[{"bbox": [96, 152, 1164, 393], "category": "Text", "text": "they impact adversely on the various stages of project cycle and its management. The main challenge concerning the technical cooperation facility under the previous programming cycle (2014-2020) was represented by procurement delays which inhibited its optimal use. In order to overcome this challenge and reduce transactional costs related to multiple small contracts, the new cooperation facility will therefore be implemented in direct management and follow a \"fewer and bigger\" approach. The cooperation facility will also enable the EU to have a targeted and strategic communication on its priorities and programmes, following a \"whole-of-Delegation\" approach, in stark contrast with the historically piecemeal focus on project-related, partner-implemented communication - something that has kept the EU reasonably \"visible\" amongst a limited stakeholder audience, but has not enabled us to reach or engage public opinion to any real degree."}, {"bbox": [96, 417, 1164, 552], "category": "Text", "text": "As of December 2020, only 33.6% of indicators needed to monitor the SDGs from a gender perspective were available, with gaps in key areas, in particular: key labour market indicators, such as the unemployment rate and gender pay gaps. In addition, many areas – such as gender equality and poverty, physical and sexual harassment, women's access to assets (including land), and gender equality and the environment – lack comparable methodologies for regular monitoring. Closing these gender data gaps is essential for achieving gender equality commitments in Lesotho."}, {"bbox": [96, 577, 1164, 632], "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, 656, 1164, 924], "category": "Text", "text": "The key stakeholders for the civil society support measures are civil society organisations including women organisation, human rights defender, and youth associations who represent the diversity of the human rights holders (people). A recent mapping identified over 70 active organisations in Lesotho. It will be important to ensure maximum inclusiveness and support small-scale actors and youth, beyond the traditional NGOs. To that end, financial support will need to be differentiated, through sub-granting. As outlined in section 3.4., local civil society organisations have limited financial capacity, resulting in possible difficulties when managing large EU grants. This was highlighted by a Results-Oriented Monitoring mission carried out in 2021 and expenditure verifications. To mitigate such risks, the action will envisage relying on intermediate structures while providing sub-granting that caters to different needs and capacity levels of beneficiary organisations. In addition, financial capacity development could be provided via the cooperation facility and other instruments."}, {"bbox": [96, 948, 1164, 1163], "category": "Text", "text": "With regard to the cooperation facility, the main stakeholders will be targeted government and non-governmental actors involved in the focal sectors of EU cooperation in Lesotho. The cooperation facility is multi-sectoral in nature, as it will support initiatives that strengthen duty bearers, public administration and enhance government effectiveness, as well as reform processes and measures linked to the priorities of the MIP. The main stakeholders and target groups for strategic communication and public diplomacy will be identified during the implementation, ensuring a differentiated approach between specialised audiences (political and diplomatic counterparts, opinion leaders, activists, media, civil society, and academia) and wider audiences comprising ordinary citizens (women and men), especially youth."}, {"bbox": [86, 1202, 604, 1236], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 3 DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION"}, {"bbox": [86, 1270, 508, 1302], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 3.1 Objectives and Expected Outputs"}, {"bbox": [96, 1318, 1164, 1400], "category": "Text", "text": "The Overall Objective (Impact) of this action is to strengthen civil society in Lesotho and to establish a cooperation facility to support the implementation of the Multi-annual Indicative Programme 2021-2027 and Team Europe Initiatives, including strategic communication activities."}, {"bbox": [96, 1424, 495, 1452], "category": "Text", "text": "The Specific Objectives (Outcomes) are to:"}, {"bbox": [172, 1452, 1164, 1506], "category": "List-item", "text": "1. Strengthen the equitable participation and representation of women, men, girls and boys in all their diversity in policy- and decision-making at all levels;"}, {"bbox": [172, 1505, 1164, 1559], "category": "List-item", "text": "2. Support Lesotho's development strategies, the implementation of the Multiannual Indicative Programme and Team Europe Initiatives;"}, {"bbox": [172, 1558, 1031, 1586], "category": "List-item", "text": "3. Promote the values that inspire the partnership between Lesotho and the European Union."}, {"bbox": [96, 1610, 1130, 1638], "category": "Text", "text": "The Outputs to be delivered by this action contributing to the corresponding Specific Objectives (Outcomes) are:"}, {"bbox": [1038, 1681, 1143, 1707], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 6 of 15"}]