Thirty Palestinian civil society organizations signed on Wednesday individual grants agreements with the Palestinian Central Elections Commission.

Funded by the European Union, the grants will promote the engagement and participation of Palestinian public in future national elections, as well as enhance and increase Palestinians’ participation in electoral and democratic processes.

The project will also ensure Palestinian women and men, young people, and children are better informed regarding democratic electoral processes. Special attention will be paid to the most vulnerable and marginalized.

Chairman of Central Elections Commission, Hanna Nasir, said in his remarks at the ceremony, “This project aims to activate the role of civil society institutions in enhancing political participation among the Palestinian public and strengthen relations with them, since they are one of the main partners of the commission.''

Meanwhile, EU Representative Ralph Tarraf, said, “Through this project, we want to ensure that Palestinians are confident that their voices are important, that they will be heard, and that they can make a difference.”

“We believe that it will contribute to preparing a generation of Palestinians who truly believe in the values of participation and democracy,” he added.

The projects are expected to start in two phases, with each phase lasting for six months. The first phase is expected to start in March 2016, while the second phase shall start in May 2016. All projects are expected to be completed before the end of 2016.

(WAFA)