Democracy International launched Friday Naseej project in Tunisia which is designed to help civil society organisations meet the aspirations of citizens.
The five-year programme is funded by the United States Agency for International Development ($25 million), said Project Director Intisar Qalaa.
The project seeks to bridge the gap between the concerns of Tunisians and the action of civil society, Qalaa said at a ceremony held at the headquarters of DI Tunis office.
The initiative was set in motion following a survey conducted to measure the views of Tunisians on the contribution of civil society to responding to the needs of the population.
Respondents in 24 governorates said their needs were unmet under the initiatives put in place by civil society organisations.
The concerns of Tunisians are mainly economic. Services, infrastructure, social and environment-related issues as well as identity are important.
Price hikes, commodity supply, unemployment, the fight against violence and drugs are top concerns for those polled.
Naomi Rasmussen, the Vice President of Programme Management for Democracy International, said the organisation had embarked in 2012 on efforts to support the electoral process in Tunisia. A particular interest was lent to social affairs as of 2018.
U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia Joey R. Hood emphasised support for initiatives geared towards improving quality of life and expressed consideration to Naseej officials for efforts to help meet the aspirations of the Tunisian society.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse