EU Project: “Enhancing the legal framework of Associations in the Arab World through national dialogue and empowerment of civil society”

For more information visit the project’s website.

The project is funded by the EU and managed by Friedrich Naumann Foundation- Jordan

Objectives of the Project:

The project aims at strengthening the rule of law and democratic process through creation of model laws governing civil society (NGOs, political parties, labour unions) that adhere to international standards and are promoted through Arab official bodies and networks as reform models from inside.

It aims at building partnership between CSOs and Arab governments on a national and regional level through promotion of an active ongoing dialogue focussing on the 3 model laws mentioned above.

In addition, it aims at improving CSOs performance, image and relations with the government and with their constituencies through the adoption of internal good governance’s principles and a Code of Conduct and an Arab Charter on Democratic Practices.

The specific objective is to strengthen the foundations of democratic development through new coalition between government and CSOs (including all ideological and political forces that adhere to democratic practices) as partners in development.

On the national level, the project mainly targets political parties, labour unions, research centres, NGOs and government institutions, including moderate Islamic groups that play a leading role in society. On the regional level the project will involve Arab CSOs, Arab League institutions, Arab Parliament, NGO networks and research institutions; the local and regional media – especially the well-known satellite stations -; international organisations such as the International Federation of Human Rights IFHR, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, the International Labour Organisation ILO and the UNDP/ POGAR.

Duration of the project:

36 months.

Countries Covered:

Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria with an outreach to Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.