FACTBOX-U.S. seeks to bolster Hamas rivals

Oct 13 (Reuters) - The United States has launched a campaign at a cost of up to $42 million to bolster political opponents of Hamas Islamists ahead of any new Palestinian election.

Washington's goal is to shore up moderate President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement and other secular parties.

The following is a breakdown of some of the programmes budgeted for, according to U.S. documents obtained by Reuters:

DEMOCRATIC PARTIES REFORM - $6 million
Project run by National Democratic Institute to encourage internal reform and increase the influence of reformists within "democratic parties".

ASSISTANCE TO INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATIC LEADERS - $4 million
Project run by International Republican Institute to strengthen grassroots support for "independent democratic leaders" and coordination among opposition parties not linked to "terrorist organisations".

SECURING AND EXPANDING DEMOCRACY - $5.3 million
Support for "citizen watchdog groups" as well as lawmakers who are not linked to Hamas to monitor the Hamas-dominated parliament and ensure it is held accountable.
The programme would also help non-Hamas political leaders at the local level with advice and other support to "demonstrate that reform-minded leaders can effectively deliver at the community level."

NEW CIVIL SOCIETY AND REFORM PROGRAMME - $3.3 million
Described as an "entirely new" programme by the U.S. Agency for International Development to boost local non-governmental organisations outside major population centres.

EXPAND MEDIA PLATFORMS FOR DEMOCRATS - $3.48 million
A new programme to expand the capacity of an unnamed existing private broadcaster to "provide a sustainable platform for moderate voices."

INDEPENDENT MEDIA SUPPORT - $2 million
A new media award to encourage journalists towards "investigative journalism" focused on the activities of the Hamas-led government. Journalists will get training, advice, equipment and "other types of material support."

EDUCATION PROGRAMMES - $6.18 million
Assistance to private schools offering a "basic education alternative to the Hamas-controlled public education system". This could include direct grants to schools and up to 5,000 students.

This would also include scholarships for university professors without links to Hamas.

PUBLIC SUPPORT PROGRAMME
Aimed at providing Palestinians with information about US assistance efforts to counter "some extremists' arguments that the United States has abandoned the plight of Palestinians."

EMERGENCY WATER AND SANITATION ASSISTANCE
Help for water and sewage projects in municipalities that are not controlled by Hamas.