The operational phase of the FCFA 4.5 billion project ends this month with 177 organisations already benefitting.

Representatives of Civil Society Organisations, the European Union and government officials are meeting in Yaounde to appraise achievements, prospects and commitments of the European Union-funded 7 million Euro (about FCFA 4.5 billion) Civil Society Strengthening Programme, PASC. The meeting started in Yaounde yesterday August 26, 2015, with workshop participants expected to come up with resolutions today August 27, 2015.

The project to strengthen the civil society in Cameroon started in January 2012 and has since witnessed strides with the leadership of the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, MINEPAT. The Secretary General in MINEPAT, Gilbert Didier Edoa, chairing open yesterday’s get-together on behalf of his boss, the Chargé d’Affaires in the European Union Delegation, Michal Golabek, and the Project Manager, Bertin Lukanda praised the achievements which they say the list was long. Prominent among is the grant of subventions to 177 organisations worth FCFA 1.9 billion. Over 3,000 members of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs have received training while some 20 training guides have been distributed, a multitude of governance initiatives in the domain of environment, insertion of disabled persons into socio-economic activities, health and decentralization carried out.

Speakers at the ceremony agreed that CSOs in Cameroon have already demonstrated their ability to initiate effective anti-corruption initiatives, contribute to regional integration, support independent media, campaign for gender equality, fight against discrimination, and promote social inclusion and environmentally-sustainable policies and practices. Gilbert Didier Edoa saluted the European Union Delegation for the financial and technical support, encouraged the PASC management team for results obtained, greeted the Steering Committee for pertinent guidelines and team of experts of the supervisory ministry for its tack.

The European Union, through Michal Golabek, pledged his body’s commitment to continue to support and strengthen the capacity of Cameroonian CSOs, saying, “ We want them to become legitimate and credible contributors to the decision-making processes, both at local and national levels.”