National Endowment for Democracy
Grants >> Grantee Spotlight: Citizenship Forum
Middle East and North Africa
2004 Middle East and North Africa Program Descriptions:
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Bahrain
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Iran
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Jordan
Lebanon
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Middle East Regional

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Since its founding in 1999 Citizenship Forum (CF) has emerged as one of Morocco’s most effective NGOs.  Established to create a much needed forum for civic engagement in Morocco’s democratic transition, CF has developed a range of programs that raise public awareness of the democratic process, develop relationships between citizens and officials at the municipal level and encourage youth participation in the development of democracy in Morocco.

Citizenship Forum One of CF’s most recognized projects is its Monitors for Democratic Transition program.  As the first independent democracy watchdog institution in the country, the program monitors and evaluates Morocco’s political transition through four working groups that track political, economic and socio-cultural trends. Using a comprehensive framework of indicators, including relations between government branches, political adherence to the 1996 constitution, transparency in government institutions and the private sector, the provision of social services, and pluralism in culture and religion, a team of researchers collects data, conducts field research and compiles an annual report that is distributed to political and civic organizations and academic and media centers. This systematic approach to documenting and researching Morocco’s democratic transition from December 1996 and closely monitoring current developments has helped establish clear benchmarks to measure future progress or backsliding.

CF is also working to encourage citizen cooperation in planning social and economic development projects and promote collaboration with Rabat municipality officials. Under CF’s guidance, over 40 civil society activists and local businessmen formed a network of local civic associations to monitor and follow-up on municipal plans and projects. The civic associations serve as a bridge linking the interests and needs of citizens with the programs and projects of the local government.

Also in 2004, CF embarked on a collaborative relationship with the Ministry of Education. CF created 30 high school civic clubs to increase youth awareness of, and participation in, civic advocacy activities. In addition to weekly roundtable discussions on topics pertaining to democracy, pluralism and participation, students are also involved in public awareness and advocacy campaigns on poverty elimination and tolerance.

Through its multifaceted approach, Citizenship Forum remains one of the most effective NGOs in Morocco and continues to be held in high regard by other Moroccan and international NGOs. Because of the positive impact of many of its programs, CF has become a leading voice in regional and international NGO forums on reform and democratization in the Middle East.


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