Quick Facts

• Project Duration: April 2012-June 2017
• Budget: $10,590,000

Context

Moroccans have long exhibited dissatisfaction and detachment from political parties. Parties have weak organizational structures, narrow bases of support, limited internal democracy and vague policy platforms. Additionally, civil society organizations (CSOs) struggle to participate in the legislative process and effectively observe elections. The 2011 revised constitution opened a window for political parties and CSOs to accelerate efforts to become more responsible stakeholders in governance.

USAID Response

USAID/Morocco is supporting a program to work with leading political parties to strengthen their efforts to better respond to citizens and represent their interests. USAID/Morocco also supports work to strengthen civil society’s capacity to engage the electoral and legislative process and promote civic awareness. To advance these goals, the program works in the following areas:

• Citizen engagement: Increase political party engagement with citizens at the local level, both through more open party structures and elected government
• Policy and platform development: Improve the ability of political parties to develop and implement policies that reflect citizens’ needs and expectations
• Youth and women empowerment: Strengthen the ability of women and youth to participate actively and play meaningful roles within their political party structures and as elected representatives
• Electoral reform, observation and pollwatching: Improve the ability of political parties and civil society to monitor and reform the electoral process
• Civil society engagement in the legislative process: Improve the capacity of CSOs to advance legislation that establishes their formal role in the legislative process and serves the interests of their constituent groups
• Civic and voter education: Support civil society and political parties to collaboratively provide civic and voter education to promote greater political engagement of Moroccans.

Anticipated Results 

• Parties demonstrate commitment to citizen outreach at the local level;
• Parties effectively collect, aggregate, and analyze information on citizens’ needs and expectations;
• Parties adopt and implement policy positions that reflect citizens’ needs and expectations;
• The role and participation of women and youth in political parties is strengthened;
• CSOs and parties work to reform and observe the electoral process;
• CSOs demonstrate increased knowledge of legislative advocacy techniques; and
• CSOs and parties conduct civic and voter education campaigns.