UN FORO PARA TOD@S: fortalecimiento y articulación del Foro Ciudadano para la protección y promoción de los derechos humanos en República Dominicana.

Fundación AVSI (

Non-governmental organization (NGO)

)

#SDGAction54803

Description

The partnership between the AVSI Foundation and Foro Ciudadano seeks to develop actions to increase the level of social participation in the Foro Ciudadao and ensure that the Forum truly represents a solid basis for articulation, dialogue, planning and advocacy. The expected impact is "To contribute to strengthening the spaces for civil society participation in the promotion and protection of democracy and human rights in the Dominican Republic with greater links at the international level", by strengthening the planning, communication, advocacy and articulation capacities of the Foro Ciudadano to monitor the human rights situation in the Dominican Republic."

Implementation of the Project/Activity

The project implementation methodology is inclusive and participatory, in which AVSI's role is to favor the articulation processes of the organizations that make up the Foro Ciudadano who are the key actors for the execution of the actions. This inclusive participation approach is functional to achieve the empowerment of civil society, guaranteeing a responsible exit strategy for the project that will ensure, even after its closure, leaving capacities and processes in place so that its impacts persist in the future. AVSI's intervention methodology for the execution of the project is based on the following principles: Starting from the value of the person, never defined by the circumstances in which they live: By strengthening and supporting civil society organizations (CSOs) involved in the promotion and protection of human rights and strengthening the capacities of the Foro Ciudadano, greater coordination and a more effective impact of the actions of organizations defending human rights in all its aspects (political and civil, economic, social and cultural rights) will be guaranteed in favor of the most vulnerable groups. Do with accompany and be accompanied, recognizing that we all have the same human experience in common: This approach contributes to reinforcing the actions and strategies defined at the individual level of each CSO, as well as the joint articulation and planning actions within the Forum. Involve interested parties: encourage the participation of everyone, beneficiaries, operators, partners, donors, private sector. Learning from experience and capitalizing on the lessons learned, the intervention implementation method aims to value and reinforce what people have built and achieved: their history, existing relationships, the social fabric, and the experiences that constitute their vital heritage. The project methodology is based on taking advantage of existing resources and capacities, which are represented by the people, the community, and the institutions with which the intervention will collaborate. Although this action does not represent the extension of previous actions, it is part of a framework of interventions to strengthen and programmatic support of the Foro Ciudadano actions, which have been financed in the past by the European Union. The action will therefore capitalize on previous experiences to ensure synergies with the new action, avoid duplicating previously carried out activities and plan the implementation of the project in a complementary manner.

The objective of the project “UN FORO PARA TOD@S: fortalecimiento y articulación del Foro Ciudadano para la protección y promoción de los derechos humanos en República Dominicana.” is “Contribute to strengthening spaces for civil society participation in the promotion and protection of democracy and human rights in the Dominican Republic with greater links at the international level”. This objective will be achieved through two products.

Product #1: Strengthened capacities and coordination of organizations defending political, civil, economic, and social rights that belong to the Foro Ciudadano.

The primary activities by which product #1 will be achieved are focused on:

Conducting an investigation/characterization on the situation of human rights in the Dominican Republic and the capacities of the organizations that guarantee their promotion and protection, through which, it was possible during the 1st year of project execution (2023) to characterize the operational and institutional capacities of organizations defending Human Rights, design a plan to strengthen the functioning and articulation mechanisms of the Foro Ciudadano through courses on advocacy campaigns and diplomas for the institutional strengthening of the organizations that make up the Foro Ciudadano , in alliance with academic institutions such as FLACSO.

Through these activities it has been possible to strengthen advocacy and campaign capacities, as well as the institutional strengthening of human rights defense organizations in terms of administration, fundraising and management to offer a better service for the promotion and protection of human rights. in Dominican Republic.

Another of the main activities of the execution of the project and that will allow achieving the desired impact is the support for the articulation and planning of the human rights defense organizations in the thematic tables of the Foro Ciudadano.

Through this activity, it will be possible to strengthen the governance process of the Foro Ciudadano both at a strategic and institutional level, also increasing its representativeness at a territorial level, throughout the country. Using a bottom-up methodology starting in the first quarter of the first year (2023), actions were carried out that allowed an increase in the number of CSOs that actively participate in the activities of the Forum, and that will begin to carry out their activities in a manner consistent with the collective priorities identified by the Assembly and in line with its annual Work Plan. Likewise, work will continue to reactivate the Gender thematic table, expanding its focus also towards Young People due to the interest and importance of promoting generational change within CSOs and the Forum itself.

