[{"bbox": [96, 153, 1136, 439], "category": "Text", "text": "practices between civil society and local authorities, especially on evidence-based monitoring of public policies implementation and social service delivery (e.g. on education, social protection, health, natural resources). Support provided to decentralised participatory governance mechanisms (*Conselhos Consultivos* and *Observatórios de Desenvolvimento*, as established by law) has contributed to increase civil society representativeness and awareness on local governance and development processes. However, weaknesses still persist for a full and qualified engagement of civil society in democratic governance and for a conducive and informed collaboration with public authorities. The lack of proper structured dialogue among actors involved in democratic governance, along with the fact that several interventions funded by different development partners (including the EU) were not sufficiently coordinated also represented a missed opportunity for maximising the potential for the achievement of results and for increasing aid effectiveness."}, {"bbox": [96, 455, 1136, 770], "category": "Text", "text": "The above-mentioned assessment identified the **main problem** to be addressed as the insufficient engagement of citizens and CSOs in democratic participation and accountability processes, with the **effect** that inclusive and participatory democracy in Mozambique still need to be strengthened. Three **main causes** were identified as contributing to this problem: 1) insufficient mutual recognition, trust and understanding among actors involved in participatory and representative democracy, limiting dialogue and an enabling environment; 2) Insufficient capacity of citizens, civil society organisations and local authorities to participate in local governance processes, namely on priority public policies and areas of EU engagement in Mozambique (i.e. environment, climate action, youth, education, PFM, gender equality and women empowerment); 3) Weak practice and culture of partnership and collaboration between civil society and local authorities on participatory planning, implementation, public service delivery, evidence-based monitoring and reporting to implement the outcomes of civil participation in decision-making processes."}, {"bbox": [96, 786, 1136, 1045], "category": "Text", "text": "Mozambique has ratified a number of international and regional instruments aimed at promoting gender equality and women's rights, namely: the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) (ratified in 1993); the Declaration of Beijing (ratified in 1995), the Optional Protocol to the African Charter on Human Rights and the Rights of Women (ratified in 2005). Mozambique is also a State Party of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, (CRPD) having completed ratification in 2012. However, lack of enforcement, implementation and monitoring remains the key challenge. Women and girls are often unaware of their rights, and the judicial system is not yet prepared to deal with a gender-sensitive justice and facilitate access to justice for women. This is partly explained by the idea that \"gender\" is about women and not about equal rights and opportunities and equal sharing of power between men and women)⁴."}, {"bbox": [96, 1062, 1136, 1120], "category": "Text", "text": "Identification of main stakeholders and corresponding institutional and/or organisational issues (mandates, potential roles, and capacities) to be covered by the action:"}, {"bbox": [96, 1136, 264, 1164], "category": "Text", "text": "As Right holders:"}, {"bbox": [96, 1181, 1136, 1467], "category": "Text", "text": "The main stakeholders of Cidadania Activa are citizens and CSOs⁵, including thematic and advocacy platforms, community-based organisations, human rights activists and associations, women's organisations and/or working on gender equality and women's empowerment, organisations of persons with disabilities, the media, etc. CSOs play a key function in a democratic system articulating citizens’ concerns. They are active in the public arena, engaging in initiatives to further participatory democracy, and embody a growing demand for transparent and accountable governance. Although it is the State that carries the main responsibility for development and democratic governance, synergies between the public authorities and CSOs can help overcome challenges related to poverty, inequalities, social exclusion and unsustainable development. Thus, CSOs’ participation in policy processes is key to ensuring inclusive and effective policies. The Roadmap linked with the CSO mapping study and the PAANE II assessment recognised the improving capacities of CSOs, but also the existing weaknesses for"}, {"bbox": [85, 1536, 548, 1560], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁴ Country Level Implementing Plan Mozambique 2021-2025."}, {"bbox": [85, 1558, 1144, 1647], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁵ In line with the definition on the 2012 Communication from the Commission on “The roots of democracy and sustainable development: Europe's engagement with Civil Society in external relations”: they include membership-based, cause-based and service-oriented CSOs. Among them, community-based organisations, non-governmental organisations, faith-based organisations, foundations, research institutions, Gender and LGBT organisations, cooperatives, professional and business associations, and the not-for-profit media."}, {"bbox": [1038, 1682, 1143, 1707], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 6 of 21"}]