Background & Objectives
CEDAR responds to the need for stronger, more resilient civil society in South Africa — especially grassroots, women-led, youth-led, climate-focused, and community-based organisations in underserved areas. It addresses challenges such as inequality, shrinking donor funding, youth unemployment, climate shocks, and limited civic participation.
The action aims to strengthen CSO/CBO capacity to engage meaningfully in policy development, dialogue, advocacy, and accountability, with emphasis on EU-SA partnership priorities including Global Gateway, the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), governance, gender equality, and social inclusion.
Key Activities
- Stakeholder mapping and rolling capacity needs assessments
- Tailored capacity building (training, mentoring, coaching, peer learning, exchanges, study visits, online modules)
- Establishment and facilitation of a representative CSO Sounding Board
- Policy dialogue sessions with the EU, Member States, Government, and other stakeholders
- Help-desk support for EU grantees and grant applicants
- Research, studies, and M&E framework development
- Communication, visibility, and annual strategy reviews
Expected Results
- Strengthened technical, organisational, networking, and advocacy capacities of CSOs/CBOs, particularly grassroots, women-led, and youth-led organisations
- Improved civil society participation in policy dialogue with the South African Government, EU, and Member States
- Enhanced CSO contribution to MIP priorities and EU-SA cooperation agendas
- Establishment of a functional, representative CSO Sounding Board
- Deepened dialogue on Global Gateway, JETP, inclusion, governance, and accountability
- Better support for grantees and stronger foundations for sustainability beyond the assignment
