Project to support civil society organizations for local development in Burundi

Project

This project is carried out with the support of the European Union

Project start date: September 30 2024

Status
Ongoing
Project end date: September 30 2029
Project duration: 5 years
AFD financing amount: € 9 000 000
Country and region: Burundi
Location: Bujumbura, Kayanza, Muyinga, Mwaro
Type of financing: Grant, Delegation of European Union Funds
Beneficiaries: Republic of Burundi, Civil Society Organizations
Type of beneficiary: State

The content of this project information sheet falls under the sole responsibility of the AFD and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the European Union.

The content of this project brief is the sole responsibility of AFD and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. For more than 15 years, AFD has been working alongside the civil society in Burundi. In 2024, this long-standing partnership entered a new phase with the launch of “TUJANE TWESE”, a project developed in collaboration with the European Union. Its ambition is to encourage genuine dialogue between the State and the civil society, and to ensure that women, young people and persons with disabilities have a stronger voice in public and political life, from local communities to the national level.

Context

The civil society in Burundi plays a vital role in the country’s socio-economic development. The Burundi National Development Plan 2018–2027 highlights this by calling for “an environment open to dialogue and consultation between the Government and civil society partners, who are key players in development.

Description

Through this project, AFD is supporting the commitment of Burundian authorities’ to empowering national associations and giving them the means to play a meaningful role in local public action. This approach is aligned with the draft National Strategy for Development Cooperation (SNCD, 2023–27), which encourages civil society’s direct involvement in implementing development initiatives.

The project focuses on three main priorities: i) strengthening dialogue between public authorities and civil society organizations, both nationally and locally ii) helping ASBLs (non-profit associations) grow and professionalize, so they can act with greater confidence, credibility and long-term stability iii) supporting Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in driving local development.

The project is mainly implemented in the provinces of Kayanza, Muyinga and Mwaro. Ultimately, the project aims to help build a culture of democracy, dialogue and peace by encouraging constructive cooperation between the State and civil society, especially organizations representing women, young people and persons with disabilities, throughout the design, implementation and monitoring of development policies.

Impacts

The project will help associations strengthen their advocacy, communicate more effectively with public authorities and play a more active role in shaping local development.

It will also support ASBL and CBOs in building their organizational, technical and financial capacities through tailored training, ongoing guidance and support for community-driven projects and micro-initiatives. These actions will pay particular attention to gender equality and social inclusion, ensuring that development efforts reach those who need them most.