End of the fifth cycle of the economic reform programme |24 March 2014

Nine of 10 projects completed

Nine out of 10 social projects under the economic reform programme have been completed and representatives of the nine non-governmental organisations received certificates last Friday.

The ceremony took place at the Lungos (Liaison Unit of Non-Governmental Organisations of Seychelles) conference centre and it was organised to mark the end of the fifth cycle of the social projects of the economic reform programme.

The government engaged proactive role of the civil society, represented by Lungos, in complementing its efforts in minimising and eventually eliminating the socio-economic impacts of the reform economic programme.

Through initial funding from the European Union, the government through Lungos decided to engage civil society organisations in strengthening the safety net set up by the government, by funding projects aimed at reducing the prevalence of social-ills and improving livelihoods, especially for those of the vulnerable sector of the population.

The representatives received their certificates from finance principal secretary Patrick Payette in the presence of the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly David Pierre, chief executive of Lungos Steve Lalande, Lungos chairperson Marie-Nella Azemia, Bishop Denis Wiehe from the Roman Catholic Church, and Lungos board members.

“Lungos became a partner with the government to implement the economic social reform programme. All projects funded through this programme have brought positive changes in the lives of those who took part,” PS Payet said when he presented the certificates.

Addressing those present, Mr Lalande said: “NGOs engage in public affairs through activities related to human rights, health, environment, faith-based, gender, youth, socio-economic and professional organisations. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the government of Seychelles and the European Union on behalf of Lungos for making the funds available for the NGOs.”

Mrs Azemia said “focusing on capacity-building, economic empowerment and mindset change as the three thematic areas of intervention, it is heartening to note that the list of projects successfully implemented from 2009 to date are proof of the proactive role of the civil society in completing the effort of the government towards minimising the socio-economic impacts of the reform economic programme.”

“The projects have elevated the capacity and skills of members and beneficiaries and empowered them with appropriate knowledge that are aimed at giving them the power to meaningfully make valuable contributions as citizens and to also increase productivity as part of the national wealth creation,”  added Mrs Azemia.

During the ceremony the guests had the chance to hear a testimony by one of the beneficiaries and she talked about how the project has changed her life.

Since she is paralysed, moving from one classroom to another was hard for her during her secondary studies and she was unable to attend the computer classes that the school offered as she was unable to use the staircase to reach the computer room.

The project has given her the chance to learn computing, thus enhancing her chances of finding employment. She is currently working as an office assistant at the Sentinel Security.

Lungos is now called Civil Engagement Platform of Seychelles (Ceps).

By awarding grants to support participatory governance across the Commonwealth, the programme aims to:

■Deliver an efficient and effective programme which is responsive to the development needs of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) across the Commonwealth

■Complement the effectiveness of the Foundation’s projects by providing grants to CSOs beyond those supported through the projects

■Generate knowledge and understanding of participatory governance and its benefits in promoting effective, responsive and accountable governance within the Commonwealth by supporting models of good practice.

B. D.