Through the initiative launched in June 2010 by EPD and EEF under the
European Partnership Fair for Civil Society Organizations in Moldova came to a
successful conclusion this week. From the 139 projects that were submitted 7
projects were selected to be funded by the Basket Fund. These projects
underlined the EU-Moldova sustainable partnership to allow for the exchange of
ideas and the support and strengthening of Moldova's transition to democracy.
The Partnership Fair that took place in Moldova
on the 15 and 16 of June, organized by the European Partnership for Democracy,
the East European Foundation and "Promolex" organization, had the positive
outcome that 7 of the most original and innovative projects were selected for
funding under the Basket Fund. These projects ranged from a cleaner environment
to more transparency to social youth activism. This could not have been
possible without the Basket Fund's financial supporters : the EEF, National
Endowment for Democracy (NED) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Czech
Republic. More information on www.partnershipfair.eu
The European Partnership Fair for Civil Society Organizations in Moldova took place for the first time in Chisinau, on June 15-16 2010. The event was organized by EPD in cooperation with East Europe Foundation (EEF) and „Promo-LEX" Association. More information.
Try not to be self-seeking". That is the phrase that touched my heart when I was in the advanced English class in Taunggyi, the capital of Southern Shan State. My teacher, who was a deep thinker and well educated person, showed me the way towards working for the sake of our society. At that time I was trying to acquire English skills in order to study abroad and toil away in foreign countries. But as soon as I heard those words, I changed my mind. And some of my friends who were already in the opposition movement urged me to join them.
The program was organized by the National Council of the Union of Burma - a coalition of Burmese organizations along the Thai-Burmese borders. The main aim of the program was to train political activists from Burma working in organisations along the border in human rights, democracy, international politics, and foreign affairs work so they would be able to effectively promote the Burmese democracy movement and human rights within their communities and abroad.
In Burma, the EPD has focused on assisting defenders of human rights and families of the victims of political violence. Working with Czech partner People in Need, the EPD has supported two Burmese organizations, based on the Thai-Burma border.
This EPD-supported project comprised three partner organizations, the "NGO Center" Civil Society Development Organization, the Civic Development and Partnership Foundation (CDPF), and the "Partnership and Teaching" (GUM) NGO. The project partners were pursuing of a mission of "capacity-building of advocacy-oriented Armenian NGOs to increase dialogue among civil society and governmental bodies." The main strategy of the project was to improve the capacity-building of selected civil society organizations (CSOs) through the institutionalization of advocacy capacities, the establishment of advocacy resource centers, the launch of a dialogue among CSOs and the government, and an "experience exchange" between local CSOs with European organizations.
This project aimed at raising awareness of the people living in 12 cities of Shirak, Lori and Tavush regions (marzes), the officials of the institutions of the public, community and state importance, the lawyers, the workers of judicial system, the journalists working in the above mentioned territories and NGOs about the content of the Freedom of Information law and about the responsibilities and rights that they gain in the framework of this law. The main goal of the project was that all the officials recognize their responsibilities towards the population in the frames provided by this law, be available for the people and become more accountable towards the society.
Since the implementation of the power-sharing deal, EPD has focused on
supporting the interface between the new inclusive government and civil
society. Strengthening the interface between politicians and civil
society is a niche for the EPD work, matching its constituent
organisations. The EPD focuses with a group of Zimbabwean NGOs on meeting the urgent
need to supply impartial information to the Zimbabwean People about the
constitutional process to ensure their meaningful participation, and
allow them to make their own choices to be reflected in the new
constitution.
In Zimbabwe, the EPD has been supporting victims of the 2008 electoral violence to express European solidarity with Zimbabwean people who had to pay a high price working for a more democratic Zimbabwe. Through its local partner organisations, EPD provided support for widows of democracy activists.
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