We are a key partner in national development frameworks through facilitating capacity building for all main CSO networks through the United Nations Country Team. Our support to CSOs and the Government of DRC through workshops and training has created an ongoing dialogue about the strategic planning of national and provincial development outcomes in the PRSP II, the Provincial Action Plans (PAPs) and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the DRC.
The roadmap and organization of the CSOs into 20 thematic groups in line with the socio-economic priorities already established by the DRC Government and donor groups forms the core basis of current strategy of Civil Affairs to strengthen civil society.
Currently, Civil Affairs is focused on bolstering the development of thematic groups at a provincial level in all 11 provinces, which will improve coordination of development planning and increase overall involvement of local population. From July 2010 to July 2011, we have supported this initiative in Kinshasa, North Kivu, Bandundu, Kasia Occidental and South Kivu. Civil Affairs also supports civil society to undertake civic education, election monitoring and other relevant training leading up to the 2011 national elections in Democratic Republic of Congo.