On this occasion, Marjaana SALL, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Seychelles declared:

-  "I am particularly pleased that through this programme, the European Union is associated with the ongoing reforms in the electoral process. The Seychelles-European Union partnership is based on the shared principles of Democracy, Rule of Law and Respect of Human Rights. We are keen to actively cooperate in these areas. The acquisition of this new car today will facilitate outreach activities to districts and communities conducted by Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (CEPS), who is implementing the project. The acquisition of a car will allow CEPS to carry out the activities under the project "Building capacity for citizens' participation in the democratic process and good governance in Seychelles", including the training of trainers programme'.

Background

In July 2016, the European Union signed a grant contract with CEPS for a total amount of EUR 99 000 (approximately 1 500 000 Seychelles Rupees), whose objective is to assist in increasing fairness, transparency and civic participation in the democratic elections process in Seychelles. This is being achieved by focusing firstly on building civic awareness and capacity in order to ensure citizens' participation in the elections, and secondly on increasing fairness, ethics and transparency in the electoral process via civic education and training.

The project activities consist of:

• developing a training of trainers programme, followed by on-the-ground civic education awareness sessions in communities on the three main islands;
• producing and publicising educational spots, articles and programmes on the national radio, television and newspapers;

providing refresher training courses to 50 local election observers; followed by training of  50 other local election observers; and

• training of political parties on their rights and obligations.

A total duration of the project which is financed by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights Budget Line is 12 months.

The European Union is a strong believer in the active role that Non-State Actors can and should play to accompany governments in the implementation of their development agenda.

The European Union

The European Union is a unique economic and political union between 28 European countries that together cover much of the continent. Today, the EU has a total population of more than 500 million. Within the EU market, people, goods, services and capital move without any barriers. Euro, which is the single currency adopted by 19 Member States, is used each day by over 300 million people. Main institutions include the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers, and the European Commission. Since the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009, the EU has a High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security who heads the European External Action Service. With 139 delegations and offices, the European External Action Service is one of the world's largest diplomatic services. Ms Federica Mogherini is the EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. This year marks 60 years of the signature of the Treaty of Rome which is a founding Treaty of the European Union.

For more information please contact:

Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Seychelles

Political, Press and Information Section

Telephone:        (+230) 207.15.15

Fax:                  (+230) 211.66.24

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