[{"bbox": [134, 157, 1129, 236], "category": "List-item", "text": "- strengthened CSO capacities in promoting policy advocacy, transparency, accountability and participatory democracy in the areas of green growth, anti-corruption, environmental, social, governance and labour standards."}, {"bbox": [134, 249, 1133, 304], "category": "List-item", "text": "- strengthened CSOs' research and advocacy capacities for evidence-based policy analysis and participation in decision-making."}, {"bbox": [134, 315, 1133, 371], "category": "List-item", "text": "- increased citizen participation and engagement opportunities including of youth and women groups, in green economy policy development and implementation."}, {"bbox": [97, 407, 1134, 515], "category": "Text", "text": "By supporting CSO capacity and democratic participation processes in the green sector, the action will contribute directly to the implementation of the political objectives of the *Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials value chains and renewable hydrogen* which was signed by President Von Der Leyen and President Geingob in the margins of COP27 in November 2022."}, {"bbox": [97, 525, 1134, 741], "category": "Text", "text": "This MoU is an important milestone in the EU-Namibia relations and a key flagship of the **Global Gateway Strategy**. The development of the renewable energy, green hydrogen and critical raw materials value chains will help creating local value addition and jobs for young Namibians, while helping the decarbonisation of the economy and security of supplies for both parties. While the anticipated development gains stemming from the emergence of the green hydrogen industry are significant, CSOs are voicing concerns about the potential environmental, social and governance risks associated with the sheer scale of the planned investments. Segments of the society believe that production of green hydrogen or the exploitation of battery minerals for export, will not benefit directly the average Namibian, but on the contrary will deprive them from the wealth of the country's natural resources.²"}, {"bbox": [97, 750, 1134, 806], "category": "Text", "text": "The Government of Namibia, cognisant of the importance of engaging local stakeholders in the development of the new industry, is planning public consultations together with the private project developers."}, {"bbox": [97, 816, 1134, 925], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action intends to facilitate this democratic participation process and public dialogue, by strengthening the technical capacities of CSOs in fulfilling their advocacy and watchdog role in a relative new sector. The CSO's role will be key to empower citizens and bring expertise from the ground to the upper levels of government and to devise policies that meet people's needs and respond to their rights."}, {"bbox": [97, 935, 1134, 990], "category": "Text", "text": "The programme will facilitate a participatory process with the CSOs and local communities to ensure that their voices and concerns, especially of women and youth, are heard and considered in decision-making processes."}, {"bbox": [97, 1000, 1134, 1082], "category": "Text", "text": "Additionally, the programme will support measures aimed at strengthening access to information, transparency and accountability. Among the expected measures, the project will support Namibia's access to the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) as set out in the Harambee Prosperity Plan II."}, {"bbox": [97, 1092, 1134, 1148], "category": "Text", "text": "This programme will equally contribute to the implementation of the commitments on Trade and Sustainable Development contained in the EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement."}, {"bbox": [97, 1158, 1134, 1293], "category": "Text", "text": "By working on transparency and environmental governance, the Action will contribute directly to the implementation of one of the key pillars contained in the MoU, which alludes to ‘the cooperation to leverage Environmental, Social and Governance standards (ESG)’. The promotion and alignment to ESG international standards is, indeed, particularly relevant in the case of extractive industries, which are traditionally more prone to possible environmental fallout or untransparent business practices."}, {"bbox": [97, 1303, 1134, 1409], "category": "Text", "text": "The action is complementary to the programme “Good Governance and Gender Equality” funded under AAP 2022 as well as to the other Action “Accelerating the Energy Transition in Namibia” under AAP 2023. Support to CSOs and promotion of citizen engagement represents also an integral component of the **Team Europe Initiative** for “Inclusive Green Growth” in Namibia."}, {"bbox": [97, 1420, 1134, 1477], "category": "Text", "text": "The action will be implemented through grant calls for proposals to civil society organisations as well as through service contracts to conduct information campaigns, capacity building and training activities."}, {"bbox": [85, 1620, 910, 1646], "category": "Footnote", "text": "² One of the key outcomes of the CSO consultation held by the EU Delegation held in March 2023."}, {"bbox": [1038, 1682, 1143, 1707], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 4 of 20"}]