The “Extractives for Community Development” project, implemented by MIRAC with funding from EWMI’s USAID-funded Civil Society Strengthening Activity (CSSA), has had a transformative impact on local businesses in Uganda’s oil-rich Albertine region. Through the story of Bijampora Business Venture Limited, the video below showcases how local businesses are benefiting from training on business registration, local content laws, and securing contracts in the oil and gas sector. The documentary also features insights from MIRAC’s Executive Director on efforts to empower communities, enhance transparency, and resolve land compensation issues, ensuring that local citizens actively participate and benefit from extractive industry developments.
Cultivating Opportunities for Youth in Uganda
Shy smile, calm demeanor — Alexander Opiyo’s warm personality carefully masks the hurdles he has had to overcome to provide for himself and support his aging parents, especially for a young man barely in his twenties.
“I used to go around providing casual labor for very little pay. Weeding gardens, carrying farm produce, and things like that”, he says, “In a month I would make about 20,000 Uganda Shillings (USD 6)”, he says.
Alexander’s plight is very relatable for many youths from his home district of Nwoya, Northern Uganda. Nwoya is still tardily recovering from a two-decade war that deeply scarred the region, creating a lasting economic and social void. Due to disrupted education and infrastructure destruction during the war, many youths lack the skills or capital to pursue sustainable livelihoods. With the joy in his voice almost palpable, Alexander shares that he feels like the sun is finally starting to shine in his life.
“I have started a small poultry project, and now, because of the agricultural techniques I have learned, I also get occasionally hired to work on bigger farms that require modern farming knowledge. They pay a lot more than I used to earn”, he smiles.
A patchwork of fertile fields and untamed wilderness, Nwoya’s virgin lands provide a remarkable opportunity for agriculture, as evidenced by the countless thousands of acres of foreign-owned plantations stretching to the Nile River on the horizon. Land is, therefore, a critical livelihood resource in the district, yet limited access hinders youth’s ability to engage in agriculture – and for those with access, lack of modern farming skills greatly affects their yields.
EWMI’s USAID/Uganda Civil Society Strengthening Activity (CSSA), through the Ugandan organization Young Farmers Champions Network (YOFCHAN), is empowering youths to overcome these challenges by providing access to land and high-quality agricultural inputs, as well as hands-on training in modern farming techniques and financial literacy. The project also provides young people with market access and associated services such as financial linkages and access to government programs that they could benefit from.
To achieve this, a 30-acre Youth Agricultural Park (YAP) has been set up in Nwoya district.
“At the park, we were taught advanced agricultural skills in areas like proper crop management, fertilizer application, irrigation, and many other modern farming practices, and I feel like I am now an expert, especially in growing watermelon and maize”, says Alexander, who is one of the 75 pioneer beneficiaries of the project.
“I was finally able to move out of my sister’s house and rent my own space”, says a delighted Alexander, “I am also able to support my parents more, and now I am saving to rent a garden of my own, and expand my chicken business – soon I will be able to marry and start a family of my own”.
Besides the agricultural skills, Alexander and his colleagues at the park were also trained in entrepreneurship, building their capacity in business management and marketing.
“We were also able to connect the youth to the district leadership to make it easy for them to walk in and ask for the services they need from the local government”, says Tumwebaze Khamutima, YOFCHAN’s Executive Director. “We supported 31 youths from the project to apply for the government Parish Development Model loan, with I5 so far successful. They have rented land and already planted their own maize and watermelon gardens using the expertise they got from the park”.
Expanding Opportunities for Women Smallholder Farmers in Uganda
In Uganda, most households depend on agriculture for food security, nutrition, and income. In many communities, these smallholder farmers are traditionally women. With changes in climate patterns, smallholder farmers are facing many new challenges and are often unsure where to get the assistance they need. Through the USAID/Uganda Civil Society Strengthening Activity (CSSA), EWMI and the National Association for Women’s Action in Development (NAWAD) are working with women smallholder farmers in Western Uganda to provide them better opportunities to enhance their positioning to benefit from government programs. Please watch this video to learn more about work that is being done to expand opportunities for women smallholder farmers in Mbarara and Rubirizi districts.
