[{"bbox": [96, 153, 1135, 296], "category": "Text", "text": "the title of Chief Adviser. On 8 August the High Representative issued a statement saying that the “EU looks forward to engaging with the new administration and to supporting this critical transition which should be part of a peaceful and inclusive process underpinned by good governance, democratic values and respect for human rights.” The EU has closely followed the situation and the actions of the authorities in the context of this crisis and will continue to do so."}, {"bbox": [85, 324, 341, 356], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.2 Problem Analysis"}, {"bbox": [96, 383, 1135, 733], "category": "Text", "text": "In addressing the problem analysis for the EU's participation in the Civic Engagement Fund (CEF), we recognise the critical challenges undermining civic engagement and the effectiveness of CSOs in Bangladesh. These challenges include a trend of closing civic space, constrained spaces for civil dialogue and participation, a restrictive regulatory and legal framework, coupled with limited organizational capacity and difficulties to access funding. While organisations that extend services to poor and marginalised groups face less restrictions to carry out their operations, those that maintain rights-based advocacy and lobbying efforts face various issues from restrictive institutions and laws, surveillance, intimidation, mistrust and deliberate efforts to keep them from the political sphere. This results in the weakness of some CSOs to effectively play their role to advocate for vulnerable and marginalised groups, people living in poverty, religious and ethnic minority groups, LGBTI people and persons with disabilities. In addition, especially community based and grassroots CSOs have weak capacities in terms of utilising open internet and digital skills to support their efforts."}, {"bbox": [96, 743, 1135, 1151], "category": "Text", "text": "Despite efforts and recent positive trends, the rapid economic growth experienced by Bangladesh in recent years has exacerbated patterns of marginalisation in addition to the negative effects of climate change, disproportionally affecting women and girls negatively. Inequality gaps persist in labour markets, and in particular, regarding women's participation and representation in high levels of decision making, women's participation in the formal economy and the persistent wage gap between women and men in most sectors. Rates of sexual and gender-based violence are high in Bangladesh. Moreover, discriminatory laws and provisions remain in the national legislation, and monitoring and implementation remain insufficient. Children from poor households, especially female children, are equality at risk facing various forms of exploitation, forced labour, child marriage and violence. The EU's involvement is predicated on strengthening these CSOs to bolster inclusive governance, justice, and gender equality in alignment with SDGs 16 and 5. Key stakeholders include local and grassroots organizations, government agencies responsible for civil society engagement, and international partners. The action aims to address institutional barriers to effective civil society participation, ensuring that interventions do not inadvertently harm the very groups they intend to support."}, {"bbox": [96, 1160, 1135, 1395], "category": "Text", "text": "The main assumption is that increased civic engagement is part of the solution to accelerate progress towards SDGs 16 and 5 and improves good governance efforts. Increased civic engagement presents both a goal and an important contribution through synergies with bilateral cooperation with the government on governance and sector-specific agendas of other SDGs. The SDGs serve as an entry point and provide a framework where all sides have an interest to advance and CSOs have significant added value acknowledged by the government. In other words, there needs to be a certain level of government commitment to democratic governance, reform and political will for an inclusive and engaged dialogue to take place."}, {"bbox": [96, 1404, 1135, 1605], "category": "Text", "text": "Amidst a constrained political environment, the emphasis on SDGs 16 and 5 becomes crucial for supporting CSOs and fostering normative discussions: the CEF is designed as a fund to support activities aligned with SDGs 16 and 5, promoting citizen participation in governance and human rights monitoring. It aims to bolster CSOs at various levels, amidst shifting donor priorities and reduced funding for governance and human rights. The CEF thus serves as a collaborative platform for dialogue between civil society and the government, facilitating pooled resources from development partners to enhance aid effectiveness."}, {"bbox": [85, 1681, 194, 1707], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 8 of 33"}]