Advancing Civic Engagement in South Africa

The USDA Southern Africa has issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding initiatives to advance civic engagement in South Africa, aimed at gathering input from interested organizations about potential activities. It highlights ongoing challenges in public participation, citizen dissatisfaction, and declining voter turnout that undermine democratic values despite a progressive constitutional framework. The anticipated program objectives focus on strengthening civil society’s ability to educate citizens on their rights, enhancing community engagement in governance, improving municipal responsiveness, and increasing access to resources for local development. The RFI seeks feedback on these objectives and particular barriers to community engagement, as well as recommendations for partnerships to bolster civic participation. Respondents are encouraged to provide insights by February 6, 2025, with detailed responses limited to seven pages. This information is intended to inform future designs of civic engagement programs that can effectively address the needs and perspectives of South African citizens, especially considering the upcoming local and national elections.