Expanding Access to Affordable Medication in Georgia
Despite reforms in Georgia’s healthcare sector over the last two decades, access to affordable medication has remained a top concern of citizens. A 2023 poll found that 68% of Georgians consider the cost of medicine the biggest issue for the healthcare sector. Civil Society Engagement Program (CSEP) in Georgia CSO grantee, Curatio International Foundation (CIF), evaluated recent government reforms to the pharmaceutical sector and how they have impacted Georgian households’ access to medications. After CIF shared their findings and policy recommendations for how to decrease the costs of medication for Georgians, the state’s universal health coverage program was expanded to offer full medication coverage for various chronic diseases. It also launched a web platform that allows Georgians to access information about drug prices, patient rights, state programs, and eligibility for medication-related subsidies.
Photo by Laura Rivera
Strengthening Georgia’s Legal Profession and Justice System
EWMI is proud to support the Georgia Bar Association’s (GBA) “Strengthening Georgia’s Legal Profession and Justice System” project, a comprehensive, two-year capacity development and legal system outreach initiative. The GBA officially announced and launched the project on January 25, 2024 at an event attended by judges, members of the Prosecutor’s Office, representatives of international organizations, and leaders of civil society groups. This initiative, supported through the EWMI-implemented USAID Rule of Law Program (ROLP), will allow the GBA to continue development of its continuous legal education program, expand its bench-bar collaborations, support its Ethics Commission work, and develop a concept for Georgian lawyers to provide pro bono (free) legal assistance to those in need.
In his welcoming comments, David Asatiani, GBA Chairman, expressed gratitude for the ongoing support and partnership of the USAID Rule of Law Program. He acknowledged the essential role USAID has played in GBA development over the years, sharing credit for many of GBA’s achievements. During the event, Tamta Devdariani, Head of the GBA’s Department of Analytical and Committee Activities, detailed many of the achievements of the 2022 – 2023 USAID-supported project that enhanced the organizational and analytical capabilities of the GBA’s thematic committees, organized bench-bar meetings, administered the qualification exam for lawyers in an objective and transparent manner, evaluated court case-loads, and suggested evaluation criteria for first and second instance court judge candidates.
In her opening remarks, Lisa Kovack, Acting Director of USAID/Georgia’s Office of Democracy, Rights, and Governance, emphasized USAID’s commitment to supporting the rule of law in Georgia. She shared her admiration for the progress GBA has made over the last decade. She expressed confidence that the Strengthening Georgia’s Legal Profession and Justice program will help continue GBA’s development and reinforce the rule of law in Georgia.
Increasing Access to Preschool Education in Georgia’s Remote Regions
Georgian law mandates the universal right to early education for all Georgian residents, but research conducted by Civil Society Engagement Program (CSEP) in Georgia grantee, Center for Civic Activities (CCA), showed that for residents of mountainous and ethnic minority populated areas, this type of access proves to be the exception rather than the rule. CCA went door to door in more than 30 villages in these areas, engaging local activists and meeting with residents to help them advocate for their children’s right to early education. In many of these areas, CCA and the CSO Platform Salam helped locals use petitions — a first in the history of the municipalities — to assert their rights. After this campaign, the state announced in early 2023 that it would allocate 1.3 billion GEL for the renovation of 555 kindergartens and the construction of 330 new ones – including some in ethnic-minority populated villages that had previously lacked access to their own kindergarten.
Photo by Laura Rivera
Supporting Child-Friendly Justice in Georgia
With the efforts of Rights Georgia and the support of the EWMI-implemented USAID Rule of Law Program in Georgia (ROLP), another precedent of child-friendly justice was established in the case of a minor child whose biological father initially evaded caregiving and responsibility.
The case involved a five-year-old child whose birth certificate lacked information about her father. The child’s biological father only assumed responsibility after paternity was established through a court-ordered medical examination, litigated by Rights Georgia. Seeking legal assistance, the child’s mother approached the organization, facing economic challenges that prevented her from independently conducting the necessary tests to determine the child’s paternity.
On February 13, 2023, Rights Georgia submitted a lawsuit to the Tbilisi City Court, requesting the establishment of paternity, amendments to the birth certificate, and the imposition of alimony. The legal battle highlighted the economic struggles faced by single mothers, especially when essential evidence such as DNA testing incurs substantial costs.
Despite the financial obstacles, the lawyers of Rights Georgia filed a petition on May 1, 2023, arguing that the alleged father should cover the expenses for the paternity examination. Through their efforts, Judge Maya Kutkhashvili of the Tbilisi City Court agreed that assigning the costs to the father was crucial for establishing paternity and ensuring the woman’s access to justice. The judge mandated a biological examination, and the defendant was directed to prepay the associated costs with the ruling of September 29, 2023.
This landmark case serves as a precedent in safeguarding the child’s best interests and upholding a high standard of child-friendly justice. Unfortunately, many single mothers face limitations in accessing justice due to the substantial costs associated with obtaining crucial evidence, especially DNA testing, leading them to forgo legal actions in numerous instances.
The Levan Samkharauli National Forensic Bureau confirmed the defendant’s biological fatherhood through a relevant report, with the costs for DNA testing being covered by the defendant. On December 18, 2023, Judge Maya Kutkhashvili partially granted the claim, recognizing the defendant as the child’s biological father. The necessity to change the birth certificate to indicate the defendant as the child’s father was established, and the defendant was ordered to pay alimony of 300 GEL (instead of the requested 550 GEL) from the moment of filing the lawsuit until the child reaches adulthood.
“I can’t put into words how emotional all of this is for me. This is the happiest day in my life since the birth of my child, as now I can demand providing my child with sufficient financial support and caregiving,” exclaimed the mother, expressing her joy upon receiving the results of the biological examination.
According to Rights Georgia, this case holds particular significance for access to justice for single mothers, demonstrating the possibility of making the presumed father prepay the expenses of DNA testing. It serves as an example that single mothers are not alone in seeking justice and managing childcare despite economic challenges.
Increasing Inclusive Access to Justice in Uzbekistan
The path to fair and accessible justice does not look the same to all justice seekers, and in particular can be filled with obstacles for those from marginalized and vulnerable communities. In recognition of these challenges, the USAID Judicial Strengthening Activity in Uzbekistan (JSSA) has focused targeted efforts toward increasing the practical legal literacy of traditionally-marginalized groups in Uzbekistan, including women and persons with disabilities. These initiatives are part of the larger effort of JSSA — implemented by the East-West Management Institute and partnered with Street Law, Inc. — to help improve the inclusive delivery of justice for all in Uzbekistan.
To empower disadvantaged groups to more confidently interact with the legal system and to share their learning with their local communities, JSSA has hosted a series of Legal Life Skills trainings of trainers focused on essential legal literacy and facilitation skills. Designed and delivered by Street Law. Inc., these trainings have partnered with Uzbek NGOs to build the skills of leaders in affected communities to both better understand their legal rights and protections, and to deliver follow-on trainings and awareness activities in their home regions.
JSSA organized the first Legal Life Skills training of trainers in April 2022 in cooperation with women-focused NGO representatives from across Uzbekistan, including Mehrjon NGO, which provides social and legal support services to women and girls in Fergana Valley. Each training is built around a dual purpose—equipping the participants with the practical legal knowledge relevant to common justice issues for their constituencies, and increasing participants’ capacity to share this knowledge with their own communities long after the training concludes. To further these goals, participants delved into the relevant details of Uzbek law regarding women’s rights in marriage, divorce, and domestic violence—some of the most common justice problems facing women in their constituencies. Street Law Inc. experts also delivered lessons and led practice opportunities on interactive teaching methods, further engaging with participants on how to deliver their own trainings in participatory and inclusive ways.
