GUINEA BISSAU: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND PROPOSALS

UNCLAS DAKAR 000819 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/EPS, AF/RSA AND AF/W AID/W FOR AFR/WA AND AFR/SD ACCRA FOR USAID/WA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PHUM ECON PREF PU SUBJECT: GUINEA BISSAU: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND PROPOSALS REF: STATE 013790 ¶1. We request USD 41,700 for the FY-2007 Community Development Fund (formerly the Ambassador's Special Self-Help and Democracy and Human Rights Funds) for Guinea-Bissau. Mission priorities follow. ¶2. Proposed self-help priorities are: ¶A. Purchase and installation of a mill for grinding millet. The project will be carried out by the community of Fajonquito, region of Bafata, and benefit primarily women who grind millet by hand. Total cost is USD 5,300. ¶B. Construction of a school in Nhacra. Lack of schools in the village compel students to leave town for an education, and often they do not return. The biggest impact will be on girls who are generally not allowed to leave home for studies. Total cost is USD 10,000. ¶3. If additional funds will be available to support self-help projects in Guinea-Bissau this year, the money can be put to very good use. We propose the following project: ¶A. Construction of a community carpentry shop. The project is proposed by the Carpentry Cooperative of the village of Cuntum Madina. It would benefit young people skilled in carpentry, giving employment and offering opportunities to keep people in the community. Total cost is USD 4,100. ¶4. Our proposed democracy and human rights proposal is: Description: The Human Rights League of Guinea-Bissau is the primary non-governmental organization focused on raising awareness of and defending human rights. It has tirelessly confronted the Government on issues of press freedoms, female genital mutililation, trafficking in children, violence, impunity corruption and other abuses. The League proposes to focus a program on the media to provide training and workshops to help media improve its role as a promoter of dialogue in a democracy. Specific activities include seminars held around the country focused on media's roles and responsibilities in a democracy; production of teaching materials and packets; creation of a plan of action; organization of national debates; and production of radio programs. Specific objectives: Training and awareness raising for media professionals; creation of a professional corps to produce and disseminate information produced; promote a free and fair electoral process for next year's legislative elections; and production and distribution of materials promoting core objectives. Cost: USD 22,300 Location: Nationwide Past DHRF Funding: none Results: Use of media as an instrument for social communication of national issues and conflicts; existence of a professional corps of media professionals trained on democracy promotion; constructive participation of local governments; transparent production of information for public consumption; production of news intended to educate and inform the public. JACKSON