Democratic Governance Fund

Results achieved as of March 2015 include: The Democratic Governance Fund (DGF) has supported 32 initiatives to increase citizens’ say on public issues. The DGF has helped to improve the performance of parliamentary oversight authorities through the development of strategic plans and training modules. Support to UN Women has helped local partners to integrate gender equality considerations into governance programs and national processes. Organizations supported by the DGF are also facilitating civil input into important legislation. For example the Kenya Alliance of Residents Association has set up citizens’ forums in at least 12 counties to discuss new laws that would empower communities. Also support to Friends of Lake Turkana brought together civil society organizations and national and county governments to create a sustainable policy and community dialogue on natural resource management and extraction. In another example the Kenyan Katiba Institute worked with members of the Canadian judiciary to train Kenyan judges on mitigation of conflicts resulting from the implementation of decentralization under Kenya’s new constitution. Other results achieved through the DGF include: promoting peace and justice through social justice films that reached nearly 360 000 people and initiated at least ten community-based dialogues on reconciliation; improving district-level education score cards and educating parents on how to demand better school services; and launching youth clubs at 16 high schools to promote tolerance and national cohesion. These have contributed to the growth of democracy people’s participation in decision making and the implementation of the new Constitution.