Upon completion of this training, Mehrjon NGO has already designed and delivered three follow-on trainings in Fergana Valley and Kokand, with modest financial and logistical support from JSSA. As a respected local voice, Mehrjon leaders were able to convene key stakeholders responsible for women’s protection and prevention of gender-based violence at these trainings—mahalla council leaders, representatives of local line ministries, and other community decision makers. Mehrjon leaders reported that the interactive tools and models they developed during their Legal Life Skills training directly equipped them to better engage their community members in practical learning and discussion. JSSA will continue to support Mehrjon in these and other related efforts to protect and provide for vulnerable women in their communities.
JSSA continued its Legal Life Skills training of trainers series in December 2022 with ‘Sharoit Plus’ Public Association of People with Disabilities. As an organization, Sharoit Plus unites not only persons with disabilities, but also those who want to help them, to create a barrier-free and inclusive society for all in Uzbekistan. “The NGO operates as both an educational facility, and as a place to provide people with legal support and increased access to justice. For many citizens with disabilities, Sharoit Plus is their only way to get legal aid,” emphasizes Mukhabbat Rakhimova, Chairperson of the organization.
Through the training, participants learned about how to protect their rights while navigating the Uzbek legal system, including an emphasis on the rights of women with disabilities. EWMI’s partner Street Law, Inc. prioritized a participatory approach when delivering the training, both incorporating lived experience of participants into the training methodology and focusing on how participants could advocate on behalf of the disability community in Uzbekistan. By bringing in local legal expertise from Street Law Trainer and Associate Professor at Tashkent State University of Law Botrijon Kosimov, JSSA tailored the training to the specific legal and social context, and sought to build local capacity at multiple levels.
Shariot Plus representative Murod Egamov emphasized the importance of inclusive legal literacy efforts like these: “People have to know their rights and legal opportunities. I myself did not know many things before this training event. By participating in such training sessions, me and my colleagues had a great opportunity to gain useful knowledge and learn new skills.”
After completing the training, participant Nargiza Arzieva also noted the impact of connecting with other disability activists on these subjects: “I was so inspired by other participants! We had a chance to share our knowledge with others and learn how to continue developing our skills.” Nargiza, who has several thousand followers on social media, uses her platform to speak on disability within the Uzbek context. “In my opinion, social media platforms for our legal support knock down barriers of time and distance, both educating and assisting the public. It’s the future,” she notes.
Nargiza is currently studying at the Tashkent University of Information Technologies as the recipient of a Ministry for Development of Information Technologies and Communications academic scholarship. Since training with JSSA, Nargiza has also been appointed as a Coordinator for Youth Cooperation at the Center for People with Disabilities in Shakhrisabz City, located in Kashkadarya region. “My role entails providing free consultations to young individuals with disabilities on various matters, including education, social aid applications, housing arrangements, labor issues, and credit issues,” she added. JSSA plans to provide continuing support to Nargiza and other Shariot Plus participants to educate and advocate on behalf of their communities, as part of its wider push for inclusive justice across Uzbekistan.
Enhancing the Quality of Life for People Living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda
The National Forum of People Living with HIV/AIDS Network in Uganda implements the Treatment Literacy Program to ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS know their status and regularly take their medications, allowing them to live healthier and happy lives. With funding from PEPFAR, East-West Management Institute’s USAID/Uganda Civil Society Strengthening Activity (CSSA) supports the National Forum and the Treatment Literacy Program as part of CSSA’s mission to support Ugandan CSOs and contribute to the improved development outcomes in four thematic areas including health, with particular attention paid to achieving Uganda’s HIV/AIDS’ reduction goals. The video below follows Aloyo Sharon and her journey as one of the 28,000 people enrolled in the Treatment Literacy Program.
