In collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Agha Khan Foundation (AGF), Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da Comunidade (FDC), a Mozambican non-governmental organization, is carrying out a civil society mapping and capacity assessment in Mozambique. The initiative is a self-assessment of CSOs strength looking at key four dimensions. The structure addressing the size, make-up and composition of the sector; the environment, assessing the legal, socio-economic and other factors influencing CSO functioning; the values, analysing the principles and values that CSOs adhere too, practicize and promote and finally, their impact on people and society’s lives. The mapping and capacity assessment will provide CSO and stakeholders with a common and reliable basis for actions towards development of the sector.

The announcement was made by Ms. Graça Machel, FDC President, during the First Meeting of the National Advisory Board for Civil Society Index, held in Maputo, on 25 April 2007. Ms. Catherine Masaka, UNDP Resident Representative a.i., who opened session said that “UNDP is providing assistance because of its conviction that a strong CSO sector is a pre-requisite for the ongoing poverty reduction process in Mozambique.”

Used in more than 50 countries, the civil society index which was developed by CIVICUS, will be adopted as reference methodology by FDC and, according to the team coordinators, the project is expected to deliver results in a twelve month period.

The assessment and its findings will be instrumental in capacity development efforts undertaken by partners and will also shed light into innovative forms of working with communities through Civil Society Organizations (CSO), including non-Government, community-based and volunteer organisations to generate an effective and structured response in the country’s efforts to reach PARPA II and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

UNDP involvement with the civil society organizations is not confined to the mapping and assessment exercise. The organization is also working with Link, the Mozambican forum of Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs), in the legal front, as well as, strengthening CSO capacity in policy analysis, monitoring and advocacy under a project signed on 16 May 2006.

The review of the legal framework intends to ensure that the legal environment is more conducive to CSOs development and sustainability including advocating for a distinction of non-profit and business organizations in the fiscal legislation.

With regards to policy analysis, monitoring and advocacy, the intervention entails support to CSOs in the production and use of evidence to influence public policies. This is part of an effort to improve the quality of CSO participation and impact in policy dialogue with Government and development partners which has started with the establishment of the Poverty Observatories, an initiative supported by UNDP.

For more information, please contact:

Nelson Xavier, UNDP Communication Officer

Mobile phone: + 258 82 3140600

Office + 258 21 481438

E-mail: nelson.xavier@undp.org