The European Union (EU) has announced a second batch of grants under the Enhancing Accountability Programme in South Africa, with the aim of enhancing transparency and accountability.

The programme is expected to foster collaboration between civil society organisations and select South African State institutions.

EU representative in South Africa Ambassador Sandra Kramer said accountability and transparency are the essence of democracy.

“The Enhancing Accountability Programme, supported by the European Union, assists South African civil society organisations and other organisations to collaborate effectively to enhance performance and efficient resource utilisation, ultimately translating into better service provision to citizens,” Kramer explained.

As agreed between the South African government and the EU in 2020, the Enhancing Accountability Programme awarded a first set of grants to four consortia comprising ten civil society organisations.

To date, five additional consortia, collectively comprising a further 16 organisations, have been awarded grants.

Under the State capture and beyond: Entrenching accountability and democracy thematic, organisations such as Evangelisches Werk für Diakonie und Entwicklung e.V. - Brot für die Welt, Human Rights Media Trust and Legal Resources Centre have been funded.

Under the promoting good governance in education through community-centred accountability thematic, the beneficiaries are Equal Education, Equal Education Law Centre, and National Association of School Governing Bodies.

The objective is to improve transparency and accountability leading to reduced corruption in the education sector through youth-led activism.