Seychelles: Monitoring mission for the 5th edition of the “La Francophonie avec Elles

From May 6 to 9, 2024, the OIF Representation for the Indian Ocean carried out a mission to Mahé, Seychelles, to promote the 5th edition of the “La Francophonie avec Elles” Fund. This mission aimed precisely to raise awareness among local stakeholders, identify project leaders and attract applications before the closing of the call for projects, which favors small island developing states for this edition.

The mission was structured around strategic meetings with key authorities and partners, such as the National Correspondent of Seychelles, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family, the Secretary General of the National Commission of La Francophonie (CNF ), the French Ambassador and representatives of the civil society platform in Seychelles (Citizen Engagement Platform Seychelles – CEPS). This platform’s mission is to unite, animate and strengthen the capacities of Seychellois civil society organizations.

In the presence of the Head of the OIF Gender Equality Unit and the National Correspondent of Seychelles, a workshop was held with CEPS member organizations. This meeting made it possible to present the objectives of the “La Francophonie avec Elles” Fund, to detail the selection and eligibility criteria of organizations and projects, as well as the modalities of support and accompaniment of the OIF within the framework submission and development of projects.

Another meeting was organized at the initiative of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family, in the presence of associations in the sporting and social fields, young entrepreneurs and the press. Support sessions also took place to support project leaders who expressed their wish to apply for the 5th edition of the Fund, by May 31, 2024.

As a reminder, this Fund aims to strengthen the economic and social empowerment of women in vulnerable situations from a sustainable development perspective. This 5th edition emphasizes support for projects carried out in small island states, often under-represented in applications: Cabo Verde, Comoros, Dominica, Mauritius, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles and Vanuatu.