Project overview   

Officially launched on 24 January 2017 at a centre in Mohale's Hoek, the Participatory Initiative for Social Accountability (PISA) is a civic education programme that aims to promote an informed and active citizenry. 

Objectives

The overall objective of the programme is to contribute to a more efficient and cost effective provision of public goods and services. The specific objective of PISA is to contribute to increased citizens' awareness of governance matters and their capacity to engage in democratic and developmental processes.

Duration

June 2016 - May 2019

Implementing organisation 

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

Partners

Participatory Initiative for Social Accountability (PISA)

Context

The Constitution of Lesotho entrenches the right of citizens to participate in public affairs. However, at present, there is limited awareness and capacity on the part of citizens with regard to their participation in democratic structures and processes. Citizens, especially in rural areas of Lesotho, find it difficult to know what their rights are and where to voice their needs. The citizenry is neither sufficiently informed nor strategically organised to exercise its civic rights. There are limited platforms for citizens to participate in the implementation of national policies and development initiatives. As a result, there is also an emerging cynicism, especially among young people, about the failure of democracy. 

For Lesotho's development, it is deemed important that citizens exercise their democratic rights by duly taking part in public life. Both state and non-state stakeholders, as well as ordinary citizens, require more knowledge and information and greater awareness of development and governance issues. Likewise, elected representatives and civil servants require skills training in the efficient provision of information to Basotho on government policies and service delivery, important for the alleviation of poverty in the country.

Slogan

Boikarabello ke ba Bohle (Sesotho for “Responsibility is for all of us”). 

Benefitting zone

Lesotho

Results         

• Enhanced citizen engagement in democratic matters in Lesotho
• Creation of Dialogue Platforms with effective engagement for local and national structures
• Enhanced community participation in public policy processes in Lesotho

Facts and figures (2018)    

• "Meet your MP" event held 66 Lipotso in 50 Constituencies and reached 8849 citizens (4.401 male/ 4.448 female)
• Co-organisation of Civic Education Conference in Pretoria
• Development of a National Civic Education Curriculum
• Kick-off of a "Let's Keep Our Books In Order", a Public Finance Management Campaign

EU contracted amount

EUR 2 950 000

Funding Instrument

European Development Fund (EDF)

Contributions from partner(s)

 BMZ 

EUR 0.465 000 000