EU donates 3.2 million euros for civil society

Chief of the European Union (EU) delegation in Tunis Adrianus Koetsenrujter said that the EU earmarked, after the January 14, 2011 Revolution, funds under the shape of a donation worth 3.2 million euros (about 6 million Tunisian dinars), for financing programmes and activities of Tunisian civil society associations and organisations. This donation, he explained, is a response to the requirements of the democratic transition, after the Revolution. During a meeting with the press, on Wednesday in Tunis, Mr. Koetsenrujter said these funds are to be dedicated to funding 16 programmes and initiatives carried out by organisations created before the Revolution, as well as European operators as part of partnership with Tunisian organisations. These programmes touch in particular the underprivileged regions in 14 governorates. They aim to strengthen democratic partnership, good progress of elections, consecration of freedom of information, enhancing women's rights, support of civil society in protecting citizens' rights and boosting democracy. The organisations to benefit from this donation are, notably, the Tunisian Women Association for Research and Development, the Tunisian Democratic Women Association, Tunisian Journalists' Union, Tunisian Human Rights Defence League, the Press and Information Science Institute, the Tunisian Radio and Television Institute, Radio Express FM, "Ness El Founoun" Association, as well as other recently created associations. During the news conference, associations and organisations benefiting from these funds presented their programmes.