With product # 2, the offer of services will be improved to guarantee the promotion and protection of rights regarding: impunity and corruption, defense of the human rights of the most vulnerable groups (Women, Minors, Migrants, People with disabilities), democracy and inclusive political participation.

The second product of the project will capitalize on the results of strengthening the CSOs of the Foro Ciudadano achieved through the training activities developed in the 1st year (courses to strengthen advocacy capacities and institutional strengthening diploma), as well as the regional and national meetings held to support the articulation and planning of human rights defense organizations in the thematic tables of the Foro Ciudadano.

To support civil society organizations in carrying out concrete actions to protect Human Rights in the Dominican Republic, within the framework of the UN FORO PARA TOD@S project, the mechanism of funds will be applied to third parties, through which they will be allocated 150,000.00 euros to directly finance actions (projects) presented by civil society organizations members of the Foro Ciudadano aimed at improving the offer of services to guarantee the promotion and protection of Human Rights according to 3 specific lots: impunity and corruption (Lot 1) , defense of the human rights of the most vulnerable groups (Women, Minors, Migrants, People with disabilities, etc.) (Lot 2), democracy and inclusive political participation (Lot 3).

The execution of these projects will begin in April 2024 and will end in October 2024 and the beneficiary organizations of the third-party funds, in addition to the financial support, will have the support and accompaniment of the project's technical team, UN FORO PARA TOD@S.

Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer

A.1.1. Research/characterization about human rights in the Dominican Republic and the capacities of the organizations that guarantee their promotion and protection. As a result of this activity, it was possible to have an updated view of the human rights situation in the Dominican Republic, to have a report with the findings on the main weaknesses of the CSOs to be strengthened in terms of managerial, administrative management, fundraising, planning, advocacy and communication; the recommendations to strengthen the articulation and planning capacities of human rights defense organizations in the thematic tables of the Foro Ciudadano. A.1.2. Support for the articulation and planning of human rights defense organizations in the thematic tables of the Foro Ciudadano, through this activity, the governance process of the Forum will be strengthened both at a strategic and institutional level, also increasing its representativeness at the territorial level, throughout the country. A.1.3. Strengthening the advocacy and campaign capacities of the human rights defense organizations that belong to the Foro Ciudadano, through training, we will seek to ensure that the participating CSOs can improve their capabilities to build advocacy campaigns, following a simple and effective action plan. and as a result, 3 advocacy and campaign strategies designed and implemented according to the priorities of the Foro Ciudadano by thematic tables. A.1.4. Institutional strengthening of human rights organizations in terms of administration, fundraising and management to offer a better service for the promotion and protection of rights. During the development of this activity, diploma courses certified by academic institutions such as FLACSO, courses and workshops will be carried out according to the needs identified in the research and participatory workshops with organizations. A.2.1. Financing of initiatives to combat impunity and corruption through the mechanism of financial aid to third parties, with which it will be possible for CSOs to implement at least 2 actions that improve monitoring and oversight mechanisms on purchasing and contracting mechanisms, and on the public payroll. A.2.2. Financing of initiatives to defend the human rights of the most vulnerable groups (Women, Minors, Migrants, People with disabilities, etc.) through the mechanism of financial aid to third parties of at least 4 initiatives. A.2.3. Financing of at least 2 initiatives to improve democracy and inclusive political participation of young people and women in actions related to public and political life.

Coordination mechanisms

To optimize the use of project resources to the maximum and ensure an effective, efficient, and lasting impact, the approach to action is multi-actor and multi-sector. The implementation of the project is carried out by AVSI as main applicant and CIPROS as co-applicant. AVSI coordinates the different activities of the project ensuring their correct execution, supervises the financial and administrative management of the project, participates with partners in the coordination of activities and interventions, and is also responsible for drafting monitoring and compliance reports. CIPROS represents Foro Ciudadano in its role as general secretary of Foro Ciudadano elected at the forum assembly for 2nd term in March 2023 until 2025 and has the responsibility of facilitating internal coordination between CSOs at both the regional and national levels. It will guarantee the dissemination of the proposed actions, including the mobilization of the CSOs that make up the Forum and will have an active coordination role in all project activities. During the execution of the action, it will assume leadership of the implementation of the activities, with a view to the strategy to guarantee the sustainability of the implemented actions. Foro Ciudadano through the executive secretary (CIPROS), the 4 organizations that make up the collegiate committee, the 13 organizations that make up the monitoring committee and the organizations that make up the Foro Ciudadano assembly has an active role throughout the entire project. specifically in the spaces of articulation, planning and decision-making. Project decisions are made in the project management committee, which is made up of the project's technical team and the Foro Ciudadano collegiate committee, a decision that is subsequently validated and approved by the project monitoring committee. All decisions are communicated to the Foro Ciudadano monitoring committee for approval and to validate that they are aligned with the priorities and needs of the Forum. Progress and next steps are also communicated in the monthly committee meetings coordinated by CIPROS. The monitoring and evaluation of the project is carried out by the project team with the support of AVSI and CIPROS, linked to the logical framework to measure in real time the evolution of qualitative and quantitative indicators. Monthly meetings are held with the technical team and quarterly with the management committee. The reports are presented according to the internal needs of the project and Foro Ciudadano and the contractual provisions with the donor.

