Skip to main content

promote

LESSON

Lesson Learned: Enabling National Initiatives to Take Democracy Beyond Elections

To enhance sustainability and support the establishment of nascent deliberative democracy networks at country or regional level, partner selection is crucial as they should be the actors to take the approach forward in the aftermath of the project. In the selection of countries to pilot Citizen Assembly projects, primary consideration should be given to the existence of these organizations and their willingness, capacity and interest to advance the issue, as well as the wider attitude towards deliberative democracy models.

Project Partner
The newDemocracy Foundation
Project Description

Making democracies more inclusive requires bold and innovative reforms to bring the young, the poor, and minorities into the political system. Some countries have piloted initiatives for assemblies on specific issues where members are not nominated by political parties but chosen at random for a limited term to represent all sectors of society, to prevent the formation of self-serving and self-perpetuating political classes disconnected from their electorates. The project aims to enable more countries to develop initiatives of this kind. It will develop and distribute a handbook on ‘Democracy Beyond Elections’ designed to show how nations at various levels of development can apply the principles of representation and deliberation in ways that are appropriate to their economic and educational circumstances. The project will fund three pilot projects to further the demonstration effect and produce a documentary based on one of these to demonstrate how deliberative democracy can work in practice. Among citizens, the project will work to build the sense that ordinary people are involved in making decisions that affect them, and thus to promote trust in Government. Among elected representatives, the project will work to stimulate a greater openness to complementary democratic models in which citizens explore and recommend policy solutions on key issues.

Evaluation Date
March 2025
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Raising the Social and Political Profile of Youth in Mozambique

Community radio debates have proven to be a powerful tool for amplifying the voices of youth within social and political spheres. In this project, radio debates, led by project beneficiaries, drew significant audience engagement, as indicated by the influx of phone calls received during broadcasts. This interaction facilitated meaningful dialogue among youth and boosted the self-confidence of project beneficiaries.

UDF-18-794-MOZ
Project Partner
Associação Gender Links Moçambique
Project Description
The project supports young people's participation in local and national issues by developing youth councils and youth councilor training workshops. Young people will have their voices heard on key social and political platforms, and will be better represented at the center of local and national policies and decision-making, within and outside selected councils. Project activities incorporate actions in response to the Covid-19 crisis as it impacts youth.
Evaluation Date
April 2024
Country
LESSON

Lesson Learned: Strengthening Grassroots Women’s Groups to Promote and Protect Civic Space in Uganda

Empowering women when it comes to realizing their rights, not just learning about them, requires the support of men – both in their family and in the community at-large – and they should be brought on board to champion wider societal transformation around gender.
Project Partner
All in One Womens Association
Project Description
The project goal is to empower 6,000 women by raising awareness of their gender specific rights, promoting women’s political participation, and addressing all forms of injustices that affect women’s wellbeing; strengthen the capacity of 100 unregistered women’s groups to become registered under the NGOs Act 2016; and support 100 registered women’s groups in advocating, promoting and protecting civic space in Uganda. Project activities will incorporate actions in response to the Covid-19 crisis, as it impacts women, including gender-based violence as well as social and economic pressures.
Evaluation Date
July 2023
Country