Wednesday, in the pursuit of its commitment to promote a more democratic and equitable society, the European Union (EU) introduced 9 new projects to support local authorities and organizations of the Haitian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), funded to the tune of 5.6 million euros.

For the European Union, in fact, CSOs and local authorities are key strategic actors to strengthen local democracy and inject adynamics of inclusive sustainable development on the scale of the commune or department. Furthermore, the action of these actors contributes to democratic pluralism and greater efficiency of public policies.

These new support projects comes renew the partnership between the European Union and a group of local actors such as city halls, the Boards of Directors of Communal Sections (CASECs), of community organizations, associations and non-governmental organizations, all members or partners of this wider civil society, whose role is fundamental to consolidate democracy and promote sustainable socio-economic development.

Ces nouveaux projets issus de l'appel à propositions, lancé par la délégation de l'UE en 2014, permettront de mener un large éventail d'actions au sein de différentes communautés en Haïti.

These initiatives will among other things contribute, to improve local governance, stimulate dialogue between civil society and local authorities to improve the population's access to basic social services such as clean water and sanitation. Some other projects will focus on the development of management and intervention capacities of local communities in case of major natural hazards or will aim to strengthen the capacity of local authorities to play a greater role in local governance for development .

In making the announcement, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union in Haiti, Javier Niño Pérez, declared "Today, the increasing role of local authorities and civil society reflect a growing demand for a governance more transparent and accountable," adding "In recent years we have seen a renewed dynamism within Haitian CSOs, which are structured more and give themselves the means to intervene in the public space as an actor of development. It is this dynamic that the EU actively supports."

HL/ HaitiLibre