New MoU with Maldives Ministry Bolsters Support for Civil Society Organizations

Civil society is critical in upholding democracy and achieving national development goals. In June 2024, The Asia Foundation signed a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maldives Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts (MoYEIA), renewing our shared commitment towards nurturing a vibrant and influential civil society community.

Since 2020, the Foundation has been collaborating with the Ministry to develop and empower CSOs nationwide. We currently support over 20 CSOs in 14 atolls to enhance their capacity and engagement with local authorities and communities.

The MoU was signed during a visit by our Country Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Dinesha de Silva and Deputy Country Representative Diana Fernández. This marks a significant milestone in our collaborative efforts with the Maldivian government.

The MoYEIA serves as the oversight body for civil society organizations (CSOs) in the Maldives. The signing of the MoU reaffirms our commitment to promote and strengthen cooperation with the MoYEIA and local CSOs at the central and sub-national levels.

At the signing meeting, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts acknowledged the Foundation’s valuable contribution over the years and provided insight into the Ministry’s current initiatives. Recognizing the critical role of civil society in upholding democracy and achieving national development goals, the Minister highlighted areas where CSO technical support is paramount.

As part of the agreement, The Asia Foundation aims to provide resources, training, and technical support to CSOs to enhance their organizational and technical capacities while assisting in developing strategic plans to improve their core functioning and help them better serve their communities. We will also work with the Ministry to facilitate learning and sharing between CSOs and relevant stakeholders.