Our Projects
Radio Angola:
Radio Angola, our 1st project, emerged as our response to a critical need – giving ordinary Angolans a platform for free expression in a media landscape dominated by government control. Through this online radio station, we’ve created a space where civil society organizations and citizens can openly share their perspectives and experiences, bypassing traditional state-controlled media channels. With our current reach of over 120,000 listeners, Radio Angola serves as a vital outlet for authentic Angolan voices.
Strengthening Democracy in Angola Through Community Journalism:
FOA designed this project using theories of change to influence youth perspectives on achieving societal impact. The program trained youth across six regions to become community journalists and advocates for peaceful change, shifting them from viewing violence as the only path to social transformation. In its first launch, participants produced 15 video and audio interviews documenting Angolan citizens’ experiences, available on YouTube. The program combined digital media training with education on human rights, press freedom, and socioeconomic issues, including five focused discussions on human rights topics. The initiative transformed participants’ perspectives on achieving social change, shifting them away from violence toward peaceful civic engagement. Success was measured through social media engagement metrics, comparative interviews with non-participants, and participant self-assessments, all indicating increased support for non-violent approaches to social transformation.
Anti-Kleptocracy and Transparency:
Friends of Angola (FoA) is committed to combating kleptocracy and promoting transparency as essential pillars of good governance. Through advocacy, civic engagement, and capacity-building initiatives, FoA works to expose corruption, hold leaders accountable, and empower citizens with the knowledge and tools to demand transparency. By fostering a culture of accountability, FoA aims to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure that Angola’s resources benefit its people rather than serving corrupt interests.
Fostering Strong Relational Bonds Between Parliament and Civil Society in Angola:
Friends of Angola (FOA) launched this project in 2017 to strengthen citizen-government relationships in Angola, where corruption and lack of accountability have long undermined effective governance. The initiative empowers citizens to engage directly with elected officials in shaping community projects and demanding transparency. In its first year, FOA organized 11 town hall meetings that engaged 853 participants, including youth and parliament members, creating unprecedented dialogue between citizens and their representatives. By training over 300 local volunteers across 6 provinces and prioritizing regional residents, FOA established sustainable networks of civil society organizations. These organizations now serve as effective bridges between citizens and government, fostering a new culture of accountability and community-driven governance in regions where political engagement was previously limited.
Building Good Governance in Angola through a Collaborative and Interactive Approach:
FOA launched this project to promote civic engagement around the 2017 Angolan elections. In partnership with local NGOs, the initiative trained 700 young activists in non-violent resistance techniques and empowered them to document rights violations through the Zuela mobile app. FOA continuously refined the app based on user feedback, enhancing its effectiveness as a reporting tool. To promote legal literacy, the organization published a comprehensive handbook outlining Angolan constitutional rights and international law protections. The handbook’s launch event drew approximately 100 attendees, establishing it as a vital resource for citizens engaged in democratic processes.
Community Journalism:
This project aimed to empower young Angolans aged 23-45 to become active community journalists. Participants received training in ethical reporting standards and were equipped with essential tools (computers, audio recorders, cameras, and cell phones) to document local issues. Upon its launch, over 80 individuals participated, generating over 140 interviews and reports. These stories were shared on Radio Angola and other platforms, reaching an online audience of over 100,000 listeners. Additionally, 1,000 CDs were distributed to make the content accessible to those without internet access. To further enhance community engagement, participants were introduced to the Zuela app. This platform enables real-time reporting on crucial issues such as elections, politics, corruption, violence, gender, and human rights.
Zuela: A Digital Platform for Civic Engagement
Zuela is a pro-democracy social networking app designed to foster political engagement and good governance. Developed by Friends of Angola in 2017, Zuela provides an interactive platform for civil society groups, individuals, organizations, businesses, government agencies, and institutions to collaborate and share information. This platform empowers users to stay informed about the latest political developments and engage with others on important issues. Zuela continues to serve as an active reporting platform in Angola and is available globally.
Strengthening of Nonviolent Civic Engagement Among the Youth:
Like our other initiatives, this project aimed to empower young Angolans to embrace nonviolent civic engagement. By applying theories of change, we educated youth on how to utilize technology to challenge the culture of violence and promote peaceful solutions to societal problems. Through social media analysis, surveys, and interviews, we observed a positive shift in attitudes, with participants increasingly recognizing nonviolence as a powerful tool for lasting change.
Developing Leadership Skills and Democratic Values for Angolan Young Men and Women:
Developing Leadership Skills and Democratic Values” stands at the forefront of Angola’s youth empowerment movement, transforming how young citizens engage with their political landscape. This dynamic 24-month program equips the next generation of Angolan leaders—both men and women aged 18-35—with essential skills to shape their nation’s democratic future. Our comprehensive curriculum goes beyond traditional civics education. Participants develop practical leadership abilities while deeply exploring the pillars of democratic governance: transparency, accountability, and civic responsibility. Through interactive workshops, mentorship, and hands-on community projects, emerging leaders gain both the confidence and competence to drive positive change in their communities. At its core, the program creates a vibrant network of politically engaged youth who understand not just the theory of democracy, but how to actively participate in and strengthen Angola’s democratic institutions. As graduates take their places in civil society, government, and community organizations, they bring with them both the vision and practical skills needed to contribute to Angola’s continued democratic evolution.
Cabo Verde Exchange Program:
Through support from the National Endowment for Democracy, Friends of Angola has been conducting a transformative exchange program with Cabo Verde since 2022. Each year, we select 10 promising youth activists from Angola for an immersive experience in one of Africa’s most successful democracies. This unique program provides participants with direct exposure to Cabo Verde’s exemplary municipal governance systems, local election procedures, and multiparty electoral contestation. Participants witness firsthand how local officials engage with citizens, how different political parties compete fairly for power, and how transparent governance operates at the municipal level. Cabo Verde’s success as a democratic model in Africa is particularly evident in its mastery of local governance and multiparty democracy. During their stay, our participants engage with a diverse range of democratic practitioners, from members of parliament and opposition party leaders to local NGO directors and think tank researchers. These interactions provide valuable insights into how multiple political parties can constructively compete while maintaining democratic stability.
This program fills a crucial gap in Angola’s democratic development. As the only initiative of its kind, it offers Angolan youth unprecedented exposure to different political cultures and systems. Participants gain practical insights into effective democratic processes, experience with competitive multiparty politics, and direct exposure to transparent governance. Through these experiences, they build valuable networks with democratic practitioners and develop concrete tools for implementing democratic practices in their own communities. By empowering the next generation of democratic leaders with real-world examples of successful governance and political pluralism, this exchange program is helping to shape Angola’s democratic future.
Each project supported by National Endowment for Democracy (NED), U.S. Embassy in Angola, and partners including Human Rights First, American Bar Association (ABA), and Advocacy Network for Africa (ADNA).