Inclusive Civic Education (ICE)

USAID conducted a review of Moroccan election processes and results, which indicated that civic engagement remains an unfulfilled priority. During interviews and focus group discussions, respondents across all categories of stakeholders were nearly unanimous in the need for increased civic education. Based on findings from the review, USAID/Morocco designed the Inclusive Civic Education (ICE) program to promote citizen participation and engagement in civic life, particularly focusing on women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWD). Additionally, ICE aims to improve the ability of Moroccan political institutions to inclusively meet the needs of the Moroccan people.

USAID RESPONSE

USAID is providing grants to three civil society organizations (CSOs) to increase civic education and awareness of the roles of citizens in civic life, especially among women, youth, and PWDs. Citizens gain a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities in the democratic process, which will result in increased participation and a greater sense of social cohesion. This program is integral to USAID/Morocco objectives and complements ongoing and future projects to increase inclusive socio-economic development in Morocco. Furthermore, ICE and its partners aspire for broader adoption of approaches and interventions that prove effective and align with government priorities.

Through these grants, USAID is supporting the CSOs in promoting inclusive civic education by:

Increasing awareness, engagement, and participation of marginalized populations in governance and policymaking through civic education, including public resource management.
Enhancing public trust and confidence of marginalized populations in the ability of elected officials to govern and realize policy changes that are responsive to the needs of marginalized populations, with a focus on youth, women, and PWDs.
Improving perceptions of the targeted marginalized populations towards the political process.

RESULTS ACHIEVED

Enhanced awareness of and capacity to make effective use of existing citizen participation tools (i.e., access to information requests, petitions, local advisory bodies) among participants in targeted regions and communes, particularly youth, women, and PWDs.
Creation and utilization of multi-stakeholder partnerships, linkages, and other mechanisms, bringing together citizens, CSOs, local government institutions, and others, to advance civic participation initiatives.
CSOs are anchored in their communities and have the ability to carry out advocacy initiatives, and leaders are well equipped to influence decisions through consultative bodies.

FACTS AND FIGURES

IMPLEMENTING PARTNERS AND ACTIVITIES:

Mouvement Alternatives Citoyennes (ALCI) in Fez – Listen to My Voice activity
Association Jeunesse Tamdoult pour la Culture et le Développement (AJTCD) in Tata – Citizen Lab activity
The Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis (MIPA) in Rabat – Open University for Citizenship – Learn to Act activity