Context
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) – and its southeastern provinces of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba in particular – are very rich in natural resources such as copper and cobalt. The Lobito Corridor, a major transportation route of economic and geopolitical importance, serves the mining regions. It runs from the Congolese-Zambian border to the Atlantic coast in Angola. Despite this, the level of poverty is very high.
Weak local governance, ongoing conflicts in the northeast of the country, corruption and insufficient decentralisation all hamper the consolidation both of democracy and of long-term development involving the entire population. Participation by women and girls is severely restricted by traditional gender roles and discriminatory social norms.
Objective
Improved skills, structures and processes of governmental and civil society stakeholders result in better democratic governance in the selected municipalities of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba.
Approach
The project improves the performance of local municipalities and communities, e.g. in the field of administration. It also helps civil society organisations promote decentralisation and democratisation. This includes enabling them to cooperate with one another and steer the processes involved both internally and at the overarching level between municipalities.
In addition, the project trains female managers and specialists, civil society organisations and the municipal councils (that were first elected at the end of 2023) in facilitating democracy.
It also supports local and regional networks among women in politics, local government and civil society in improving gender equality and equal rights.