Support to the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum for enhanced policy dialogue with civil society Contract related to: Support to the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum for enhanced policy dialogue with civil society - The Eastern Partnership (EaP) Civil Society Facility is the EU¿s landmark programme on support to civil society in the EaP countries and Russia, combining regional and country-based actions. Empowered civil society is a crucial component of an inclusive and resilient, gender equal and democratic system and a key contributor to the democratic and economic transformation of the partner countries. The Joint Communication on the future of the EaP of March 2020 and the Joint Staff Working Document on Recovery, resilience and reforms: post 2020 Eastern Partnership priorities of July 2021 confirm the EU¿s commitment to enhance engagement and sustainability of civil society in all partner countries, particularly local, grassroots organisations, to meaningfully participate in policy dialogue, promote reforms and public accountability. Furthermore, the 2022 Commission opinions on the application for membership of the European Union, which confirm the European perspective for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, stress an enhancement of the involvement of civil society in decision-making processes at all levels as priority. Against the backdrop of Russia¿s war of aggression against Ukraine and increased political instability across the countries, this action aims to strengthen inclusive resilient democratic societies in the Eastern Partnership region by capacitating Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to participate meaningfully in European and national policy dialogue (including reforms, accountability and socio-economic recovery), as well as by enabling civic actors to engage in pro-democracy and human rights and environment/climate activism. This is in line with the objectives of the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) to strengthen resilient, gender equal, fair and inclusive societies in the EaP countries. To achieve its objectives, the action proposes the following intervention areas:- Capacity development and financial sustainability of the local CSOs to empower them to effectively promote reforms, accountability, democratic development and play an active role in the sustainable socio-economic recovery;- Enabling civic actors to engage in pro-democracy, pro-gender equality and human rights activism;- Strengthening resilience of local CSOs to sustain democratic progress and react/respond to sudden shocks in the political or social context;The design of the intervention will further build on the EU¿s strategic approach to supporting civil society and will establish framework partnership agreements with key CSOs to channel support more effectively and increase overall support.The action contributes directly to achieving the SDG 16 ¿Promote peaceful & inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels¿.The programme will also contribute towards SDG 5, ¿Achieving gender equality and empower all women and girls¿, through support to women¿s rights and other organisations promoting gender equality.