CPA UK will be part of a £4 million programme to build trust in democratic institutions and support the political engagement of minorities and vulnerable groups in 18 developing countries across the Commonwealth.

The programme, funded by the UK Government as Chair of the Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting (CHOGM), was announced by Foreign Secretary Rt. Hon Boris Johnson MP during CPA UK's joint hosted 2018 CHOGM Parliamentary Reception on 17 April.

The 2012 “Charter of the Commonwealth” sets out the values of the Commonwealth of Nations: “Governments, political parties and civil society are responsible for upholding and promoting democratic culture and practices and are accountable to the public [..]. Parliaments and representative local governments [..] are essential elements in the exercise of democratic governance.”

CPA UK's focus will be on building accountable Commonwealth democracies. Specifically to strengthen the ability of parliaments to hold government to account, including working with Public Accounts Committees across the Commonwealth as part of the Commonwealth Association of Public Accounts Committees (CAPAC). 

Partnership management and participating organisations

The programme will be managed by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), and implemented by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), in partnership with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA HQ), CPA UK and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF).