25 Jan 2017

Botswana and the European Union (EU) have awarded P4 136 074 to nine out of 49 proposals that were received for 2017.

Officiating at the award ceremony for the medium sized grants scheme under the empowerment of non-state actors programme co-funded by Botswana and EU, the Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Mr Edwin

Batshu, thanked the EU Delegation for the support they extended to Botswana under the programme.

Mr Batshu said the financial and technical support Botswana received had enabled the remarkable progress that had been achieved to date towards common development agenda.

He pointed out that since the country was preparing to implement the National Development Plan (NDP) 11, it was the right moment to make sure that NGOs and CBOs participated fully in development efforts.

He stated that as partners in development, they shared a common agenda of taking the development of Botswana to the next level, adding that there is “undoubtedly a need to join efforts in this challenging endeavour in order to succeed”.

Mr Batshu pointed out that government appreciated the fundamental role played by NGOs in the national development process, saying for that reason they always looked at ways to enhance the partnerships.

He said the latest of such efforts was in 2012 when government reviewed the national NGO policy, the underlying goal being to improve the partnership between government and NGOs towards a more meaningful and accountable participation in national development efforts.

Mr Batshu stated that with the aim of strengthening NGOs contribution to development, the government in partnership with the European Union was implementing the Empowerment of Non State Actors (ENSA) programme, saying the programme was to support, develop capacities and provide funding support to NGOs as well as enhancing the enabling environment for their participation.

He stated that the programme was now in its third and final lag.

Previous phases were the small and large scale support where 42 projects were funded at a total amount of P23 000 000.

Mr Batshu further revealed that several NGOs working on women empowerment succeeded in capacity building for women, both in addressing the causes of their disadvantaged positions including gender based violence to equipping the women with requisite skills for starting their own income generating projects and accessing already existing government financial support schemes.

He also indicated that some projects, over and above capacity building for beneficiaries, were able to provide the necessary infrastructure to effectively continue servicing communities beyond the duration of the programme.

He specified that some include the orphans and vulnerable children centre in Bobonong, and the artists' studios and auditorium in Maun.

Mr Batshu commend NGOs that were awarded the grants, including the stakeholders who made time to make a meaningful contribution.

Apart from the financial support to NGOs, he said the programme also provided invaluable support for establishment of the NGO council, both technically and financially to enable it to become fully operational. BOPA