Background of the Project:

High quality non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can help hold the government accountable and be transparent and responsive to the public interest, while supporting sound, just, and responsive governance. The activity will strengthen democratic systems to help the country advance on its journey to self-reliance.

Timor-Leste has had a robust NGO community since independence but many of the nascent NGOs find their advocacy skills limited by a lack of administrative capacity and sustainable financial support. USAID/Timor-Leste NGO Advocacy for Good Governance Activity will provide technical training and support to make local NGOs more sustainable and better able to represent citizen interests with the government.

Summary

The USAID/Timor-Leste NGO Advocacy for Good Governance activity expands the NGO enabling environment and strengthens the organizational, research, networking, and financial capacity for up to eight mid-level local NGOs in Timor-Leste to provide increased evidence-based, sustainable advocacy services on behalf of citizens. A robust NGO sector is foundational to a democratically governed, rules-based state. The activity will focus on four objectives: strengthen NGO organizational capacity; improve advocacy, research, analysis and networking capacities for better response to constituents; foster more diverse and regular revenue streams, and; promote an enabling environment that fosters independent NGOs. High quality NGOs can help hold the government accountable and be transparent and responsive to the public interest, while supporting sound, just, and responsive governance. The activity will strengthen democratic systems to help build a more accountable, inclusive Timor-Leste that is advancing towards greater self-reliance.

Project Details:

• Location: Nationwide
• Duration: August 2020 ‒ August 2025
• Key Counterparts: TBD
• Partner Contact: USAID NGO Advocacy for Good Governance Activity, Diane Lynn Francisco, Chief of Part, email: dfrancisco@counterpart.org
• USAID Contact: Ana Guterres, Project Management Specialist; Email: usaid-timor-leste-info@usaid.gov

Results to be achieved:

• Organizational capacity for participating NGOs to sustainably implement their mandate improved;
• NGOs demonstrate a commitment to integrating women, youth, and other marginalized groups throughout the organization;
• Community awareness of and satisfaction with participating NGO advocacy services increased;
• Participating NGOs’ engagement with and responsiveness to constituents, particularly women, youth, and other marginalized groups increased;
• NGOs increase sustainable revenue from alternative sources, such as the private sector and philanthropists;
• Public participation increased in development of laws and policies that have an impact on the NGO operating environment;
• Identify and reduce policy, legal, regulatory, and barriers for women and other marginalized groups from participating in advocacy services and otherwise influencing policy-making and government decision-making.