Cluster 2 : Capacity Development

Overview

As part of its overall objective to strengthen the role of CSOs working on the regional level in the Mediterranean basin, Med Dialogue for Rights and Equality Programme hosted several capacity building seminars over its implementation period. The seminars responded to participating entities’ needs and aims, which were identified during Med Dialogue’s early Strategic planning and 2020 Mapping survey research on Networks, by providing technical expertise through trained staff, as well as knowledge on relevant case-studies and practices proven to be useful for cross-border work in the region.

These seminars are a key element for achieving the Programme’s goal of strengthening CSOs, since they will address weaknesses and gaps through a practical approach, and ensure that the participating CSOs receive the support they need.

Goals

The seminars focused on thematic issues relevant to the region, and aimed at:

-Empowering CSOs in their technical knowledge,

-Increasing CSOs ability to plan and implement advocacy campaigns, improving their skills to influence policies and decision-making, and upgrading their skills of dialogue with institutions.

-Strengthening the participants’ networking capacities and widening their reach on the regional level,

-Fostering a space for dialogue between civil society actors, institutional players, and other stakeholders such as government officials,

-Highlighting the roles ITs can play in activism and advocacy, and providing a better understanding of how to take advantage of the fast-growing and influential digital space.

Accomplishments

-Online preparatory course and practical seminar on “fostering democratic local governance and overcoming socio-economic inequalities”,

-5 research papers on policy dialogue elaborated by participants,

-3 Back Home Action Plans on policy dialogue carried out by participants,

-Online Ideathon and Hackathon on “Digital civic space and the new technologies for democracy” (Hack to Act),

-3 Awarded digital solutions in the field of activism for democracy and public participation.