Congo (DRC), ESPAD Peace and Security Program in Djugu

Objective:

The programme aims to realize the following long term result:
For the population to recognize the State as the main transparent and accountable provider of services to the people, favouring peace and stability.

Specific project objectives are:

1. The performance and quality of justice administration services are improved, enabling equitable and accessible justice for the entire population (women, young women, men, young men, children, marginalized and at-risk groups).
2. The performance and quality of services of the Decentralized Territorial Entities (ETDs) are improved, enabling the delivery of transparent, equitable and accessible services to all citizens (women, young women, men, young men, children, marginalized and at-risk groups).
3. The performance and quality of security services (PNC and FARDC) are improved, enabling the delivery of transparent, equitable and accessible services to all citizens (women, young women, men, young men, children, marginalized and at-risk groups).
4. Women influence and participate in all stages of stabilization and peacebuilding processes and are recognized as agents of social change.

In order to achieve the long term change, the following pathways to outcomes need to be reached:
1. Improve access to justice, by addressing physical and functional barriers that promote impunity, corruption, and mistrust of the justice system.
2. Strengthen good governance of the ETDs and the territorial administration by supporting and accompanying in a practical way inclusive, participatory and accountable governance approaches.
3. Improve security governance with a focus on the performance and quality of security services (PNC and FARDC) enabling the delivery of transparent, equitable and accessible services to all citizens.
4. Promote gender equality and the full participation of women in the stabilization process, so that they can influence the stabilization process and that their specific needs are taken into account.
5. Strengthen the mobilization of political actors and their political commitments in support of the stabilization process.

The project will be implemented in the following target areas:
Djugu territory, in Ituri:

• Chiefdom of Northern Bahema
• Chiefdom of Bahema Badjere
• Sector of Walendu Djatsi
• Sector of Walendu Pitsi
• Sector of Walendu Tatsi
• Sector of Banyali Kilo
  as well as in areas not covered by the project for punctual activities.

The services delivered by VNG International are:

• Project design and implementation
• Selection and contracting of international and local experts
• Punctual transversal expertise
• Financial and implementation quality control and guarantee
• Support to Decentralized Territorial Entities (ETDs) and local authorities
• Advocacy with national authorities on specific issues, including the increase in the number of prosecutors and judges, the question of their housing, judicial officers, the management of new units in the territorial administration, the rehabilitation of the prison in central Djugu, logistical support for the PNC and FARDC…
• Active participation to the Joint Technical Committee (CTC)
• Clear collaboration and coordination with other actors and organizations involved in the project implementation areas through the “stabilization” working group
• Coordination with other components of the SSU project, MONUSCO sections and other aligned projects implemented in the target zones.