EU EMPOWER-  This programme proposes to take a comprehensive approach to empower citizens and make the democratic process more inclusive and representative, through strengthening citizens¿ electoral observation, promotion of an inclusive political process and participation, and through the implementation and/or revision of democratic, transparent and efficient elections-relevant legislation. &nbsp;An active civil society sphere is a crucial component of a democratic and open society, as well as for safeguarding human rights and the rule of law. The programme aims to strengthen civil society and citizen electoral observers to fulfil their crucial oversight roles in the election cycle as one of the important components of a democratic and open society. The programme will also contribute to fostering a democratic culture and strengthening democratic institutions, in particular with the view of their role within a functioning system of checks and balances. It addresses national needs and challenges throughout the entire elections cycle including through a comprehensive follow-up on electoral recommendations. &nbsp;The programme foresees three main components: &nbsp;Component 1 shall enhance capacity of civil society organisations to observe electoral processes. In particular, this component aims at increasing public trust in the electoral systems through citizen electoral observations and capacity building for civil society organisations to do so. This part of the programme will prepare civil society organisations to increase public oversight of the entire electoral cycle. Furthermore, it will include reserve funds to respond to unforeseen needs of civil society to observe election, in particular in case of early elections. &nbsp;Activities under Component 2 seek to improve transparency and inclusiveness of democratic institutions. This component would foster enhanced engagement of underrepresented groups (e.g. disabled, youth, women, ethnic/religious minorities) in parliamentary and political party activities through social innovation and/or leadership programmes. It will also seek to strengthen civil society organisations with capacity building to monitor state authorities, corporate public affairs and national/regional Parliaments. &nbsp;Component 3 aims to strengthen the overall electoral framework, based on international standards. It foresees capacity building and a structured follow-up to international and OSCE-ODIHR electoral observations, including through regular multi-stakeholder dialogues with authorities and civil society to discuss progress on the implementation of electoral observations. This component may assist partner countries in implementing or revising relevant election-focused legislation, party finance reforms and strengthening the role of independent oversight bodies. It particularly strives to improve the representativeness and democratic legitimacy of elected officials by strengthening the voice of citizens. This programme proposes to take a comprehensive approach to empower citizens and make the democratic process more inclusive and representative, through strengthening citizens¿ electoral observation, promotion of an inclusive political process and participation, and through the implementation and/or revision of democratic, transparent and efficient elections-relevant legislation. &nbsp;An active civil society sphere is a crucial component of a democratic and open society, as well as for safeguarding human rights and the rule of law. The programme aims to strengthen civil society and citizen electoral observers to fulfil their crucial oversight roles in the election cycle as one of the important components of a democratic and open society. The programme will also contribute to fostering a democratic culture and strengthening democratic institutions, in particular with the view of their role within a functioning system of checks and balances. It addresses national needs and challenges throughout the entire elections cycle including through a comprehensive follow-up on electoral recommendations. &nbsp;The programme foresees three main components: &nbsp;Component 1 shall enhance capacity of civil society organisations to observe electoral processes. In particular, this component aims at increasing public trust in the electoral systems through citizen electoral observations and capacity building for civil society organisations to do so. This part of the programme will prepare civil society organisations to increase public oversight of the entire electoral cycle. Furthermore, it will include reserve funds to respond to unforeseen needs of civil society to observe election, in particular in case of early elections. &nbsp;Activities under Component 2 seek to improve transparency and inclusiveness of democratic institutions. This component would foster enhanced engagement of underrepresented groups (e.g. disabled, youth, women, ethnic/religious minorities) in parliamentary and political party activities through social innovation and/or leadership programmes. It will also seek to strengthen civil society organisations with capacity building to monitor state authorities, corporate public affairs and national/regional Parliaments. &nbsp;Component 3 aims to strengthen the overall electoral framework, based on international standards. It foresees capacity building and a structured follow-up to international and OSCE-ODIHR electoral observations, including through regular multi-stakeholder dialogues with authorities and civil society to discuss progress on the implementation of electoral observations. This component may assist partner countries in implementing or revising relevant election-focused legislation, party finance reforms and strengthening the role of independent oversight bodies. It particularly strives to improve the representativeness and democratic legitimacy of elected officials by strengthening the voice of citizens.