PROJECT
Supporting civic participation of grassroots communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Supporting civic participation of grassroots communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The project’s strategic design took into account lessons learned from a previous project, which on a smaller scale, had been funded by the European Union. The project addressed a proven capacity building need, and appropriately also involved local politicians from a range of parties.
Project Name
Project Partner
Organisation Paix, Unité, Réconciliation, Reconstruction
Project Description
The objective of the project was to enhance citizens’ access and involvement in local governance in 50 communities in Kinshasa and Maniema Provinces. According to the grantee’s analysis elections were a time of apparent democracy, because neither the administration nor elected officials were actually accountable to citizens for their actions. Therefore, the project aimed to raise awareness among grassroots communities about the importance of participating in local governance; to involve grassroots communities in identifying information, training and support needs for participatory governance; and to document and learn from local experience in relation to participatory governance.
The project’s relevance, however, was limited as its scale of action was too small to enhance democratic culture at the level of entire communities, as suggested by the grantee; and it failed to highlight the need for women’s participation in governance.
Report
Evaluation Date
June 2013
Theme
Country
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Supporting civic participation of grassroots communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Public debates were broadcast on radio and TV enhancing the visibility of citizens’ access and participation beyond the advocacy originally planned.
Project Name
Project Partner
Organisation Paix, Unité, Réconciliation, Reconstruction
Project Description
The objective of the project was to enhance citizens’ access and involvement in local governance in 50 communities in Kinshasa and Maniema Provinces. According to the grantee’s analysis elections were a time of apparent democracy, because neither the administration nor elected officials were actually accountable to citizens for their actions. Therefore, the project aimed to raise awareness among grassroots communities about the importance of participating in local governance; to involve grassroots communities in identifying information, training and support needs for participatory governance; and to document and learn from local experience in relation to participatory governance.
The project’s relevance, however, was limited as its scale of action was too small to enhance democratic culture at the level of entire communities, as suggested by the grantee; and it failed to highlight the need for women’s participation in governance.
Report
Evaluation Date
June 2013
Theme
Country
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Supporting civic participation of grassroots communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The efficient use of resources was complemented by good project management. The grantee’s project team was competent and motivated, and appropriately supervised by the grantee’s President, who was himself answerable to the organization’s board.
Project Name
Project Partner
Organisation Paix, Unité, Réconciliation, Reconstruction
Project Description
The objective of the project was to enhance citizens’ access and involvement in local governance in 50 communities in Kinshasa and Maniema Provinces. According to the grantee’s analysis elections were a time of apparent democracy, because neither the administration nor elected officials were actually accountable to citizens for their actions. Therefore, the project aimed to raise awareness among grassroots communities about the importance of participating in local governance; to involve grassroots communities in identifying information, training and support needs for participatory governance; and to document and learn from local experience in relation to participatory governance.
The project’s relevance, however, was limited as its scale of action was too small to enhance democratic culture at the level of entire communities, as suggested by the grantee; and it failed to highlight the need for women’s participation in governance.
Report
Evaluation Date
June 2013
Theme
Country
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Supporting civic participation of grassroots communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Members of the project’s Democratic Action Clubs (DACs) have more awareness of their rights and are more likely to identify future abuses of power by the administration. The project also resulted in participants being better informed about legal remedies available to them. Elected officials who took part in public debates noted that some DAC members had boldly and publicly criticized police violence and corruption.
Project Name
Project Partner
Organisation Paix, Unité, Réconciliation, Reconstruction
Project Description
The objective of the project was to enhance citizens’ access and involvement in local governance in 50 communities in Kinshasa and Maniema Provinces. According to the grantee’s analysis elections were a time of apparent democracy, because neither the administration nor elected officials were actually accountable to citizens for their actions. Therefore, the project aimed to raise awareness among grassroots communities about the importance of participating in local governance; to involve grassroots communities in identifying information, training and support needs for participatory governance; and to document and learn from local experience in relation to participatory governance.
The project’s relevance, however, was limited as its scale of action was too small to enhance democratic culture at the level of entire communities, as suggested by the grantee; and it failed to highlight the need for women’s participation in governance.
Report
Evaluation Date
June 2013
Theme
Country
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Supporting civic participation of grassroots communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Whereas many women joined the project’s newly established Democratic Action Clubs (DACs), few of them were among DAC coordinators and none among DAC leaders. The grantee was aware of this issue, which it said had cultural roots. However, the project itself did not address this problem proactively – it could have for instance required DACs to elect an equal number of men and women coordinators.
Project Name
Project Partner
Organisation Paix, Unité, Réconciliation, Reconstruction
Project Description
The objective of the project was to enhance citizens’ access and involvement in local governance in 50 communities in Kinshasa and Maniema Provinces. According to the grantee’s analysis elections were a time of apparent democracy, because neither the administration nor elected officials were actually accountable to citizens for their actions. Therefore, the project aimed to raise awareness among grassroots communities about the importance of participating in local governance; to involve grassroots communities in identifying information, training and support needs for participatory governance; and to document and learn from local experience in relation to participatory governance.
The project’s relevance, however, was limited as its scale of action was too small to enhance democratic culture at the level of entire communities, as suggested by the grantee; and it failed to highlight the need for women’s participation in governance.
Report
Evaluation Date
June 2013
Theme
Country
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Supporting civic participation of grassroots communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Gender issues were not addressed substantially during the training sessions, though there were general references to the need for women to play a greater role in governance in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The grantee’s analysis of the country’s democratic deficit had also failed to identify women’s participation in political decision-making processes.
Project Name
Project Partner
Organisation Paix, Unité, Réconciliation, Reconstruction
Project Description
The objective of the project was to enhance citizens’ access and involvement in local governance in 50 communities in Kinshasa and Maniema Provinces. According to the grantee’s analysis elections were a time of apparent democracy, because neither the administration nor elected officials were actually accountable to citizens for their actions. Therefore, the project aimed to raise awareness among grassroots communities about the importance of participating in local governance; to involve grassroots communities in identifying information, training and support needs for participatory governance; and to document and learn from local experience in relation to participatory governance.
The project’s relevance, however, was limited as its scale of action was too small to enhance democratic culture at the level of entire communities, as suggested by the grantee; and it failed to highlight the need for women’s participation in governance.
Report
Evaluation Date
June 2013
Theme
Country
LESSON
Lesson Learned: Supporting civic participation of grassroots communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The training sessions for grass-roots trainers were largely one-offs. The failure to build on these sessions made it difficult to assess the extent to which participants had understood and were able to use the knowledge imparted to them. The same applies to the guided tours to the offices of local administrations, and therefore it is unclear if participants acquired a sufficient understanding of administrative processes to conduct lobbying or other activities.
Project Name
Project Partner
Organisation Paix, Unité, Réconciliation, Reconstruction
Project Description
The objective of the project was to enhance citizens’ access and involvement in local governance in 50 communities in Kinshasa and Maniema Provinces. According to the grantee’s analysis elections were a time of apparent democracy, because neither the administration nor elected officials were actually accountable to citizens for their actions. Therefore, the project aimed to raise awareness among grassroots communities about the importance of participating in local governance; to involve grassroots communities in identifying information, training and support needs for participatory governance; and to document and learn from local experience in relation to participatory governance.
The project’s relevance, however, was limited as its scale of action was too small to enhance democratic culture at the level of entire communities, as suggested by the grantee; and it failed to highlight the need for women’s participation in governance.
Report
Evaluation Date
June 2013
Theme
Country