Creating Sustainable Partnerships for Recognition and Empowerment of Youth in North Macedonia
After five years of supporting the Youth Civic Engagement Award, USAID has successfully handed over the torch to the Agency for Youth and Sports of North Macedonia and the National Youth Council, in terms of the leadership of the annual award process. This change reflects meaningful cooperation and partnerships among the donor community, youth organizations, and public institutions. Among its primary objectives, the Civic Engagement Project (CEP) focuses on increasing and sustaining youth engagement in public life in North Macedonia.
Within its initial 5 years, the Civic Engagement Project (CEP) held five annual editions of the Youth Civic Engagement Award, continuously recognizing and supporting the work of exemplary young men and women (under the age of 29), informal youth groups, and youth civil society organizations and youth civil society alliances and networks. Until now, 24 awards were given out to the respective honorees, therefore valorizing the hard work of youth activists, addressing a wide specter of issues – from mental health, food waste and COVID-19 response, to cross-border youth cooperation, gender equality in media and animal welfare. This award not only celebrated the success of young people and showcased the importance of youth engagement in all spheres of society, but also–in the form of grant support– ensured that the initiatives and actions they were recognized for, were able to sustain their implementation, thus ensuring a lasting impact on society. Aside from this, the process was lauded for its fairness and transparency, where the general public selected the awardees via public voting, ensuring all outstanding nominees received greater visibility and recognition for their efforts.
At the fifth Youth Civic Engagement Award Ceremony, taking place June 4, 2021, and based on the Memorandum of Understanding between the Agency for Youth and Sports, and the National Youth Council of Macedonia, signed on March 3, 2021, both Mr. Naumche Mojsovski, Director of the Agency for Youth and Sports, the national institution responsible for youth affairs in North Macedonia, and Ms. Marija Krstevska, President of the National Youth Council, affirmed the established partnership and their commitment to build upon USAID’s legacy and continue recognizing youth with the Youth Civic Engagement Award, beyond the USAID support.
On June 21, 2022, the Agency for Youth and Sports, in partnership with the National Youth Council of Macedonia, officially launched the call for nomination for the sixth Youth Civic Engagement Award. The sixth edition of the award fully replicates the previously established process within the Civic Engagement Project (CEP), starting with the nominations phase, the public voting phase, and honoring the awardees in the three categories – individual category of youth (aged 15-29), informal youth groups (consisting of at least 3 members) and youth civil society organizations. The Agency for Youth and Sports and the National Youth Council of Macedonia will announce the winners at the Youth Civic Engagement Award Ceremony on August 12, 2022, marking the International Youth Day.
As an added value to this process is the fact that the Agency for Youth and Sports, in cooperation with the Government and additional national institutions and civil society organizations will recognize youth engagement through a series of youth events, aptly titled ‘Youth Week’, starting on August 8, and culminating on August 12 with the Youth Civic Engagement Award Ceremony.
USAID through CEP, has affirmed the importance of youth engagement in addressing issues of public concern, and has facilitated the development of partnerships between relevant national institutions and youth civil society organization in ensuring continuity of the Youth Civic Engagement Award, as a sustainable mechanism that recognizes and supports youth activists for their efforts. Thanks to the award, both the citizens and the institutions recognize youth’s contribution to society.
Erik Janowsky, former USAID Country Representative at the fifth Youth Civic Engagement Award Ceremony remarked that “this is a great example of USAID’s core belief that country institutions must be in the lead when it comes to advancing North Macedonia’s sustainable development and well-being. We are excited that the government has chosen to continue this program, fully recognizing its value in empowering you, the future leaders of this country. We look forward to attending next year’s ceremony and witnessing the government’s recognition of youth leadership through the Youth Civic Engagement Award.”