Promoting the Exercise of Fundamental Democratic Rights in Tajikistan

With the support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland EFCA implements the current program with an overall objective to improve the exercise of fundamental democratic rights and electoral processes at a local self-government level in 15 communities in Fayzabad, Nosiri Khisrav and Khuroson districts. EFCA and partners work closely with local self-governments, local councils, civil society activists and other community members to increase their knowledge and skills on exercising fundamental democratic rights.

EFCA and partners provide training and consultation to community members to increase the number of citizens exercising their rights with regard to voting, standing and campaigning for council elections, accessing information, monitoring service delivery, budget development and monitoring budget implementation.

• Specific objectives

  Introduce a model of citizen participation in promoting government accountability and transparency at the local level in Tajikistan

  Increase capacity of citizens to exercise their democratic rights

  Increase opportunities for citizens to exercise their democratic rights

  Promotion of good practice in promotion of democratic rights

• Activities

  Baseline and final assessments

  Training and consultation for citizens

  Training and consultation for LSGs and local councils

  Facilitation of opportunities for expression and association

  Training for journalists, activists, businesses and NGOs

  Public relations activities

  Good practice sharing meetings

  Capacity building of resource centres

• Expected Outcomes

  Tajik citizens actively participate in local governance

  Increased media coverage of instances where people are constructively engaged in governance

• Duration

  2010 – 2011