Tag: Funding
Student's experience with foreign affairs training
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.
Foreign Affairs Training Program
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.
Support to human rights defenders and families of political prisoners
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.
Capacity Building of Armenian Advocacy (NGO Center)
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.
Asparez Journalist Club
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.
Civil-Political Society Platform on constitutional reform
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.
Support to victims of the 2008 political violence
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.