Support expected to improve the capacity of EACSOF Kenya to engage in policy formulation on EAC issues, to coordinate the interventions of the Mombasa Port CSO Stakeholder Group, among others and ultimately improve the participation of citizens in the regional integration
NAIROBI, Kenya, 13th September 2016 – East African Civil Society Organisations’ Forum (EACSOF) Kenya Chapter has signed a Partnership Agreement with TradeMark Africa (TMA) Kenya Country Programme to enhanced capacity and participation of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in port reform dialogue and regional integration.
Despite the opportunities provided by Consultative Dialogue Framework (CDF), there is still minimal participation of citizens across the region and specifically in Kenya. The structures at the country level (especially institutions for participation) have not been fully developed. The participation by CSOs in the CDF process has remained dismal due to weak capacity of the coordinating institutions. In the same footing, the scoping study commissioned by TMA (2012) revealed that CSOs had no structured frameworks for engaging in the Mombasa Port reform agenda. The report recommended for the establishment of coordinated structures and action networks to enable the CSOs to effectively participate in the port reform initiatives.
In the spirit of addressing the above gaps TMA has committed USD 240,050.77 (Approx. Kshs 24 million) to improve the capacity of EACSOF Kenya to engage in policy formulation on EAC issues, to coordinate the interventions of the Mombasa Port CSO Stakeholder Group, among others and ultimately improve the participation of citizens in the regional integration process. Support within the port of Mombasa initiative, which is TMAs flagship project, will ensure that all actors, including civil society work harmoniously to achieve the overall goal of improving efficiency of the port. Civil society’s role will be to ensure that the communities are informed of the operations, opportunities and benefits of the Port to their overall well-being, and will contribute towards creating openness and transparency at the port to minimize disruptions and suspicions from the community within and around the port. The process will enable a win-win situation for both the port and the local communities, leading to enhanced productivity.
The project will be implemented over a period of twenty four (24) months and is expected to: a) Facilitate Port Community to lobby Port Management to incorporate their priority issues in port plans; b) Improve capacity of EACSOF Kenya Chapter to deliver on its mission; and c) to enable EACSOF Kenya lobby for its key priorities to be incorporated by RDC/SG’s Forum as policy recommendations.
TradeMark Africa (TMA) is an aid-for-trade organisation that was established with the aim of growing prosperity in East Africa through increased trade. TradeMark Africa (TMA) operates on a not-for-profit basis and is funded by the development agencies of the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, UK, and USA. TradeMark Africa (TMA) works closely with East African Community (EAC) institutions, national governments, the private sector and civil society organisations.
