[{"bbox": [97, 153, 1135, 259], "category": "Text", "text": "under other statutory bodies/ Ministries. Legislative reform processes pass through the Ministry of Justice, before reaching the Cabinet and the Parliament. Depending on many factors, any reform can be put on-hold. In addition, the current government has been vocal about keeping certain reforms (notably constitutional ones) for a potential second mandate, after the 2026 general elections."}, {"bbox": [97, 259, 1135, 446], "category": "Text", "text": "Since the 4th quarter of 2023 a partnership between NAZ and EU Member States parliaments has been established, in the framework of Inter Pares Project (Parliaments in Partnership - EU Global Project to Strengthen the Capacity of Parliaments). 4 priority areas were identified: 1) Parliament's role in the budgetary process, 2) strategic development capacities, 3) representation and Citizen Engagement, 4) legislative scrutiny including gender-sensitive oversight. Activities will start in September/ October 2024 and will be implemented within a year. The action will consolidate the work of Inter Pares for priority 2-4 while for the priority 1 a new twinning project in under preparation."}, {"bbox": [97, 471, 225, 498], "category": "Text", "text": "### Right holders"}, {"bbox": [97, 498, 1135, 816], "category": "Text", "text": "Since the August 2021 General Elections, the general support to the current government seems to be declining. Many factors are contributing to this, but most visible are the increasing cost of life and limited job opportunities for young people. In addition, the political landscape and the public perception seem to be more and more impacted by various government measures against the opposition (arresting opposition leaders, etc.). The recent management of the cholera epidemic (which started in November 2023 and still ongoing) and lack of preparation for the severe drought that is affecting the country contribute to a general decrease in the government's popularity. As a consequence, actions against the ongoing draught might be used by the government for regaining political capital. Although the situation may evolve, CSOs play a pivotal role as a watchdog and advocates for change. Furthermore, still persistant barriers hinder full participation and representation of the vulnerable groups (especially woman and people with disabilities) in the democratic processes. Some of these barriers are mentioned in the National Gender Policy⁵, but much yet is to be done also at the level of the political parties's culture, regulations (currently non-existent) and internal process, including primaries."}, {"bbox": [85, 830, 341, 862], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.2 Problem Analysis"}, {"bbox": [97, 876, 1135, 983], "category": "Text", "text": "Regardless promises of major democratic reforms expressed in the UPND manifesto/ political declarations, and initial efforts following August 2021 general elections, the improvement of the democratic space seems slow. If the current progress were to be put on hold, it would reversely affect other sectors, slowing down economic progress and decreasing trust in democratic institutions/ electoral process."}, {"bbox": [97, 1009, 1135, 1089], "category": "Text", "text": "The enforcement of the ATI Act and the EU EOM recommendations/ governance reforms are highly placed on EU political agenda being part of political dialogue with the government of Zambia. This project's engagements will leverage those dialogues."}, {"bbox": [97, 1116, 1135, 1225], "category": "Text", "text": "The support under outcome 1 will pave the way for increased and effective access to information and will impact all sectors of the EU support. In particular, it will correlate with the PFM reforms and the actions under the CRM sector, as equal access to information is an essential tool in the fight against corruption, by increasing democratic accountability and transparency."}, {"bbox": [97, 1250, 1135, 1366], "category": "Text", "text": "Under outcome 2, the Action will allow accompanying state institutions in reforms (pre and post electoral) which they will be open to implement, and strengthen the demand side of democracy. It will also contribute to peacefulness and legitimacy of the next general elections in August 2026, follow - up and engagement in the reforms."}, {"bbox": [97, 1432, 1074, 1486], "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": [97, 1511, 603, 1539], "category": "List-item", "text": "1) National authorities, as duty bearers, may include:"}, {"bbox": [85, 1620, 410, 1647], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁵ https://www.gender.gov zm/?p=6634"}, {"bbox": [1038, 1681, 1144, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 5 of 18"}]