Quick Fact

• Total Value of Sector: $43 million

Context: Why Democracy and Governance?

In a time of regional instability, Morocco continues to set a positive example through an ambitious agenda of reforms, including a new constitution and accelerated parliamentary elections. Implementing these reforms, while maintaining stability and security throughout the country, is of the utmost importance. To achieve this, the United States Government, through USAID, is working closely with different political actors – political parties, government entities, civil society organizations (CSO), and civil society as a whole – to help them build their capacities, facilitate citizen participation, and ensure sustainable participatory governance. Through its activities, USAID places particular emphasis on addressing the challenges of marginalized youth by building on the capacity of relevant local and national partners to work with at-risk youth and promote their engagement in their communities.

USAID Response

• Building responsive and representative political parties: Supports the efforts of political parties to become more responsive to citizens and better represent their constituencies and interests.

• Civil society strengthening program: Strengthens civil society organizations to more effectively contribute in the law-making and public policy process.

• Supreme audit institute (SAI): A direct grant to the Cour des Comptes (Court of Auditors) to improve the timeliness, efficiency, and quality of audits.

• Favorable Opportunities to reinforce self-advancement for today's youth (FORSATY): Increases the social and economic inclusion of at-risk youth (10-24 year olds) living in marginalized neighborhoods of Tangier and Tetouan.

• Community oriented police program (COPA):Builds mutual trust between citizens, local police, and community leaders to improve community-oriented policing and citizen-focused security.

Anticipated Results

• More responsive and representative political parties: Political parties are among the most established mechanisms for achieving peaceful democratic change. Unfortunately, Moroccan citizens have long been detached from political parties due to a lack of clear policy vision or sense of involvement, particularly by women and youth, in public-policy making. USAID provides technical support to political parties to help improve their ability to develop clear, articulate platforms while encouraging electoral processes that increase civic participation in governance.

• Increased civil society contribution to public policy: Reform must be the product of both citizen demand and a state capacity to incorporate citizen input. The more civil society organizations become engaged in political dialogue, the more reform efforts will gain credibility. Meeting the diverse expectations and opportunities of civil society is crucial for addressing security and stability on a national level. USAID is supporting the Moroccan Government’s efforts to develop or enhance mechanisms for civic participation in policy making.