…prepares to launch second phase
The European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is set to formally close the first phase of EU’s flagship democracy support programme in Nigeria. The flagship programme, EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) was designed to complement the efforts of the Nigerian government to improve and strengthen democracy.
The first phase of the EU-SDGN programme launched in 2017, prioritizes the shared values, mutual interests, and common objectives of the Nigerian government and the EU. The programme emerged to fulfil the intervention opportunities identified during cross-sectional consultations between the EU and relevant election stakeholders in Nigeria. The programme’s priorities are anchored on recommendations of the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) following outcomes of the 2015 General Elections.
The implementation of the EU-SDGN fulfils the continued interest of the EU in supporting the process of democratic and electoral reforms to enhance the capacity of Nigeria’s national institutions. EU-SDGN Phase II improves on the target objectives and outcomes of Phase I, which ended in 2022.
A key underlying component for both implementation phases of the programme revolves around synergistic collaborations between the electoral management body, the National Assembly, political parties, select civil society organisations (CSOs), the media, and all other relevant stakeholders. Phase I brought together 13 CSOs, who worked together to implement the components of the programme. Similarly, Phase II will be executed by 10 CSOs, who will co-implement the programme targeted at INEC and other key stakeholders.
EU-SDGN Phase I focused on five thematic areas (2017 – 2022):
Component 1: Support to the Independent National Electoral Commission
Component 2: Support to the National Assembly
Component 3: Support to Political Parties
Component 4: Support to Media
Component 5: Support to Civil Society Organisations
The closing event will serve as an opportunity to learn from the EU’s democratic support to Nigeria. It will also allow attendees gain insight into the plans for the second phase. The event is scheduled to hold as follows:
Date: Monday, September 12, 2022
Time: 10am
Venue: International Conference Center, (ICC) Abuja
Interested participants are required to register here:
