Angola Civil Society Strengthening Project

Angola Project Brief (28kb)

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As a result of World Learning's successful implementation of a long-term task order contracted by USAID/Angola under the Strengthening Civil Society Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQC) awarded by USAID's Center for Democracy and Governance, World Learning was awarded in 1999 the Democracy and Governance I (DG I) project. While this project recently ended, a follow-on project, Democracy and Governance II (DG II) began in September 2000 and will conclude in 2003.

In partnership with USAID, World Learning provided assistance to independent civil society organizations (CSOs) through training, technical assistance, and small grants geared to improve the capacity of indigenous CSOs and the media to promote the participation of civil society in the democratization process. It also helped NGOs and the media advocate for the adoption and consolidation of democratic governance reforms. Special emphasis was placed on the role of civil society in the promotion and protection of human rights, especially the rights of women and children. The project worked intensely with 16 NGO partners in the provinces of Luanda, Huila, Benguela, Bie, and Huambo. NGO training topics included human rights advocacy, human rights education, and human rights networking. In addition, under the Cooperative Agreement, the province of Cabinda was added to the project and a series of human rights manuals was developed. The project's accomplishments included the solicitation of children's input for a law document on children's rights, and a training activity that resulted in the release of 170 illegally-detained prisoners in two provinces and in Luanda.

Angola Civil Society Strengthening Project

The current phase has a broader focus on building civil society coalitions in a variety of sectors. As currently implemented, the program has two components. One component, the Information and Communications Program, includes activities to support radio and print media as well as institute a human rights curriculum in the schools. The second component, the Coalition and Advocacy in Civil Society Program, stresses the formation of coalitions and networks to address the need to promote positive social and policy change across sectors. Working in several sectors of particular importance to Angolan society agriculture and employment; health and HIV/AIDS; and women's empowerment the World Learning approach provides funding and expert assistance (Training and Technical Assistance) to help form and maintain advocacy coalitions involving CSOs, the media, and the business and public sectors. Thus far, five coalitions have been formed: children's education rights, land rights, HIV/AIDS, homeless, and internally displaced women's rights.

Partners: USAID
Angolan NGOs
Project: IQC Task Order, 1996-1999
Cooperative Agreements, 1999-2003
Angola

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