$1.15 million to strengthen Tonga’s Civil Society [1]
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - 19:51
Six Civil Society Organisations received grant funding from the European Union in a $1.15 million-pa’anga allocation to strengthen their work in Tonga.
Today's signing of the grant contracts under the 11th European Development Fund through the Technical Cooperation Facility and Support to Civil Society Program (TECCSO) was held in Nuku’alofa.
The Civil Society Forum of Tonga was granted $245,000 pa’anga to support their project "Enhancing the engagement of CSOs in the policy and budget processes and building their capacity in research and data collection within the focal areas of Gender, Disability, Youth and Energy".
The Growers Federation Tonga Inc. received $239,118 pa'anga to support their project "Policy Dialogue Between the Growers Federation of Tonga and the Government of Tonga".
The Tonga Community Development Trust was granted $200,000 pa'anga to support their project "Strengthening Community Awareness on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Tonga".
The Tonga Health Promotion Foundation was granted $124,685 pa'anga to support their project "Tonga Health Non-Communicable Disease Intervention'.
Live and Learn Tonga was granted $250,000 pa'anga towards their project "Agents for Change" to build the capacity and capability of the youth of Tonga to enable them to lead, inform and advocate on issues related to climate change.
In addition, a direct award of $25,536 was also given to Ma’a Fafine moe Famili to conduct legal literacy training on areas related to gender equality and human rights in the community.
These six initiatives will be implemented within the next two years.
The Tongan Government and European Union (EU) recognised the importance of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) as key partners to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals to these keys areas of good governance, gender equality, renewable energy awareness, youth empowerment and non-communicable diseases.
Minister for Finance, Hon. Tevita Lavemaau said Government is grateful to the EU for its financial assistance.
"It is key to empower civil society actors to deliver effectively in our communities and to complement government's overall development effort for the well-being of our people especially during this time of uncertainties."
In addition, he acknowledged EU's continuous financial support and encouraged CSO's to make good use of the priviledges that come with the grants.
"There is a saying among donors, once you are able to manage EU’s stringent and cumbersome requirements you can manage any donor’s funds.”
HE Sujiro Seam, the EU Ambassador for the Pacific, who could not join the event due to current travel restrictions, sent a message.
He said the partnership between Tonga and the EU is based on the shared values of democracy on good governance, the common priorities reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals and a joint commitment to Civil Society and Youth Organizations.
"This event demonstrates our strong collaboration oncommon priorities and our joint effort to stimulate and expand the space for dialogue and cooperation on matters of public interest."
The list of grantees were selected in an open and transparent process after it was launched by the Government and EU in September 2019.