Global Project Summary

The mission:   Our mission is to create a platform for awareness, learning, collaboration, and dialogue among 15 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and media outlets in Armenia. Capacity building and knowledge exchange through a new innovative learning platform, to foster good practices and collaborations which will strengthen the civil society of Armenia.   Stronger civil society needed:  In recent history, civic society space of Armenia is very challenged from the background of war and conflicts. The country is a very young democracy, with more need for a strong civil society space now than ever. The intervention will raise awareness and create new opportunities for cross-sector collaboration based on common interests with different types of actors. The platform connects members of CSOs, CBOs and media outlets to find common goals and collaborations.   Our partner:   Analytical Centre on Globalization and Regional Cooperation (ACGRC), a leading advocate for democracy in Armenia. ACGRC is a frontrunner in promoting democracy and civil society in Armenia. Our partnership has been strengthened through previous collaborations, notably the Youth Ambassadors for Peace consortium, where we empowered Armenian youth to become peace ambassadors.  Goal of the Armenia Meeting Point (AMT):   We expect this intervention to not only enhance our individual organizations’ capabilities but also further solidify our partnership. Both CB and ACGRC share a commitment to creating spaces for dialogue and active citizenship. Our mutual dedication to fostering positive change in Armenia’s civil society will create a brighter future for Armenians and ability to strengthen democratic values and dialogue.

Capacity building and developing six community radio stations that provide target communities with important information and platforms so they can take part in socio-economic and democratic political spaces.  The mission: Strengthening the civic space through community radio stations, they are important in Zimbabwe because they provide critical information and platforms for marginalized communities, allowing them to participate in socio-economic and democratic processes. These stations are essential for promoting social justice by giving voice to underrepresented groups and fostering inclusive sustainable development. However, these newly licensed community radios face various challenges, including governance, content creation, and financial sustainability.  The important role of Community Radio Stations in Zimbabwe:  This intervention takes place in a context where political power has long been dominated by the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). Zimbabwe has experienced economic instability, food insecurity, and limited civic space over the years. This shrinking civic space undermines democracy, independence, and anti-corruption efforts, posing challenges to promoting the rule of law and accountable institutions in Zimbabwe.  Our partner:   This is the first time the partners will be making a project together. The partners have come to know each other through a common acquaintance in the Ghana Community Radio Network (GCRN), with whom Crossing Borders have made projects for many years. ZACRAS and GCRN share a common mission as association network organisations for community radio stations in their respective countries.  Our goal: The community radio stations will produce content focusing on human rights and community radio advocacy. They’ll serve as platforms for citizens to interact with those responsible for solutions in areas of development and governance. Throughout the project, ZACRAS will monitor and evaluate progress both in person and online. 

Our mission:  This project is a continuation of our previous project, “Youth promoting peace and tolerance in Zimbabwe,” which began in 2022. We aim to expand on the foundations we have created in youth engagement and participation for peace and dialogue. Our strategy incorporates sports and arts to foster change in a way that includes the youth of Zimbabweon a deeper level.  A need for higher youth and woman participation in Zimbabwe:   During the first phase of the project, we observed that many young people were hesitant to engage in electoral processes due to various factors, including negative peace, structural barriers imposed by political parties, distrust in the election management system, and limited knowledge of voter education and electoral laws. Additionally, there was limited participation of women in the first phase, prompting a need for capacity-building efforts for women. We need to create a positive impact for a more inclusive and democratic future which can produce higher youth participation in Zimbabwe elections.   Our Partner:  4-H Zimbabwe Foundation, in collaboration with Crossing Borders (CB) and with funding from CISU, has a proven track record of working with the targeted project beneficiaries, the youth, and key peace stakeholders. In our previous peace project, we successfully engaged with the National Peace Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), and traditional chiefs, fostering peace and tolerance.  Our goal:   With this continued second project, we wish to create active and peaceful participation of Zimbabwe’s youth in electoral processes by September 2023, spreading knowledge and gaining an understanding of importance in democratic participation. As well as incorporating peace building initiatives, using art and sports as way to be inclusive of youth and increase governance activities by May 2024. Informing the youth will also aim to advocate for pro-youth policies and engaging more women.

The mission:  Our mission in Zimbabwe is an indication to our commitment to fostering positive change. Through youth empowerment, peace promotion, and inclusivity advocacy, we aim to create a brighter future for this resilient nation.  Empowering Youth Voices for a Peaceful and Inclusive Zimbabwe  In Zimbabwe, a country full of young people with lots of energy and ideas, things need to get better. But the young voices that want to make a difference sometimes find it hard to be heard. This project wants to help these young leaders, bring together people from different political groups, and give everyone a chance to share their ideas in order to make Zimbabwe more peaceful place.  Our partners:  Our partners in the Zimbabwe project include local political parties, civil society organizations, the Parliamentary Youth Caucus, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation, the National Peace Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), and the Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC). Additionally, we collaborate with UN Women in Zimbabwe to support the empowerment of young women in leadership and electoral processes.  Our goal:  We expect a transformation to sweep across Zimbabwe, where politically engaged youth become ambassadors of peace, driving forward a new era of tolerance and understanding. Through dialogue, leadership training, and inclusive governance, we anticipate young women actively participating in shaping their nation’s future. Furthermore, we look forward to influencing policies that open doors for youth, ensuring their voices are heard and respected. This project is a catalyst for a more harmonious and inclusive Zimbabwe.  

The mission:  Our mission in Zambia is to equip civil society organizations and youth groups with digital tools and knowledge, enabling them to effectively advocate for transparency, accountability, and civic participation, ultimately fostering a culture of accountable governance and citizen engagement.  Addressing Zambia’s urgent need for Digital Advocacy in Civic Engagement:  The need for the Zambia project arises from the challenges faced in the country, including the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on civic engagement, a changing government landscape, and a shrinking civic space. There is a pressing demand for enhanced digital advocacy tools and capacities to strengthen civil society’s ability to hold duty bearers accountable and promote transparent governance in Zambia. This project addresses these needs by empowering CSOs and youth groups to utilize digital tools effectively, thereby contributing to accountable governance and improved civic engagement in Zambia.  Our partners:  We collaborate with Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) to implement this project, leveraging our expertise in digital tools and international projects to support accountable governance and civil society in Zambia.  Our goal:  We anticipate a stronger digital advocacy capacity among CSOs and youth groups, enhanced responsiveness from government and duty bearers, and a revitalized civic engagement landscape in Zambia as a result of this project.