Development and

Cooperation

Development and

Cooperation

Financial Instruments supporting civil society cooperation initiatives

in the Black Sea region

Black Sea NGO Forum, 6th EditionBucharest, 4-6 September 2013

DEVCO

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The EU's engagement with civil society in external relations

CSOs recognised as development actors in their own right , but

• A changing environment:• Increasing number and diversity & more fluid forms of citizen

action• Rise of Internet & social media• Limited dialogue with the state• Shrinking space for CSOs & restrictive measures• CSO internal challenges (governance, capacity & funding

access)

Commission Communication on The roots of democracy and sustainable development: Europe's engagement with civil society in external relations (12 September 2013)

Development and

Cooperation

Development and

Cooperation

DEVCOThe Communication in a nutshell (i)

• Towards a more strategic engagement with CSOs in Developing, Neighbourhood and Enlargement countries

• Facilitate constructive relations between states and CSOs

• Three priorities:

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Development and

Cooperation

Development and

Cooperation

1.Promoting a conducive environment for CSOs

2.Promoting meaningful and structured participation of CSOs in:

-Domestic policy making -EU programming cycle; -International processes and debates.

3.Increasing the capacity of local CSOs to perform their roles more effectively.

DEVCOThe Communication in a nutshell (ii)

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• Promoting an enabling

environment (1)

• Strong focus on the country level

and empowerment of local

actors (2-5)

• CSOs in regional and global

settings (6)

• Shaping EU support

Development and

Cooperation

Development and

Cooperation

DEVCO

5

Capacity development

• Reinforce capacity of local CSOs

• Long term, flexible and demand driven approach

• Partnerships with EU CSOs

EU Support: Towards a more strategic engagement with CSOs

Funding adapted to local needs

• Appropriate mix of flexible funding modalities

• Improving access for local CSOs

Coordinated EU action

• Better understanding of the CSO arena

• Better coordination between EU and Member States

• Roadmaps for engagement with CSOs

DEVCO

Boosting EU engagement with civil society in partner countries

•New framework reflecting changed role of societies (Arab Spring) & new development policy (Agenda for Change; Busan).

•Key role CSOs in democratic governance and development.

•Recognition of CSOs as actors in their own right.

•Focus on local CSOs in partner countries, recognising country specificities.

•Better EU coordination: development of country roadmaps with EU Member States.

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DEVCO

Boosting EU engagement with civil society in partner countries

•Support to role of CSOs in transparent & accountable governance &

inclusive economic development; lesser role in service delivery (in

specific contexts).

•Specific attention to role of CSOs in fragile states (New Deal).

•Stronger engagement of CSOs in EU all stages of programming.

•Importance of CSO capacity development and internal governance.

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DEVCOEU Support to CSOs in the Neighbourhood

• Important commitment of EU Neighbourhood Policy

• Partnership with societies for national ownership

• Several instruments: human rights, non-state actors and

local authorities, geographic (ENPI)

• In 2010 – Review of the Neighbourhood Policy and

substantial increase for civil society

• Civil Society Facility: 37 MEUR (2011-2013) for the

Neighbourhood East only

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DEVCOCivil society funding 2007-2013 for the Eastern Neighbourhood region (million €)

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DEVCOThe Civil Society Facility: a renewed

commitment and a new approach

• Building capacity and promoting engagement

• Civil society associated to sectoral dialogue and support

• Crucial partner in: o policy dialogueo development and implementation of national reforms

• Transparency and oversight in new approach to Budget Support

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DEVCOOverview of 2011 funding

• Call for proposals to:o Strengthen networks and their actionso Support regional projects

• Capacity building for civil society organisations

• National calls for proposals: local priorities

• Support for Eastern Partnership Civil Society National Platforms: to strengthen and promote the role of CSOs in reforms and democratic changes in the countries

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DEVCOSelected projects in 2011

• Multi-stakeholder dialogues on environmental issues • Involving vulnerable groups in the decision-making process

(minorities, disabled, etc.)

• Supporting media freedom and anti-corruption efforts

• Involving business and CSOs in peace-building

• Engaging CSOs in monitoring activities

• Supporting CSO networks and platforms

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DEVCOCapacity building for CSOs

• Assessing CSO needs and capacities

• Capacity-building activities for CSOs (trainings, seminars, workshops, exchange of good practices, ad hoc support, etc.)

• Guiding projects selected through calls

• Facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations at national and regional level

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DEVCOLocal calls in 2011

• Strengthening CSOs' capacity to promote reform and increase public accountability

• Supporting CSO oversight functions in the area of public finance policy and management

• Strengthening and promoting CSO's role in reforming local self-governance

• Capacity building of human rights organisations

• Strengthening capacities of CSOs and local authorities for the delivery of administrative services

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DEVCONeighbourhood East Civil Society Facility

2012-2013

• Stronger engagement with CSOs in the implementation of

bilateral cooperation

• Civil society is a crucial partner in policy dialogues, local

development, sector support programmes and budget

support

• Local calls for proposals launched by EU Delegations

• Regional call for proposals (€ 3.4 million) to be launched in

early 2014

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DEVCOThe Civil Society Facility 2012-2013

Proposed activities:

o Training for CSOso Exchange of best practiceo Support to CSO projectso Support to networks of CSOs,o CSO twinningo Capacity building for public authorities on how to better

involve CSOs in policy-making

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DEVCOSupport to Civil Society beyond 2013

• New instrument to support civil society organisations and local actors from 2014 onwards

• Continue support to CSOs in the new European Neighbourhood Instrument

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DEVCO

Thank you for your attention!

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