbabwe Democracy Strengthening This
activity is implemented in partnership with Zimbabwean civil society organizations
(CSOs). It assists them to conduct more effective advocacy efforts with Parliament
on behalf of their members’ interests. More than ten CSOs are benefiting under
this activity and include a wide range of groups, including business associations,
child/gender advocacy groups, and church-related groups. Zimbabwe
Parliamentary Strengthening To help develop more effective and
accessible government institutions, we are helping the Parliament of Zimbabwe
implement the recommendations of the Parliamentary Reform Committee’s Report as
agreed by Parliament in 1998. The three areas of reform that we are supporting
are: -
Strengthening the committee system; -
Improving the legislative process; and -
Increasing interaction
with civil society. Local Governance
Program The Local Governance Program (LGP) facilitates dialogue
between local authorities (i.e., municipalities, town councils and rural district
councils) and citizens. Lessons from a pilot activity conducted between 2001 and
2002 informed the design and implementation of the LGP, which started in January
2003, and is scheduled to run until September 2005. Beneficiaries Institutional
beneficiaries are Zimbabwean civil society organizations, the Parliament of Zimbabwe
and local authorities. As each improves its ability to better receive and consider
the ideas of Zimbabwean citizens, the country will benefit from more responsive
and accountable government institutions. At the same time, CSOs will become more
representative and better able to represent their member interests. Local
Partners The local partners for this program are: Parliament of Zimbabwe,
Zimbabwean CSOs and selected local authorities. Implementation
Partners Three US institutions based in Zimbabwe, State University of
New York (Albany), Pact, Inc., and the Urban Institute have signed agreements
to manage the technical inputs supporting the strategic objective. Requests
for Applications (RFAs) are publicly issued for proposals from Zimbabwean CSOs.
Small grants are issued to successful applicants. Grantees can also draw on the
technical support of PACT Inc. on advocacy strategies, management, etc. Back
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