Lessons

The project’s objective was to enhance the quality of rural women’s political participation by raising their awareness of fundamental rights; the advantages of democracy and the importance of participation. The grantee aimed to mobilize and motivate rural women to actively participate in political life, and to organize them to take collective efforts on their own behalf.  Activities were targeted at both women and men in 680 communities in Sindh Province, Pakistan, and included data collection, participatory meetings, extensive media campaigns and social gatherings to stimulate community discussion, and the organization of local groups to promote and protect women’s rights. The project was relevant, given the fact that democratic participation in Pakistan, especially of women, was low. Underlying causes included the male-dominated social system, low awareness of fundamental freedoms and democratic rights, and a general lack of confidence in democratic processes.

The project “Assessing Democracy Assistance” was implemented by Fundación para las relaciones internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior (FRIDE) from 1 October 2009 to 30 September 2011. The project’s goals were to provide the first comprehensive assessment of global democracy assistance efforts based on the views and perceptions of local stakeholders and to ensure, through systematic dissemination and consultation among policy makers, opinion leaders, media and local stakeholders, the findings’ impact on future policy design. Whether the project succeeded in strengthening international commitment to democracy assistance and strengthening the quality of development assistance by improving the alignment between the supply and demand sides is difficult to judge, especially for a small, short-term intervention. However, evidence has been found that project results were broadly disseminated and cited among academics and practitioners worldwide. While the project did not provide capacity building and institution strengthening in the traditional sense, it did promote activities of a number of relatively young researchers, contributing to rejuvenating and strengthening the democracy community.

The project “Assessing Democracy Assistance” was implemented by Fundación para las relaciones internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior (FRIDE) from 1 October 2009 to 30 September 2011. The project’s goals were to provide the first comprehensive assessment of global democracy assistance efforts based on the views and perceptions of local stakeholders and to ensure, through systematic dissemination and consultation among policy makers, opinion leaders, media and local stakeholders, the findings’ impact on future policy design. Whether the project succeeded in strengthening international commitment to democracy assistance and strengthening the quality of development assistance by improving the alignment between the supply and demand sides is difficult to judge, especially for a small, short-term intervention. However, evidence has been found that project results were broadly disseminated and cited among academics and practitioners worldwide. While the project did not provide capacity building and institution strengthening in the traditional sense, it did promote activities of a number of relatively young researchers, contributing to rejuvenating and strengthening the democracy community.

The project “Assessing Democracy Assistance” was implemented by Fundación para las relaciones internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior (FRIDE) from 1 October 2009 to 30 September 2011. The project’s goals were to provide the first comprehensive assessment of global democracy assistance efforts based on the views and perceptions of local stakeholders and to ensure, through systematic dissemination and consultation among policy makers, opinion leaders, media and local stakeholders, the findings’ impact on future policy design. Whether the project succeeded in strengthening international commitment to democracy assistance and strengthening the quality of development assistance by improving the alignment between the supply and demand sides is difficult to judge, especially for a small, short-term intervention. However, evidence has been found that project results were broadly disseminated and cited among academics and practitioners worldwide. While the project did not provide capacity building and institution strengthening in the traditional sense, it did promote activities of a number of relatively young researchers, contributing to rejuvenating and strengthening the democracy community.

The project “Assessing Democracy Assistance” was implemented by Fundación para las relaciones internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior (FRIDE) from 1 October 2009 to 30 September 2011. The project’s goals were to provide the first comprehensive assessment of global democracy assistance efforts based on the views and perceptions of local stakeholders and to ensure, through systematic dissemination and consultation among policy makers, opinion leaders, media and local stakeholders, the findings’ impact on future policy design. Whether the project succeeded in strengthening international commitment to democracy assistance and strengthening the quality of development assistance by improving the alignment between the supply and demand sides is difficult to judge, especially for a small, short-term intervention. However, evidence has been found that project results were broadly disseminated and cited among academics and practitioners worldwide. While the project did not provide capacity building and institution strengthening in the traditional sense, it did promote activities of a number of relatively young researchers, contributing to rejuvenating and strengthening the democracy community.

The project “Assessing Democracy Assistance” was implemented by Fundación para las relaciones internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior (FRIDE) from 1 October 2009 to 30 September 2011. The project’s goals were to provide the first comprehensive assessment of global democracy assistance efforts based on the views and perceptions of local stakeholders and to ensure, through systematic dissemination and consultation among policy makers, opinion leaders, media and local stakeholders, the findings’ impact on future policy design. Whether the project succeeded in strengthening international commitment to democracy assistance and strengthening the quality of development assistance by improving the alignment between the supply and demand sides is difficult to judge, especially for a small, short-term intervention. However, evidence has been found that project results were broadly disseminated and cited among academics and practitioners worldwide. While the project did not provide capacity building and institution strengthening in the traditional sense, it did promote activities of a number of relatively young researchers, contributing to rejuvenating and strengthening the democracy community.

The project “Assessing Democracy Assistance” was implemented by Fundación para las relaciones internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior (FRIDE) from 1 October 2009 to 30 September 2011. The project’s goals were to provide the first comprehensive assessment of global democracy assistance efforts based on the views and perceptions of local stakeholders and to ensure, through systematic dissemination and consultation among policy makers, opinion leaders, media and local stakeholders, the findings’ impact on future policy design. Whether the project succeeded in strengthening international commitment to democracy assistance and strengthening the quality of development assistance by improving the alignment between the supply and demand sides is difficult to judge, especially for a small, short-term intervention. However, evidence has been found that project results were broadly disseminated and cited among academics and practitioners worldwide. While the project did not provide capacity building and institution strengthening in the traditional sense, it did promote activities of a number of relatively young researchers, contributing to rejuvenating and strengthening the democracy community.

The purpose of the project was to empower women and encourage them to participate as candidates in the local elections in Moldova in 2011. The project’s methodology, as well as the philosophy and psychology of learning guiding it, derived from a training programme begun by the women’s organization of the Norwegian Labour Party developed in the early 1990s. The grantee utilized the core methodology in earlier, smaller-scale projects since 2001-2002. The emphasis throughout the project process was on building self-confidence and providing guidance on how to overcome the barriers to women realizing their potential as actors in the political process. The approach adopted proved highly pertinent to those involved, not only in relation to public life, but also in enabling them to rethink their place in the workplace, in the family, and in everyday life.

The purpose of the project was to empower women and encourage them to participate as candidates in the local elections in Moldova in 2011. The project’s methodology, as well as the philosophy and psychology of learning guiding it, derived from a training programme begun by the women’s organization of the Norwegian Labour Party developed in the early 1990s. The grantee utilized the core methodology in earlier, smaller-scale projects since 2001-2002. The emphasis throughout the project process was on building self-confidence and providing guidance on how to overcome the barriers to women realizing their potential as actors in the political process. The approach adopted proved highly pertinent to those involved, not only in relation to public life, but also in enabling them to rethink their place in the workplace, in the family, and in everyday life.

The purpose of the project was to empower women and encourage them to participate as candidates in the local elections in Moldova in 2011. The project’s methodology, as well as the philosophy and psychology of learning guiding it, derived from a training programme begun by the women’s organization of the Norwegian Labour Party developed in the early 1990s. The grantee utilized the core methodology in earlier, smaller-scale projects since 2001-2002. The emphasis throughout the project process was on building self-confidence and providing guidance on how to overcome the barriers to women realizing their potential as actors in the political process. The approach adopted proved highly pertinent to those involved, not only in relation to public life, but also in enabling them to rethink their place in the workplace, in the family, and in everyday life.