June, 2024
The VOICE initiative by Bedari aimed to empower citizens and strengthen local government mechanisms in Lahore, Punjab. In partnership with the District Local Government and Community Development Department and other key government entities, the project established and trained 12 Effective Citizen Groups (ECGs) and 4 Union Council Citizen Advocacy Groups (UCCAGs). These groups, comprising youth, women and religious minorities, were equipped with knowledge on local governance, leadership and advocacy.
Key activities included organizing public forums, awareness seminars and media campaigns to highlight community issues and promote pro-women legislation. The project also included training local government officials and human rights activists on gender mainstreaming, social accountability and minority rights.
By fostering inclusive local governance and active citizen participation, the VOICE program successfully improved service delivery and ensured that community voices were integrated into decision-making processes.