Partners

Foro Ciudadano

Is a non-partisan and independent, non-profit space for articulation that integrates the various sectors of civil society and social movements in the Dominican Republic. The For Ciudadano is made up of approximately 200 organizations, articulated through an Assembly, a body that meets annually to define its priorities, objectives and annual Work Plan. At an organizational level, they also have a Collegiate Committee, made up of CIPROS (which currently covers the coordination role), Ciudad Alternativa and IDEAC; and with 13 organizations, which make up the Monitoring Committee.

Foro Ciudadano as a space for open and participatory plural articulation, of citizens, who make up the various sectors of civil society in the country, promotes participatory democracy, freedom, transparency, social and gender equity.

The mission of Foro Ciudadano is to work on the articulation of Dominican social movements, through a space for social participation to defend citizen rights; seeking to propose, demand, participate and influence the definition of the national public agenda and monitor public policies that contribute to improving the quality of life of the population; based on the empowerment of citizens and their organizations.

SDGS & Targets

Goal 5

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

5.1

End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere

5.1.1

Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce and monitor equality and non‑discrimination on the basis of sex

5.2

Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation

5.2.1

Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age

5.2.2

Proportion of women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to sexual violence by persons other than an intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by age and place of occurrence

5.3

Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation

5.3.1

Proportion of women aged 20-24 years who were married or in a union before age 15 and before age 18

5.3.2

Proportion of girls and women aged 15-49 years who have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting, by age

5.4

Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate

5.4.1

Proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work, by sex, age and location

5.5

Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life

5.5.1

Proportion of seats held by women in (a) national parliaments and (b) local governments

5.5.2

Proportion of women in managerial positions

5.6

Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences

5.6.1

Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use and reproductive health care

5.6.2

Number of countries with laws and regulations that guarantee full and equal access to women and men aged 15 years and older to sexual and reproductive health care, information and education

5.a

Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws

5.a.1

(a) Proportion of total agricultural population with ownership or secure rights over agricultural land, by sex; and (b) share of women among owners or rights-bearers of agricultural land, by type of tenure

5.a.2

Proportion of countries where the legal framework (including customary law) guarantees women’s equal rights to land ownership and/or control

5.b

Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women

5.b.1

Proportion of individuals who own a mobile telephone, by sex

5.c

Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels

5.c.1

Proportion of countries with systems to track and make public allocations for gender equality and women’s empowerment

Goal 8

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

8.1

Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries

8.1.1

Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita

8.2

Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors

8.2.1

Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person

8.3

Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services

8.3.1

Proportion of informal employment in total employment, by sector and sex

8.4

Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead

8.4.1

Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP

8.4.2

Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP

8.5

By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value

8.5.1

Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age and persons with disabilities

8.5.2

Unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities

8.6

By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training

8.6.1

Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment or training

8.7

Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms

8.7.1

Proportion and number of children aged 5‑17 years engaged in child labour, by sex and age

8.8

Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment

8.8.1

Fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers, by sex and migrant status

8.8.2

Level of national compliance with labour rights (freedom of association and collective bargaining) based on International Labour Organization (ILO) textual sources and national legislation, by sex and migrant status

8.9

By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products

8.9.1

Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate

8.10

Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all

8.10.1

(a) Number of commercial bank branches per 100,000 adults and (b) number of automated teller machines (ATMs) per 100,000 adults

8.10.2

Proportion of adults (15 years and older) with an account at a bank or other financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider

8.a

Increase Aid for Trade support for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, including through the Enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries

