N$15 million project to empower civil society, women, youth and marginalized communities
The European Union (EU) and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) this week launched the “Empowering CSOs, Women, Youth, and Marginalized Communities as Equal Partners in Democracy” (ECSO) project, to enhance participation of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in governance and developmental issues.
This project, spanning 36 months from July 2023 to June 2026, marks a significant step for inclusivity and empowering marginalized communities.
With a substantial budget of N$15 million, the ECSO project is co-funded by the EU and the foundation to show their shared commitment to advance democratic values.
In a statement announcing the project, the foundation said it will drive implementation in partnership with Women’s Action for Development (WAD) targetting the Karas, Kunene and Erongo regions with issues such as gender dynamics, youth empowerment and giving a voice to marginalized communities.
The two core components of ECSO, namely capacity building and advocacy activities, are pivotal for civil society organizations’ sustainability and impact. Building on the success of two previous EU and KAS-supported projects, ECSO leverages existing structures to empower CSOs. It places a particular emphasis on strengthening advocacy skills, especially for youth and marginalized communities, to complement the government’s efforts in achieving the goals outlined in Vision 2030 for the Namibian people.
EU Ambassador to Namibia, H.E. Ana Beatriz Martins, highlighted the significance of this project in equipping CSOs with the skills necessary to advocate for change, to support government development strategies.
Despite Namibia’s progressive laws and policies in many civil rights areas, challenges persist due to often patriarchal structures, harmful gender practices, and high levels of gender violence.
“The ECSO project stands as a beacon for fostering a more inclusive and participatory democracy, where CSOs, women, youth, and marginalized communities play equal and vital roles in shaping the future of Namibia.”
Meanwhile, this ambitious initiative is poised to bring about positive and lasting change in the targeted regions, contributing to a more empowered and resilient society.
(FLTR) Ms Tatiana Sikwila, ECSO Project Officer; Ms. Sonja Poller, KAS Finance Manager; H.E. Ana Beatriz Martins, EU Ambassador to Namibia; H.E. Thorsten Hutter, German Ambassador to Namibia; Ms Tjova Fololindo, ECSO Project Assistant; Ms. Charlemaine Husselmann, ECSO Project Manager; Ms Natalie Russmann, KAS Resident Representative and Ms Silke Hofs, EU Cooperation Attaché.
