For a Strong Civil Society
In our project Connect we are strengthening the capacities and conditions of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) so that they can act again more freely and that development goals can be achieved effectively and sustainably.
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Project NameConnect – Capacity Development and Networking to Enhance Civil Society in Lao PDR
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Project Phase2017 to 2021
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FundingThis project is financed by the European Commission.
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Thematic focusAdvocacy
This project was completed in 2022.
The operating space for Lao CSOs has been shrinking since 2012, with increased restrictions, limited learning and networking space, and few opportunities for CSOs to engage in meaningful and participatory dialogue with the government. This has resulted in a lack of citizen inclusion in service planning and delivery, heightening the vulnerability of Laos’ most marginalized groups.
In cooperation with 'Cord' (in the lead) and our partner organizations 'Participatory Development Training Centre' (PADETC), 'Learning for Development Association' (LDA) and the NGO-Network, we provide space for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue and service delivery to Laos’ most disadvantaged communities.
We connect actions with networks (i.e. the Lao Youth Network, Lao Farmers’ Network, SUN CSA and INGO Network) to enhance the channels through which CSOs’ work can be leveraged to support Laos’ national development goals more effectively.
Connect strengthens the operational, managerial and technical capacity of CSOs, enabling them to recognize and respond to development needs (particularly those pertaining to education and nutrition) which affect marginalized groups. Furthermore, our CSO-LA project strengthens the confidence of CSOs and enlarges the space in which they can influence policy at the local and national level.
The project is financed by the European Commisson. More information about the Delegation of the European Union to Lao PDR you can find here.
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