With the support of the Support Project for Parliament and Electoral Processes (PAPPE), implemented by the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) and funded by the European Union, the Consultation Framework for Civil Society Organisations (CCOSC) is organising a series of multi-stakeholder forums focusing on the role of civil society and communities in citizen participation and democratic governance in Chad.
Held in several major cities across the country, these forums bring together representatives of administrative and municipal authorities, decentralised government services, civil society organisations, the media and academia, as well as community and religious leaders. Representatives of women, young people and persons with disabilities also take part in the discussions.
This initiative responds to the need to strengthen structured spaces for dialogue between citizens, civil society and public institutions. It aims to improve access to information, institutional accountability, citizen oversight of public action and community participation in decision-making processes and the monitoring of public policies.
The discussions particularly focus on citizen advocacy, public accountability, participatory budget monitoring, community communication, citizen-led monitoring and evaluation, and mechanisms that promote more inclusive participation.
Particular attention is paid to the barriers faced by women, young people and persons with disabilities in participating in local governance. The approach adopted seeks to encourage more equitable participation, improve the representation of vulnerable groups and support their effective involvement in local consultation and decision-making mechanisms.
The discussions also enable participants to assess the specific realities of each city, identify the main challenges and good practices, and formulate recommendations tailored to the needs of local communities.
Following the forums, local roadmaps and action plans will be developed to clarify the commitments, roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders. These tools will help translate the discussions into concrete action and support the continuation of dialogue at the local level.
Through this initiative, CCOSC and its partners are contributing to stronger participatory, transparent, inclusive and accountable governance, based on dialogue, complementarity between stakeholders and the pursuit of sustainable solutions serving communities across Chad.
