FIAP, as leader of the implementing consortium of the European project PASCAL, has organized the ‘International Conference on Civil Society Participation in Local Governance’ in Luanda, Angola. This event, within the framework of the Project to Support Civil Society in Local Administration in Angola (PASCAL), funded by the European Union, brought together 150 participants including Angolan government authorities, representatives of civil society, international experts and academics. The conference was attended by the Angolan Minister of Territorial Administration, Dionísio da Fonseca, the European Union Ambassador, Rosário Pais, and the project director, Pablo López.

During the day, experiences and good practices of participatory governance from international and local perspectives were shared. Representatives from Lithuania and Portugal presented European models of citizen participation and Angolan civil society leaders presented practical cases developed in the five provinces of intervention of the project.

Promoting democratic participation in Angola

PASCAL project represents an important component of Spanish cooperation in Angola, aligned with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda and FIAP’s commitment to strengthen democratic institutions globally. The project works in 25 Angolan municipalities to improve the legislative and institutional framework for participatory governance, with a special focus on underrepresented groups such as women and youth.

This conference has culminated a four-year process of work in the field, consolidating strategic alliances between government institutions, civil society and international partners, and promoting more inclusive and participatory public policies for sustainable development in Angola.