2009 annual report

Togo

Association Féminine la Lumière (AFEL)
$39,080
To promote citizens’ rights and responsibilities in the prefecture of Avé in the Plateaux region and encourage rural populations, especially women, to register for birth and marriage certificates. AFEL will address the lack of understanding in rural areas of the usefulness of documents that prove citizenship and allow access to resources. AFEL will train 30 paralegals who will help 1,000 people from Avé obtain birth, marriage and death certificates.

Centre d’Observation et de Promotion de l’Etat de Droit (COPED)
$41,342
To build the capacity of 450 traditional leaders from 15 departments whose roles are outlined in the decentralization law. COPED will organize a series of trainings for traditional leaders, local communities, and prefects that will address political pluralism and the importance of traditional leaders in peace building, traditional rule in modern political systems, and the legitimacy of traditional rule in electoral systems.

Concertation pour un Togo Démocratique (COTOD)
$52,991
To create a community radio station, Radio Citoyenne, in Ahépé that will air programs aimed at promoting civic education and strengthen the role of NGOs and local communities in the democratic process. COTOD is a consortium of 15 NGOs researching, documenting, training, and advocating for human rights, rule of law, good governance, education, health, and the environment.

La Conscience
$36,460
To encourage voter participation in pre-election dialogue and contribution to peaceful February 2010 presidential elections. La Conscience will train 600 community leaders from the country’s 30 departments on the electoral process, electoral laws, election observation, monitoring and reporting voter attitude during the electoral process. La Conscience will select 300 media personnel representing a cross section of community radio stations and newspapers for trainings that will focus on the role of the media before, during, and after elections.