Projects

Short Description:

Overall goal

The overall objective is to contribute to the consolidation of democracy in Mozambique by supporting the fairness, transparency and credibility of the electoral processes and strengthening the capacities of the elected representatives and democratic institutions with a gender-oriented approach. This programme contributes primarily to the progressive achievement of SDG 16 but also promotes progress towards Goal 5.

Expected results

1. Component 1- Domestic Observation

1.1. Increased number of qualified election observers with improved gender balance

1.2. Alternative mechanisms for domestic observation are established

1.3. Increased number of qualified reporters and media

1.4. Multi-stakeholder forums are facilitated

2. Component 2- Civic/voter education

2.1. Raising awareness programmes and tools, gender-oriented, to foster democratic participation are developed

2.2. Media and political parties are trained and equipped with a manual on elections, human and civil rights, including on the needs of the youth and vulnerable groups of electorate, and on gender mainstreaming

2.3. Electoral management bodies are trained and provided with learning, methodological and public information and communication tools

2.4. Youth are trained and supported with learning material

3. Component 3- Electoral legal reforms

3.1. The public has access to the electoral legislation in force

3.2. Inclusive round-tables and debates on the electoral legislation are supported

3.3. Legal-comparative analysis is available

3.4. Proposals for amendments and new regulations including gender-sensitive electoral legislation are available

4. Component 4 - Capacity building of newly elected representatives and their institutions/bodies

4.1. Elected representatives (male and female) are trained on their role with specific attention to promotion of gender equality

4.2. Parliamentarian committees are trained and equipped with guides on monitoring of the government and reporting and support for monitoring missions is provided

4.3. National institutions are trained to give support to the elected representatives

4.4. A methodology and support for launching a continuous dialogue for consolidation of democracy, gender equality and interaction between the elected bodies, civil society organisations and media is promoted

Target group / Beneficiaries

The project covers the Republic of Mozambique. Local elections will take place in 53 municipalities, out of 150 districts, mobilising around 8 million of potential voters.

The EU Delegation in Mozambique and the National Authorising Officer services will be involved in the implementation of the programme. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) will manage, monitor and supervise the implementation of the activities carried out by the implementers and will act as Secretariat.

Activities

There are four interlinked components:

1) Domestic observation: Support to appropriate domestic observation and dissemination of information to guarantee fairness and credibility of electoral processes, support of national/local organisations active in electoral observation;

2) Civic/voter education: funding activities planned by Electoral Management Bodies and civil society associations to foster citizens' participation, particularly women's inclusion and inclusion of gender issues in parties' programmes;

3) Electoral legislation reform: provide technical assistance and mechanisms to support a broadly accepted reform;

4) Capacity building of newly-elected representatives and their institutions/bodies: reinforcement of capacities of the newly elected members of parliament at central, provincial and municipal level; reinforcing the capacities of institutions/bodies giving support to the elected.

Context

Mozambique is confronted with the double challenge of an acute economic crisis and internal political conflict. On the political side, the current situation is linked with the post-electoral crisis of 2014. Distrust in the electoral authorities increased from 17% in 2005 to 38% in 2015 and demand for democracy decreased by 16% between 2012 and 2015.

Municipal and general elections are scheduled to take place in 2018 and 2019. Municipal elections have already been announced for October 2018 and presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections are expected in October 2019. These upcoming elections will have a crucial role in the country's stability and reconciliation, together with the developments in the ongoing peace process. Credible and accepted electoral results are crucial to consolidate peace and democracy.