| Problem:
Nigerian civil society is a powerful voice for reform, but is doubly
challenged by a legacy of oppression and weak capacity. After several
years of positive performance, Nigeria failed to meet the civil liberties
MCC policy indicator in FY 2007. A vibrant and effective Nigerian
civil society is indispensable to reversing this negative trend and
achieving the long term goals of democratic consolidation and stability
in Nigeria. Resources will assist 131 membership organizations to
improve their internal self-governance and increase voice, advocacy
and engagement of citizens with government to combat corruption, promote
greater transparency in fiscal policy and extractive industries, and
ensure credible elections.
Approach:
USAID/Nigeria's civil society support program, “Advocacy,
Awareness and Civic Empowerment” (ADVANCE), implements activities
aimed at achieving three inter-related results: advocacy, awareness,
and civic empowerment. These activities are building civil society's
capacity to advocate for policy reform, demanding good governance
and building productive partnerships between civil society organizations
and Government of Nigeria institutions to fight against corruption.
ADVANCE works with national membership/professional CSOs and issue-based
coalitions in order to achieve broad engagement and maximum impact.
It also establishes partnership with historically marginalized groups
such as women, the disabled, People Living with HIV/AIDS and Islamic
groups.
Results:
- Increased engagement of USG Assisted CSOs in
advocacy and watchdog functions.
- Increased CSO political participation
- Increased participation and inclusion of traditionally
marginalized ethnic minority and/or religious minority groups
in democratic processes.
- Improved CSO internal organizational capacity.
- Enhanced engagement of civil society in the Nigeria
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.
Last Updated
on:
March 05, 2009
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