Paulina Quintso – The Timorese government has allocated $9 million to support civil society development programs in 2016.
The Coordinator of Aid-Funding for Civil Society, Cabinet of Prime Minister, Joaquim Freitas, said while there would be no funding for new programs in 2016, existing projects would continue to receive support.
"There is no budget for new programs because the government will focus on current programs to be completed," said Freitas at the veterans' office in Taibesi, Dili.
He said there have been more than 200 proposals from civil societies submitted to Cabinet, but only a small number would be approved due to a lack of human resources. "Some proposals are good, but the budget proposed is not realistic so we removed them," he said.
To be eligible for funding organizations must have a clear structure, vision and mission statement, a permanent office and sustainable programs. He added the government had supported 89 organizations to implement development programs in 2015.
National Member of Parliament MP Albina Marcal said the parliament approved a budget each year to support civil society programs as they were the government's development partners in Timor-Leste.
However, she also called for the Coordinator of Aid-Funding for Civil Society to present its report at the plenary session so that MPs could have more information on what programs were being implemented.
Meanwhile, the General Secretary of Klibur Organization Resistensia Timor-Leste (KORENTIL), Jose Monteiro, said it is working on 25 member organizations on different programs.
He said it had provided training on conflict prevention in the 12 municipalities and special region of Oecusse with its allocated funds. "Our dream is to strengthen national unity and stability, bring peace and give the government a chance to develop the State," he said.