The Central Elections Commission (CEC) and the European Union (EU) launched today the “Partnership with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) 2024” project, by signing agreements with the CSOs participating in implementing the project.
The signing ceremony was hosted at the CEC’s HQ in Al-Bireh, with the presence of the CEC’s CEO, Mr. Ashraf Al-Shuaibi, the Representative of the European Union to the State of Palestine, Mr. Alexandre Stutzmann, directors and representatives of CSOs participating in the project, the CEC’s executive management and the CEC’s staff.
During his opening remarks, on behalf of the CEC and partner CSOs, Mr. Al-Shuaibi welcomed the audience and expressed his gratitude to the EU for its continued support of democracy and good governance programs in Palestine. With this regard, Mr. Al-Shuaibi further noted the importance of the partnership between the CEC and Palestinian CSOs, which are playing an important role in addition to the CEC in supporting the awareness raising efforts on elections and democratic life, contributing to maintaining it on the agenda of decision makers.
Moreover, CEC’s CEO, Mr. Al-Shuaibi brought the attention to the continued genocide war against the Gaza Strip… and what the northern governorates of the West Bank has been suffering… expressing his hope to implement the partnership project in the Gaza Strip after ending the aggression, its impacts and traces.
In return, during his remarks, the EU representative, Mr. Stutzmann, praised the CEC’s important work and role in spreading electoral awareness and preparing for elections once the conditions allow it. Moreover, Mr. Stutzmann emphasized the continued European support to CEC’s work, being a key element and a cornerstone of democratic practice in the Palestinian reality. Mr. Stutzmann further added that the projects to implemented by the CSOs under the supervision and follow up of the CEC are extremely important in raising awareness and enhancing the democratic culture within the Palestinian society.
Representing the CEC, its CEO, Mr. Ashraf Al-Shuaibi signed the agreements with the directors and representatives of the participating CSOs, in the presence of the EU representatives. The agreements entail funding activities with ten thousand euros per CSO, targeting different categories of citizens; most importantly women, the youth and persons with disabilities, with the aim of enhancing electoral awareness and democratic practice within the Palestinian society.
Projects implementation period extends until the end of this year, and covers all the country’s governorates including Jerusalem. It was decided to organize trainings, workshops and accountability meetings with members of elected councils, in addition to student debates and elections simulation activities, as well as art and theater research and performances.
It is worth mentioning that the CEC is implementing the Partnership with CSOs project, funded by the EU. The funding agreement was signed by both parties in July last year, which aims to spread electoral knowledge and the values of participation and democracy, as well as enhancing partnerships with the CSOs working in the area of elections, democracy and good governance.