Dili, april 12, 2023 (TATOLI) — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and nine local non-governmental organizations released the results of a 2023 research study on critical issues affecting Timorese.
The research covered wide-ranging and important topics affecting the Timorese people, including access to education and health for people with disabilities; community dispute resolution; water access; protection of children from sexual violence; access to vocational training for rural youth; community monitoring of local infrastructure projects; and access to markets for rural agricultural producers.
While the Study results will be used to improve advocacy and collaboration with the government to address these issues and better serve the Timorese people.
At the release ceremony, USAID Acting Mission Director Rebecca Robinson said this is the second round of research completed by the NGOs to support the development of evidence-based policy recommendations for Timorese policymakers: “The United States is proud to partner with Timor-Leste to advance the development of a strong and vibrant civil society, which is a critical pillar of democracies,”
“The high-quality research combined with thoughtful and collaborative advocacy strategies represent the increased professionalism and capacity of Timorese NGOs and will help policymakers craft well-informed, evidenced-based policies to strengthen development outcomes in Timor-Leste, By sharing the outcomes of their research, the NGOs are building stronger ties with government officials, stakeholders, and other decision-makers and demonstrating their value as critical partners for development and democracy in Timor-Leste.” said Acting USAID Mission Director Rebecca Robinson, to journalists at Suai Room, Timor-Plaza, this Wednesday
Through sharing the research with government counterparts and key stakeholders, the NGOs hope to strengthen their partnership in policy making and provide greater visibility to the needs and priorities of the citizens that they represent.
Forum ONG Timor-Leste (FONGTIL), is one of nine local non-governmental organizations involved in this research activity.
FONGTIL took the responsibility for carrying out the auditory on some essential sectors, composed of Education, Basic infrastructure, Agriculture increasing local products, and Health identifying the lack of health facilities.
The Executive Director of FONGTIL, Valentim Da Costa Lopes said (FONGTIL), is an umbrella for all Timorese local NGOs to identify some challenges encountered by the Timorese people across the country: “It is great that over 300 members of FONGTIL have been involved in the research activity,”
Lopes also hopes that the result of the research can be considered by the government of Timor-Leste to be used for more improvement for all essential sectors that impact the welfare of Timorese people.
In addition, the other NGOs supported by the USAID/Timor-Leste NGO Advocacy for Good Governance Activity are Asosiasaun Defisiénsia Timor-Leste (ADTL), Belun, the Community Based Rehabilitation Network Timor-Leste (CBRNTL), Fundasaun Hafoun Timor-Leste (FHTL), Judicial System Monitoring Programme (JSMP), Many Hands One Nation (MAHON), Mata Dalan Institute (MDI), and Programa Espesífiku fó Prioridade ba Ema Kiak (PROSPEK).
The USAID/Timor-Leste NGO Advocacy for Good Governance Activity supports Timorese NGOs increase their organizational and administrative capacities; improving their advocacy, research, analysis, and networking capacities for better response to constituents; fostering more diverse and regular revenue streams; and creating an enabling environment that fosters independent NGOs.
So far, The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will contribute nearly $92 million between 2021 and 2025 to strengthen Timor-Leste’s economy and governance. Since Timor-Leste’s independence, USAID has contributed more than $323 million to support inclusive and peaceful development, leading to a more prosperous, healthy, and self-reliant Timor-Leste.
Journalist: José Belarmino De Sá
Editor: Nelia B.
