EU, KAS launch multi-million dollar project
Focus on empowering CSOs, women, youth and marginalised communities
The European Union (EU) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) announced the commencement of the Empowering CSOs, Women, Youth, and Marginalised Communities as Equal Partners in Democracy (ECSO) project.This transformative initiative, co-funded by the EU and KAS, aligns with the joint commitment of the EU and Namibia to enhance the participation of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in governance and development issues.
The ECSO project, spanning 36 months from July 2023 to June 2026, has a budget of around N$15 million, with equal contributions from the EU and the KAS. Implementation will be spearheaded by the latter, with support from Women’s Action for Development (WAD).
Focusing on the regions of //Kharas, Kunene and Erongo where CSOs predominantly address gender dynamics, youth empowerment and the concerns of marginalised communities, ECSO aims to strengthen these organisations through two core components, namely capacity building and advocacy activities.
These components have been identified as pivotal areas for civil society organisations striving for sustainability and impactful community change.
Building on the success of two prior EU and KAS-supported projects, ECSO is designed to leverage existing structures.
EU Ambassador to Namibia, H.E. Ana Beatriz Martins emphasised the significance of strengthening advocacy skills, particularly for youth and marginalised communities. “This project is intended to equip CSOs with the skills to advocate and complement the government’s efforts in achieving the goals outlined in Vision 2030 for the Namibian people.”
Despite Namibia’s progressive laws and policies in many civil rights areas, its commitment is hampered by often patriarchal structures, harmful gender practices and high levels of gender-based violence.