![]() ![]() The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights - EIDHR As EU support transitions to large scale investment operations, the importance of ensuring funds ultimately benefit those for whom they are intended becomes all the more challenging, and adequate anti-corruption mechanisms all the more important. It also has an important human rights and gender aspect, as corruption impacts predominantly on the most marginalised sections of society – women and youth in particular. Anti-Corruptionįighting corruption is essential to achieve the SDGs, impacting upon the efficiency and legitimacy of our programmes as well as poverty alleviation and wider development outcomes. Digital technologies have fundamentally changed the landscape - for good and ill - underlining the importance of protecting fundamental freedoms online as well as off. Support to independent media and civil society provides an essential counter to these regressive tendencies, ensuring that alternative voices are heard, injustice flagged and authority challenged. Recent years have seen these freedoms under particular threat, exacerbated by increasing populism and authoritarianism, even within the European Union. ![]() Fundamental Freedomsįreedom of opinion, freedom of expression and the Right to information are essential to democratic governance. However, these areas have been relatively underfunded in recent years, and the recent EIDHR Mid Term Review highlighted the importance of stepping up EU support. EU support to this wider democratic ecology runs risks, and can be politically sensitive, particularly in a climate of authoritarianism and intolerance. They are also important partners for sustainable development as recognised in the new European Consensus on Development.īeyond this, new and wider forms of citizen engagement are emerging, including increasingly through the use of digital technologies. Independent, inclusive, transparent and effective parliaments and capable, democratic and policy-oriented political parties, acting within fair multi-party systems, are an essential element of a healthy political system. Elections count for little – however impressive in their technical efficiency – without them. Parliaments and political parties remain the key institutions of political representation and participation. The EU is increasingly focusing on election observation, and the role of both domestic and international (EU) observers in ensuring democratic progress isn't restricted to the election period. Our support looks at the entire electoral cycle, encompassing all the elements that contribute to an inclusive, credible and transparent election. It has been the mainstay of democracy support for many years, and still represents the bulk of EU funding.Įlections are the visible manifestation of a democratic system, giving voice to citizens and presenting a vital and powerful symbol to the country and international community. Electoral supportĮlection assistance may be defined as the technical or material support given to the electoral process. Civil registration is also linked to e-governance, improving government services. Without such identity, individuals do not have access to basic rights and services, and governments cannot plan and allocate resources in an equitable fashion. An estimated 1 billion people are without legal identity, the majority are women and children in Sub Saharan Africa and South Asia. Registration of citizens lies at the backbone of any attempt to improve democratic governance, particularly for the most marginalised and disadvantaged people. Good governance can also be thought of as a system whereby the state applies the Rights Based Approach to its actions. Support to democratic governance also encompasses the non-state actors that contribute to a functional democratic system. ![]() It focuses on the 'duty bearers' of the Rights Based Approach. Principles for good governance are participation, inclusion, transparency and accountability. Underlying it are the rules, processes and behaviour which determine how the state serves its citizens. Democratic governanceĭemocratic governance is about how interests are articulated, resources are managed and power is exercised. Particular emphasis in based on facilitating the involvement of women and youth in civic and political life. Depending on the particular objectives of each action, we work with a wide range of partners, including grass-roots organisations, international parliamentary associations, advocacy and watch-dog organisations, electoral bodies, political foundations, parliaments and the media. The EU supports democratisation and fundamental freedoms in partner countries by encouraging broad participation in political decision-making and local ownership of sectors that are key to sustainable development. ![]()
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