Transcript NGOs - Sivil Toplum Geliştirme Merkezi Derneği
The European Civil Society and its dealings with the European Institutions
I. The role of civil dialogue in the EU
• The search for a participatory democracy • Institutional definitions • The role of CSOs
The search for a participatory democracy
Participation to policy formulation The EU legal framework for civil society participation Gaining legitimacy through civil dialogue Involving the candidate and accession countries civil society in the enlargement process
Institutional definitions
Civil Society organization: economic, social operators outside government and public administration NGOs: non member-oriented objectives International focus NGOs platform: cross-thematic co-ordination NGOs networks: thematic co-ordination
European institutions involved
European Economic and Social Committee: Advisory body for the Commission and the Parliament. Employers / employees/ Diverse activities components Council of Europe: focus on Human rights. No direct link to EU institutions.
European court of Human Rights: linked to the Council
European Institutions relations with SCOs
Council of ministers ADOPTS LEGISLATION WITH THE PARLIAMENT TRHOUGH CO-LEGISLATION PROCEDURE Amends legislative proposals from the Commission Defines and implements the EU common foreign policy European Parliament: Chamber Bureau Sanding Committees: Development / of Foreign Affairs / International Trade etc.
Proposes guidelines for the legislative programme to the Commission.Request / gives opinion on legislative proposals from the Commission DG Trade Commissioner Trade policy formulation (WTO) DG Enlargment Commissioner Monitors the enlargement process COMMISSION DG External Relations Commissioner Co-ordination of the external activities Interface Council of Europe EuropeAid Co-operation Office Implements the external aid instruments CARDS / TACIS / MEDA / Africa / Asia/ Latin America Policy formulation level DG Development Commissioner Formulates co-operation policy, co-ordinates relations with ACP ECHO Humanitarian Aid Office: In charge of implementing and Moitoring humanitarian projects Other DGs Policy implementation level SCOs
The role of civil dialogue
CSOs as dialogue facilitators CSOs as implementation actors CSOs as information relays
II. Origins of the European NGOs networks and platforms
The immediate post-war period: networks around the United Nations Networks development around the Council of Europe during the 60’s European and national platforms constitution around the European Institutions Networks and platforms joining into CONCORD
Networks development around the Council of Europe
NGOs consultative status (SCOs observers, SCOs communications) The Council direct link to the governement and it’s focus on human rights
European and National platforms constitution around the EU institutions
The CLONG creation: a Commission monitored process CLONG creation impact on the national level co-ordination
NGOs Networks and platforms joining into CONCORD
Examples of positive impact from NGOs advocacy on the EU institutions Previous NGOs organizational pattern weaknesses -Lack of co-ordination -NGOs double representation -EU institutions financial dependency CONCORD creation (2003)
III.NGOs Platforms and networks structure and mission
National platforms European Networks CONCORD
National platforms
Mission: REPRESENTATION, information, advice, development education, (activities in the South) Structure: Board, General Assembly, Executive Committee, Secretariat Funding: membership fees, governemental funding Registration criteria: legal status, country bases, min. years of experience, development focused, statutory organs
European networks
Mission: ADVOCACY, information, advice Structure: similar to national platforms+ sometimes working groups and steering committee Categories: professional / NGOs. Different families of NGOs Funding: Commission and membership fees
CONCORD
Mission Membership (18 national platforms, 15 networks) Structure Funding (75% Commission, 25% membership fees) Registration criteria
CONCORD mission
To co-ordinate co-operation among NGOs in order to influence political debate and policy at EU level To improve legitimacy of NGOs as strategic EU institutions partners To ensure stable and quality access to the EU institutions To contribute to capacity building at NGOs level
CONCORD Structure
General Assembly WG EU Financing Advisory Council WG EU Presidence WG Dev. education WG Cotonou Convenors Forum WG Trade The Board WG Dev. funding WG Food Security WG Enlargement WG Future of Europe Secretariat
IV. CSOs dealings with the European Institutions
Main existing consultation processes European Economic and Social Committee’s role in debate The European institutions Minimum standards and principles for consultation
Main existing consultation processes
DG External Relations/DG Dev/DG Trade/DG Employment and Social Affairs -ACP-UE Joint Parliament Macro level Meso level Group of 8 and DG Environment -European Initiative for H.R. dialogue -Food Security dialogue (EuronAid) CONCORD –EuropeAid dialogue on funding instruments
The European Economic and Social Committee role in debate
The EESC self image as an intermediary position between the SCOs and the european institutions The NGOs conception of the EESC as facilitator of a direct dialogue with the institutions
Minimum standards and principles
Welcomed as a first step in the consultations regulation process by the CSOs Target groups:favours European level organizations as interlocutors Feedback mechanisms
V. Challenges in the EU-SCOs dialogue
Networks and confederation internal challenges EU institutions – SCOs dialogue Enlargement impact on EU institutions SCOs dialogue
Networks and confederation internal challenges
Search for financial autonomy Establishing joint positions notwithstanding huge heterogeneity National and European levels advocacy activities co-ordination Taking small NGOs into account
EU institutions- SCOs dialogue
Eligibility criteria Need for a legal basis and a Commission wide framework for consultation More informal and flexible mechanisms Improve EU inter-service co-ordination
Enlargement impact on EU institutions -SCOs dialogue
A different relation to developing countries Aid structures implementation Capacity building in CSOs
VI. Turkish CSOs prospects
Current European funding available Advantages and constraints of joining a network Turkish CSOs access to the EU co-financing scheme Guidance et technical advice
Current European funding available
Civil Society development programme European Initiative for democracy and Human Rights Development of H.R., Democracy and Citizenship Education Public Sector- Civil Society Cooperation Programme
Advantages and constraints of joining platforms and networks
Increase in advocacy capacities Information and knowlege sharing Technical support Staff and time consuming Financial constraints
Turkish CSOs access to the European co-financing scheme
Recent Turkish association law reform Attracting EU funding Legal framework for foreign CSOs Conditions for establishment Respect of national law
Guidance and technical advice
Guidance for the accession countries: The Trialog project -Aims -Activities
Trialog objectives
Linking NGOs Building capacities Raising awareness
Trialog activities
Training Joint projects CSOs online database Support in platform constitution