The European Union (EU) on Thursday January 18 presented three new projects, funded to the tune of 900,000 euros, to strengthen Civil society, participation processes and public debates, good governance, and sustainable tourism in São Tomé and Príncipe.
Each selected project will receive funding of 300,000 euros and will be implemented by Portuguese Non-Governmental Development Organizations (NGDOs) in partnership with São Toméan Civil society organizations.
“The aim is to fund and strengthen civil society associations and networks of civil society associations in the processes of participation and public debate, governance at the local level, control, dialogue, and advocacy with national institutions, and to strengthen the intervention capacities of these civil society organizations,” said the representative of the EU delegation, Sónia Chura.
The Association for Cooperation Among Peoples (ACEP), in partnership with the Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations of São Tomé and Príncipe (FONG-STP), the Santomean Association of Women Lawyers, and the Association of Santomean Journalists, will develop the project “Better Governance, More Rights, More Citizenship” in the area of civic participation and the strengthening of civil society organizations (CSOs) and their networks.
“This project, without giving a perfect answer to the situation, is a commitment to the essential priorities of the European Union; it is aligned with the goals and values of the European Union to promote solid governance, inalienable rights, and participatory citizenship,” underlined the EU representative. Sónia Chura added that “by committing to this project, the European Union hopes not only to improve the quality of governance but also to strengthen individual and collective rights, thus cultivating a fairer and more inclusive society” in São Tomé and Príncipe.