Democracy Funding

Budget: $3,333

Background

Panama's democratic foundation is under severe threat from the relentless march of corporate mining interests. At its core, the government's unwavering support for mining expansion epitomizes corporate colonialism and poses a dire threat to both the nation and its democratic values. An opaque and exploitative contract currently under scrutiny at the National Assembly not only disregards democratic principles but also sets a perilous precedent for future exploitative endeavors. This contract, shrouded in secrecy, cedes vast powers to mining interests, enabling them to lay claim to state and private lands without restraint, even resorting to expropriation if agreements with landowners cannot be reached, undermining community concerns and the rule of law. Furthermore, it sidesteps labor and environmental responsibilities while endowing the company with excessive authority, even violating national sovereignty by restricting airspace and information access indefinitely. The mining expansion epitomizes the exploitation of Panama's resources and the erosion of its democracy by corporate interests, threatening the nation's social and environmental fabric.

In parallel to this peril, indigenous Panamanians are engaged in an unyielding struggle for the recognition of their human and territorial rights. The mining expansion threatens to encroach upon the ancestral lands of these communities, intensifying conflicts over land ownership and resource extraction. This battle is emblematic of the broader fight for justice, inclusivity, and equity, as these communities strive to safeguard their territories and cultural heritage from the encroachment of corporate interests. Their fight for the recognition of their rights is intrinsically tied to the broader endeavor to preserve Panama's ecological and cultural diversity, aligning seamlessly with the urgent mission of nurturing a global network of leaders to confront the pressing challenges of our time.

Project Overview

Description: Our project will empower and deeply connect 15 young leaders, all under the age of 25, hailing from rural, indigenous, and Afro-descendant communities in Panama profoundly affected by the unconstitutional mining expansion and lack of recognition of territorial rights. These emerging leaders will be selected from a group of actively involved youth in opposing the mining expansion and advocating for the recognition of territorial rights.

Objectives:

• Tools & Skills Enhancement: Provide intensive training in public speaking and persuasive communication to 15 young leaders.
• Advocacy Preparation: Prepare these leaders for effective engagement in advocacy processes related to territorial rights and environmental conservation.

Host Organization: Geoversity, Nature's University, dedicated to nurturing a global army of unsung heroes: emerging rural, Afro-descendant, and indigenous leaders equipped with the knowledge and tools to tackle the environmental challenges we've inherited. Our work is founded on over two decades of experience, primarily centered at the 12,000-acre Mamoni Valley Preserve. This preserve, adjacent to the autonomous territory of the indigenous Guna people, safeguards one of the world's top 25 biodiversity hotspots.

Partners: The Sustainable Panama Foundation (PASOS), the Pro Education Foundation, and leaders from the Obama Network.

Project Lead: Juan Carlos Monterrey, Geoversity’s Executive Director.

Activities:

• Workshop: Conduct a comprehensive two-day workshop focused on public speaking, persuasive communication, and advocacy strategies.
• Mentorship: Pair participants with a cohort of experienced mentors, offering continuous support and guidance in their advocacy endeavors.

Expected Outcomes:

• Enhanced Communication Skills: Participants will acquire proficiency in public speaking, persuasive communication, and advocacy techniques.
• Confident Advocates: Participants will cultivate confidence in presenting their concerns and advocating for their communities' rights.
• Effective Advocacy: Participants will be well-prepared to engage in advocacy processes concerning land claims and environmental issues.

Project Duration: A two-day workshop in Panama City, complemented by ongoing mentoring.

Alignment with Democracy CoP's Vision, Mission, and Purpose

Vision: This project aligns with the Democracy CoP's vision by strengthening democracy through the empowerment of marginalized young leaders, actively engaging them in the advocacy for their rights.

Mission: The project fulfills the mission of enabling democratic renewal by increasing the meaningful participation of young leaders from marginalized communities.

Purpose: By equipping these young leaders with public speaking and communication skills, the project contributes to shaping a culture of human rights, inclusion, and equity among emerging advocates.

Collaboration

To date, esteemed Obama Scholars from the 2018 Chicago Cohort, including Mario Mazic and Fatima Zaman, have endorsed and will collaborate to develop the materials for this initiative.

Total Project Budget: USD $3,330.00

• Room & Board in Panama City: $1,330.00
• Travel Expenses for leaders in remote areas: $500.00
• Workshop Facilitation: $1,000.00
• Workshop Space & Materials: $0 (donated by Partner Organizations)
• End of Workshop Networking Session: $0 (donated by Partner Organization)
• Contingency Fund and overhead expenses: $500

*This proposal was added by admin due to technical error at time of submission.

Budget: $3,333

After several years of military rule in Mali and the systematic and automatic installation of certain anti-democratic habits/practices, including the restriction of individual and press freedoms, the manipulation of information and disinformation, abusive arrests and other harassment of political opponents, it's crucial to provide people with accurate, true and constructive information so they can wisely decide, chose what is good for them.

The main objective of this project is to identify and select 50 active young women and men from our volunteers throughout the country based on their engagement, leadership actions for the benefit of their communities. This selection will have a very special focus and include gender sensitivity, ethnicity, disability, geographical and age in order to have a very inclusive and efficient group of changer makers to be involved in this project.

After this first leg of the project completed, we then organize two (2) training sessions in Bamako, the capital city of Mali and in Ségou region, the centre of Mali very affected by the conflict. The two (2) groups of 25 people will have session on leadership, peace building and strengthening their ability to research and analyze online information and carry out investigations in various fields such as human rights violations, developing the information integrity of digital civic spaces, combating disinformation and online hate speech targeting vulnerable populations and minorities.

