France Empower NGOs to Combat Child Abuse, Conflict, Urban Displacement

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, Nigeria 2015 Election Wednesday, November 8th, 2017

By Eric Ojo, Abuja

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Efforts aimed at combating child sexual abuse, conflict, urban displacement and strengthening the electoral process in Nigeria have received a boost from the government of France through its Embassy in Nigeria.

This development is sequel to the recent approval of grants to four indigenous Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) by the French Embassy after receiving close to 400 applications.

The awards which is under the aegis of the Innovative Projects by Civil Society and Collaborating Actors (PISCCA) programme is aimed at helping CSOs to build the capacity needed to set up local initiatives.

The allocated budget under this interventionist programme, also finances micro projects in the area of development and poverty alleviation being carried out by CSOs. The 2016-2018 allocation targets projects that have a coalition and capacity building component.

PISCCA is a successor of the former Social Development Fund which was last implemented in Nigeria between 2013 and 2016 and funded 9 projects covering a wide range of sectors of intervention, including livelihood activities, promotion of human rights and access to water.

In line with the current socio-political and economic context, some critical areas which include, socio-economic development and professional integration of women and youths as well as human rights, citizen mobilization and inclusive participation in public debate, have been duly prioritized.

According to a statement issued in Abuja by Damilola Ayodeji, Press Officer/Attaché de presse of the French Embassy, one of the NGOs that got the PISCCA grants is that of Sexual Offences Awareness And Victims Rehabilitation Initiative with a project title: “Youth Advocates Project Against Child Sexual Abuses”.

Similarly, the initiative on Pastoral Resolve is to work on a project aimed at strengthening traditional conflict resolution through revenue generating activities. The title of the project is: “Improving livelihoods and strengthening of community institution for peace and security in the rural areas”, the statement added.

Another NGO, Spaces For Youth Development And Social Change (Spaces For Change) also received the grant with a project title, Campaign Against Urban Displacement. This is an aid and sensitization project for victims of forced expulsion from urban centres.

The NGO working as an Election Monitor equally got the award which is targeted at strengthening citizen’s participation in Nigeria’s three remaining Governorship elections before the 2019 General elections. “This project’s objective is to improve popular participation in the electoral process through training in election observation and advocacy”, the statement further explained.