US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) has announced an aid of USD 4.4 million to the Maldives, to enhance media literacy and to support democratic openings. The announcement was made during the USAID's “Democracy Delivers” event on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly (UNGA79).
The Democracy Delivers Initiative was launched in 2022, by Secretary Antony Blinken and USAID Administrator Samantha Power. The event aims to build a multi-stakeholder coalition of partners and provide assistance to countries undergoing democratic renewal. Administrator Power, in partnership with the Ford Foundation, convened government leaders, philanthropic partners, and civil society to increase support to the Maldives and other countries experiencing democratic openings around the world.
The funds will be primarily allocated for media literacy and empowerment. As such, USD 3 million will be allocated to enhance media literacy and promote information resilience. This will be done through ensuring transparency in public and media sectors while equipping the public, especially the youth, with the essential tools required to be better informed and discerning consumers of media and social media content. Meanwhile, the remaining USD 1.4 million will be allocated to increase awareness for democratic rights and civic engagement, ensuring collaboration with local councils and women’s development committees (WDCs), and advocating for transparent and accountable democratic processes.
Additional resources provided will be invested, such that it aligns with the Maldives' ongoing efforts to increase transparency in the public and media sectors, expand opportunities for civic engagement, and promote transparent and accountable democratic processes. USAID reiterated its commitment to partnering with the Maldives to implement economic and democratic reforms and build a robust civil society that creates an environmentally sustainable and inclusive economy.
During the event, Permanent Representative to the UN from the Maldives Ali Naseer Mohamed, joined representatives from other countries experiencing democratic opening, to highlight the Maldives' democratic progress, welcome new investments and collaboration for democratic resilience. Partners including, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom (UK) expressed their commitment to collaborate with USAID in supporting democratic openings throughout their development and diplomatic agendas and to bolstering information resilience. Additionally, philanthropic partners also announced new commitments, expanding the Democracy Delivers Commitment to Action launched at UNGA in 2023.