As part of our national Network including the 50 of our participants, each of them will return back into her/his community and establish a WhatsApp Radio ( WhatsApp group with only audio message) and add multiple people from this community including community leaders, Imams, administrative officials, traditional elders, women and youth leaders etc. As the main "Admin" of the group, our fellow will moderate conversations and be sure important messages are translated to local language speaking in the community and in the audio format so everyone has access to it and answer questions. With all these WhatsApp radios with at least five 5 most speaking local langages in the country, we are sure to engage with thousand of people around the country with important and constructive information, Initiatives and opportunities.

After our participants returned back in their communities and established the WhatsApp Radios, the National Network they are all in will continuously provide checked and verified information to be translated in the local langage spoken in their community for their use.They can ask questions, global concerns and share local positive news. The National Network will coordinate and build partnerships with certain communities radios and also public meetings to take this initiative from virtual to in person interaction.

We will ensure continuous documentation in the field. This involves documenting learning and adaptations in a way that is integrated with the implementation of activities through observation, note-taking, individual interviews, regular debriefings or focus groups organized in the field by the project team. In addition, field missions will be carried out to ensure the effective implementation of activities and to evaluate. Monitoring and evaluation reports will be produced, and feedback sessions will be organized following these monitoring and evaluation missions, in order to make any necessary adjustments to the proper implementation of the project.

The project will continue to support Malian democracy by providing accurate, verified, constructive information to population so they can wisely make choices and fight for their rights and a better life wherever they live no matter they know how to write or read.

Implementation period- 2 months including final report submission.

Total Project Budget: USD$3,333

Budget Allocation:

1 Day Training session 2x (Bamako and Ségou)- $2,033

(Including coffee break; Lunch-50 persons on both sites-; media coverage and press book; snacks for afternoon for the participants)

Translation services for 4 local langages (Fulani, Dogon, Bambara and Songhai) in audio messages to be used in our WhatsApp Radios- $1,000

Studio fees for audio messages production and Technical Support - $300

Budget: $3,333

1. Project Overview

We present our project proposal, addressing a critical issue affecting undergraduate students in Nigeria, particularly at the University of Lagos, with a recent 400% tuition fee hike, and in South Africa, notably at the University of Pretoria, which witnessed a 50% registration fee hike over the past year.

Our project, "Empowering Economically Vulnerable Students for Success," provides grants to 20 student entrepreneurs—10 from each country. These students bear the sole responsibility for funding their education through side businesses on the campuses, making their financial situation particularly challenging.

Our primary goal: Prevent these students from dropping out due to recent fee hikes, while nurturing their entrepreneurial ambitions.

2. Background Information

Recent changes in higher education are impacting students in Nigeria and South Africa.

University of Lagos, Nigeria
The University of Lagos, a federal institution, recently revamped its mandatory fee structure, effective September 1st, 2023. This decision, driven by economic conditions and the removal of fuel subsidies by the Nigerian government, resulted in a significant 400% tuition fee increase. This places a heavy financial burden on students, especially those relying on on-campus businesses to fund their education.

University of Pretoria, South Africa
Similarly, in South Africa, the University of Pretoria witnessed a substantial fee restructuring, with undergraduate registration fees soaring by 50% in the past year. These adjustments, influenced by broader economic factors, impact students' pursuit of education.

Lack of access to affordable, quality education remains a significant barrier to youth engagement in democratic processes in Africa. Our project proposal directly addresses this challenge, offering hope to 20 enterprising students facing shifting financial tides.

3. Project Goals

Our project centers on three key objectives:

Academic Continuity: Ensure 20 student entrepreneurs and their employees can continue their education without the risk of dropping out due to recent fee hikes.

Entrepreneurial Empowerment: Provide financial assistance and offer information on funding opportunities to sustain academic pursuits and empower students to grow their entrepreneurial ventures while studying.

Mentorship and Leadership Development: Collaborate with local experts and Obama Leadership Network volunteers to offer mentorship and training, nurturing students' leadership potential for sustainable enterprises and democratic participation.

4. Alignment with Democracy CoP's Vision, Mission, and Purpose

Our project strongly aligns with Democracy CoP's core ideals:

Vision: We contribute to the strengthening of democracy by ensuring affordable access to education, promoting entrepreneurship, and actively engaging in community service.

Mission: Our project facilitates the active participation of historically marginalized student entrepreneurs in democratic processes by providing support for their education and businesses.

Purpose: We actively nurture a culture of equity and inclusion among students, equipping them with knowledge, amplifying their voices, and playing a pivotal role in fostering a more just and equitable world.

5. Project Implementation

We have outlined a clear plan for the effective implementation of our project:

Selection Process: A committee of student representatives and local business experts will choose 20 student entrepreneurs based on financial need and their commitment to education and entrepreneurship.

Grant Allocation: Selected students will receive a $150 business grant to overcome financial challenges.

Mentorship and Training: We'll enlist experts from universities and the Obama Leadership Network to enhance students' business skills through mentorship and training.

Funding Opportunities: We'll provide information on funding opportunities from individuals, corporations, and institutions.

Monitoring and Evaluation: A dedicated team will monitor and support students to ensure their success in balancing education and entrepreneurship.

6. Budget

We are seeking $3,333 in funding from the Democracy Circle of Practice, with the allocation as follows:

• Business Grants for 20 Student Entrepreneurs: $3,000
• Mentorship and Training Expenses: $150
• Monitoring and Evaluation: $183
  
  

7. Team

Bolaji Kareem - Obama Leader Africa 2023 
An architect by profession, founder and project leader of Comrade Nigeria, a civic engagement group.

Thokozile Nhlumayo - Obama Leader Africa 2023 
An advocate for social justice, founder of the NotTooYoungToLead movement and the LGBTQI+ Political Leaders Program.