CSO Thematic Programme 2021-2024 - NEAR - AD 2 Support to Civil Society in Partner Countries CSO Thematic Programme 2021 - MAAP 2021-2024 - Civil Society Organisations as actors of Governance (Action Document nº 2)This Action is funded under the CSO Thematic Programme 2021-2027, under the Multiannual Action Plan 2021-2024. The proposed Action intents to contribute to Specific-Objective 1.3: Support CSOs as actors of good governance and development in partner countries and to the achievement of the related result 1.3: Civil Society Organisations¿ (CSOs) ability to engage as actors of good governance and development at country level is improved.The Action rolls out the EU support to country-level CSO initiatives aimed at implementing priorities reflected in the NDICI-GLOBAL Europe, Annex III CSO Thematic Programme and the subsequent draft Multiannual Indicative Plan for the same. In line with the policy of geographisation, a majority of funds under the CSO MAAP 2021-2024, amounting to around ¿ 766,66 million, will be allocated under the Action to support civil society in partner countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and Caribbean, and in Neighbourhood countries and Russia 11.Activities funded under the Action will support a broad range of civil society actors including and prioritising, but not limited to, women and youth organisations, In the framework of the Country Roadmaps for EU and Member States engagement with civil society (CSO Roadmaps), all initiatives under the Action will aim at and contribute to strengthening civil society partner¿s institutional and operational capacity through a comprehensive approach;12 enabling and ensuring their participation; and on improving the environment in which they operate. Particular attention will be paid to CSOs capacities to benefit from the digital transformation which will pay attention to accessible digital technology and reduce the gap on access to ICT.The Activity will fund service delivery through CSOs only under certain circumstances (in fragile and conflict-affected countries and/or in severely restricted environment for CSOs, i.e., where no other type of support is feasible or highly limited etc.) and/or towards specific objectives (support that can be regarded as catalytic and/or innovative etc.).This Action is aligned with the 2012 Communication on "The roots of democracy and sustainable development: Europe's engagement with Civil Society in external relations" and adheres in full to the NDICI-Global Europe Regulation, Annex III: CSO Thematic Programme. It will contribute primarily to the Commission priorities on Governance, Peace and Security, and Human Development and to supporting the vital role of Civil Society with regard to SDG 16 and 1713. The dominant sector under which initiatives will be funded will accordingly be Government &amp; Civil Society14.The Action will strongly complement and reinforce bilateral and regional programmes through support for CSOs working in EU Delegations priority areas and sectors of cooperation, and through its focus on improving the environment in which they operate. This will enable them to participate in an informed way in dialogue with the EU and national and local actors, representing and voicing the concerns of people in vulnerable and marginalized situations, and contribute to combating inequalities in all partner countries It will furthermore strengthen their ability to implement and monitor initiatives funded under the bilateral and regional programmes thereby contributing to the successful implementation of our policies. Activities related to awareness and understanding of the EU in individual countries and the world will be implemented by Cooperation Facilities in Delegations, according to the priorities defined in the Delegations¿ strategic plans.All initiatives under the Action will, in line with the overarching aim of the CSO Thematic Programme, respect the independence and right to initiative of Civil Society.