8.a.1

Aid for Trade commitments and disbursements

8.b

By 2020, develop and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization

8.b.1

Existence of a developed and operationalized national strategy for youth employment, as a distinct strategy or as part of a national employment strategy

Goal 10

Reduce inequality within and among countries

10.1

By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average

10.1.1

Growth rates of household expenditure or income per capita among the bottom 40 per cent of the population and the total population

10.2

By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status

10.2.1

Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income, by sex, age and persons with disabilities

10.3

Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard

10.3.1

Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed within the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law

10.4

Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality

10.4.1

Labour share of GDP

10.4.2

Redistributive impact of fiscal policy

10.5

Improve the regulation and monitoring of global financial markets and institutions and strengthen the implementation of such regulations

10.5.1

Financial Soundness Indicators

10.6

Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in decision-making in global international economic and financial institutions in order to deliver more effective, credible, accountable and legitimate institutions

10.6.1

Proportion of members and voting rights of developing countries in international organizations

10.7

Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies

10.7.1

Recruitment cost borne by employee as a proportion of montlhy income earned in country of destination

10.7.2

Number of countries with migration policies that facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people

10.7.3

Number of people who died or disappeared in the process of migration towards an international destination

10.7.4

Proportion of the population who are refugees, by country of origin

10.a

Implement the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, in accordance with World Trade Organization agreements

10.a.1

Proportion of tariff lines applied to imports from least developed countries and developing countries with zero-tariff

10.b

Encourage official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct investment, to States where the need is greatest, in particular least developed countries, African countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their national plans and programmes

10.b.1

Total resource flows for development, by recipient and donor countries and type of flow (e.g. official development assistance, foreign direct investment and other flows)

10.c

By 2030, reduce to less than 3 per cent the transaction costs of migrant remittances and eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5 per cent

10.c.1

Remittance costs as a proportion of the amount remitted

Goal 16

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

16.1

Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere

16.1.1

Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex and age

16.1.2

Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population, by sex, age and cause

16.1.3

Proportion of population subjected to (a) physical violence, (b) psychological violence and/or (c) sexual violence in the previous 12 months

16.1.4

Proportion of population that feel safe walking alone around the area they live after dark

16.2

End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children

16.2.1

Proportion of children aged 1–17 years who experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers in the past month

16.2.2

Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age and form of exploitation

16.2.3

Proportion of young women and men aged 18–29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18

16.3

Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

16.3.1

Proportion of victims of (a) physical, (b) psychological and/or (c) sexual violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms

16.3.2

Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of overall prison population

16.3.3

Proportion of the population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism

16.4

By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime

16.4.1

Total value of inward and outward illicit financial flows (in current United States dollars)

16.4.2

Proportion of seized, found or surrendered arms whose illicit origin or context has been traced or established by a competent authority in line with international instruments

16.5

Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms

16.5.1

Proportion of persons who had at least one contact with a public official and who paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials, during the previous 12 months

16.5.2

Proportion of businesses that had at least one contact with a public official and that paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials during the previous 12 months

16.6

Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels

16.6.1

Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar)

16.6.2

Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services

16.7

Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels

16.7.1

Proportions of positions in national and local institutions, including (a) the legislatures; (b) the public service; and (c) the judiciary, compared to national distributions, by sex, age, persons with disabilities and population groups

16.7.2

Proportion of population who believe decision-making is inclusive and responsive, by sex, age, disability and population group

16.8

Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance

16.8.1

Proportion of members and voting rights of developing countries in international organizations

16.9

By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration

16.9.1

Proportion of children under 5 years of age whose births have been registered with a civil authority, by age

16.10

Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements

16.10.1

Number of verified cases of killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and torture of journalists, associated media personnel, trade unionists and human rights advocates in the previous 12 months

16.10.2

Number of countries that adopt and implement constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information

16.a

Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime

16.a.1

Existence of independent national human rights institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles

16.b

Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development

16.b.1

Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law

False

Feedback

Action Network

Timeline

01 January 2023 (start date)

31 December 2024 (date of completion)

Entity

Fundación AVSI

SDGs

5 8 10 16

More information

https://forociudadano.do/; https://www.ciprosrd.org/;https://www.avsi.org/en

Countries

N/A

SIDS regions

Caribbean

Samoa pathway priority area

Sustained and Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Economic Growth with Decent Work for All
Gender Equality and Womenâ€™s Empowerment
Social Development
Means of Implementation, including Partnerships
Monitoring and Accountability

Contact Information

Mario , AVSI Dominican Republic Country Representative

mario.difrancesco@avsi.org