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Financial Instruments supporting
civil society cooperation initiatives
in the Black Sea region
Black Sea NGO Forum, 6th Edition
Bucharest, 4-6 September 2013
Development
and
Cooperation
The EU's engagement with civil society
in external relations
DEVCO
 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)
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Development
and
Cooperation
The Communication in a nutshell (i)
DEVCO
• Towards a more strategic engagement with CSOs in Developing,
Neighbourhood and Enlargement countries
• Facilitate constructive relations between states and CSOs
• Three priorities:
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.
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Development
and
Cooperation
The Communication in a nutshell (ii)
DEVCO
• Promoting an enabling
environment (1)
6. CSOs in
regional and
global settings
• Strong focus on the country level
1. Promoting
an enabling
environment
and empowerment of local
actors (2-5)
5. CSOs’ work
for inclusive
and sustainable
growth
2. Inclusive
policy-making
for better
governance
• CSOs in regional and global
settings
(6)
4. Social
services:
partnerships
for better
quality
• Shaping EU support
3. Domestic
transparency
&
accountability
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Development
and
Cooperation
EU Support: Towards a more strategic engagement
with CSOs
Capacity
development
Funding adapted
to local needs
Coordinated EU
action
• Reinforce capacity of
local CSOs
• Appropriate mix of
flexible funding
modalities
• Better understanding
of the CSO arena
• Improving access for
local CSOs
• Better coordination
between EU and
Member States
• Long term, flexible and
demand driven
approach
• Partnerships with EU
CSOs
DEVCO
• Roadmaps for
engagement with
CSOs
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Boosting EU engagement with civil society
in partner countries
DEVCO
• 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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Boosting EU engagement with civil society
in partner countries
DEVCO
• 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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EU Support to CSOs in the Neighbourhood
DEVCO
• 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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Civil society funding 2007-2013 for the
Eastern Neighbourhood region (million €)
DEVCO
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The Civil Society Facility: a renewed
commitment and a new approach
DEVCO
• Building capacity and promoting engagement
• Civil society associated to sectoral dialogue and support
• Crucial partner in:
o
o
policy dialogue
development and implementation of national reforms
• Transparency and oversight in new approach to Budget
Support
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Overview of 2011 funding
DEVCO
• Call for proposals to:
o Strengthen networks and their actions
o 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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Selected projects in 2011
DEVCO
• 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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Capacity building for CSOs
DEVCO
• 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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Local calls in 2011
DEVCO
• 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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Neighbourhood East Civil Society Facility
2012-2013
DEVCO
• 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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The Civil Society Facility 2012-2013
DEVCO
Proposed activities:
o
o
o
o
o
o
Training for CSOs
Exchange of best practice
Support to CSO projects
Support to networks of CSOs,
CSO twinning
Capacity building for public authorities on how to better
involve CSOs in policy-making
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Support to Civil Society beyond 2013
DEVCO
• 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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