ECOSOCC Connect Platform Terms and Conditions

1. Purpose and Scope

The ECOSOCC Connect Platform (“the Portal”) is established by the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) to facilitate the secure submission, processing, evaluation, and management of registration and applications by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) seeking accreditation with ECOSOCC, membership in ECOSOCC National Chapters and ECOSOCC General Assembly.

These Terms and Conditions govern the use of the Portal and apply to all Applicants submitting organizational and personal information through it.

2. Legal and Normative Framework

Processing of personal and organizational data under these Terms and Conditions shall comply with:

1. The African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (Malabo Convention);
2. Applicable African Union legal instruments and ECOSOCC rules;
3. Internationally accepted data protection and privacy principles, including:
   1. Lawfulness, fairness, and transparency;
   2. Purpose limitation;
   3. Data minimization;
   4. Accuracy;
   5. Storage limitation;
   6. Integrity and confidentiality;
   7. Accountability.

3. Applicant Responsibilities and Declarations

3.1

The Applicant confirms that they are duly authorized to submit information and documents on behalf of the CSO.

3.2

By submitting an application, the Applicant represents and warrants that:

1. All information provided is accurate, complete, and up to date;
2. All supporting documents are authentic and valid;
3. Consent has been obtained from all designated representatives whose personal data is submitted;
4. No information submitted infringes the rights of third parties.

3.3

The Applicant acknowledges that deliberate misrepresentation, material omission, or submission of falsified documents may result in:

1. Rejection of the application;
2. Disqualification from the process;
3. Revocation of participation rights;
4. Any additional remedial or administrative measures deemed appropriate.

4. Categories of Data Collected

1. Data collected through the Portal may include:
   1. Organizational identification and registration data;
   2. Contact and governance information;
   3. Audited financial statements and compliance records;
   4. Personal data of designated representatives (including names, CVs, professional background, and contact details).
2. Only data strictly necessary for the stated purposes shall be collected.

5. Lawful Basis and Consent

5.1

Data processing is carried out on the basis of:

1. Explicit consent of the Applicant;
2. Legitimate institutional mandates of ECOSOCC and the African Union;
3. Compliance with applicable AU legal instruments.

5.2

By submitting an application, the Applicant provides explicit, informed, and freely given consent for the processing of submitted data for the purposes described herein.

5.3

The Applicant confirms that designated representatives have been informed of:

1. The nature of the data submitted;
2. The purposes of processing;
3. Their rights under applicable data protection standards.

6. Purpose Limitation and Use of Data

1. Personal and organizational data shall be processed solely for:
   1. Eligibility verification and evaluation;
   2. Accreditation and participation decisions;
   3. Administrative, statistical, and institutional record-keeping;
   4. Internal reporting within African Union structures.
2. Data shall not be used for incompatible or unrelated purposes.

7. Data Accuracy and Rights of Rectification

7.1

ECOSOCC shall take reasonable measures to ensure that processed data is accurate and up to date.

7.2

Applicants may request correction or updating of submitted data during the application window or as otherwise permitted by Portal functionality.

8. Data Retention and Storage Limitation

8.1

Data shall be retained only for as long as necessary to fulfill:

1. The application and accreditation process; and
2. Applicable African Union institutional, legal, or audit requirements.

8.2

Upon expiration of retention periods, data shall be securely archived or deleted in accordance with AU information governance policies.

9. Security Measures and Cyber Protection

9.1

ECOSOCC shall implement appropriate technical and organizational measures consistent with international information-security standards to safeguard data against:

1. Unauthorized access;
2. Accidental or unlawful loss;
3. Alteration or disclosure.

9.2

These measures may include access controls, encryption, secure hosting environments, and monitored audit logs.

9.3

The Applicant acknowledges that while robust safeguards are in place, no digital system can guarantee absolute security.

10. Data Sharing and Transfers

10.1

Submitted data may be shared internally within the African Union system strictly on a need-to-know basis.

10.2

Where data is processed or stored across different jurisdictions within AU systems, ECOSOCC shall ensure that equivalent safeguards are maintained in accordance with the Malabo Convention and recognized international standards.

11. Transparency and Accountability

ECOSOCC commits to transparency in the handling of personal data and shall maintain appropriate records of processing activities, consistent with good-governance and accountability principles.

12. User Obligations and Technical Use

1. Applicants are responsible for:
   1. Maintaining the confidentiality of their login credentials;
   2. Ensuring timely and correct submission of applications.
2. ECOSOCC shall not be liable for delays or non-submission caused by user error, incompatible systems, or external connectivity issues.

13. Amendments

ECOSOCC reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions. Updated versions shall be made available on the Portal, and continued use constitutes acceptance.

14. Acceptance and Legal Effect

By submitting the application, the Applicant confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions, which shall have binding legal effect within the African Union institutional framework.