Promotion of local democracy and support for social dialogue in preparation of local elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Africa’s second-largest nation, has experienced recurrent armed conflicts with belligerent groups attempting to control parts of its territory. This instability can be largely attributed to a lack of governance (especially local governance). The country’s remote and often contested public authorities face multiple challenges. As a result, there is a sense of distrust between citizens and their public institutions. This undermines democratic values and leads to spiralling instability, especially around election times. Citizen participation in political processes remains a struggle, while women and youth continue to be side-lined. Against this background, the project works in line with the 2006 decentralisation plan of the Congolese constitution to improve the conditions for local governance and bring about a democratic awakening through socio-political dialogue and inclusive participation, especially for women and youth.