Development and

Cooperation

Development and

Cooperation

Information session on the draft Communication

'Engaging with Civil Society Organisations for Democratic Governance and Sustainable

Development'

CODEVBrussels, 16 July 2012

Virginia Manzitti, DG DEVCO, deputy HoU, Unit D2 ”Civil society, Local Authorities”

DEVCO

2

Presentation overview

• Structured Dialogue

• The consultation• The respondents• Key messages

• Why a new policy?

• The forthcoming Communication

• Tentative planning

DEVCO

3

Policy context

• The Structured Dialogue on the involvement of Civil Society and Local Authorities in EC Development Cooperation (March 2010- May 2011)

• The Agenda for Change & the Future Approach to EU Budget Support to Third Countries (2011, Council Conclusions 2012)

• The Busan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (2011)

DEVCOFocus on CSOs

• CSOs and LAs belong to two different systems and both deserve specific and comprehensive policy coverage

• Recent political developments and increasing concerns about the shrinking space for CSO action.

• Almost 10 years since the last Communication on the participation of Non State Actors (NSAs) in EC Development Policy (2002).

• A dedicated Communication on Local Authorities: Actors in Development foreseen for early 2013

DEVCO

5

The consultation

• Online consultation (19 questions) – closed 7 May: o Approx. 320 contributions received worldwide

• Five EU Member States contributed: France, Latvia, Italy, the Czech Republic, and

the UK.

• Consultation meetings organised by 10 EU Delegations: o In Azerbaijan, Burundi, CAR, Georgia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Nepal,

Senegal and South Africa

• Consultation session at the Policy Forum on Developmento Attended by approx. 70 representatives of CSOs, LAs and Member States

DEVCO

6

Respondents to the online consultation

A vast majority of CSOs are NGOs, followed by faith-based organisations, foundations and community based organisations

More than 90% of the respondents are CSOs

5 Member States contributed

DEVCO

7

ACP region takes the lead, followed by Europe and Latin America

Fifteen countries particularly stand out

Respondents to the online consultation

DEVCO

8

Structure of the consultation paper

CSOs and

development effectiveness

(section 2.1)

DEVCO

2.1: CSOs & the aid effectiveness agenda

How can CSOs apply in their activities the Aid and Development Effectiveness Principles of Busan?

Key messages:

• CSOs to develop their roles as independent development actors

& support a human-right-based approach to development.

• Where conditions permit, CSOs to partnership with governments

(in their various forms) to shape and oversee the implementation of

policies within democratic ownership.

•CSO to strenghten their own governance and accountability

9

DEVCO

10

CSOs & the aid effectiveness agenda

DEVCO

1111

2.2: Promoting an enabling environment for CSOs

How can different actors help to promote an enabling environment for CSO? How can progress be measured? Role of social media?

Key messages:

•Support a right-based approach to development & endorse a

reaffirmed political role by mainstreaming the support to an EE and

engagement with CS as an integral aspect of EU support.

•In countries under repressive regimes, the EU should apply the “do

no Harm” principle & ensure flexibility to adapt to changing

conditions.

•Information, transparency &free access to the media play a

cornerstone role in the promotion of an EE

DEVCO

12

In all contexts, the EU should…

DEVCO

13

In fragile and repressive environments, the EU should…

DEVCO

14

Suggestions for indicators : the “top ten” being..

DEVCO

1515

2.3: Promoting CS participation in public processes and Domestic Accountability

What are the challenges and opportunities? How can progress be measured? Effective entry points? CSOs role in DA?

Key message:

•Budget processes are key & require democratic participation.

•Participatory budgeting should be part of a long-term engagement, with consultations, policymaking, monitoring and accountability.

•CSO involvement from an early stage.

•CSOs’ role in DA and in oversight functions is broader than donor budget support.

DEVCO

16

Suggestions for measuring CS involvement

DEVCO10 criteria to ensure that CSOs are representative and legitimate…

17

DEVCO

1818

2.4 & 2.5.: CS internal capacity and CS internal governance Approaches to improve donor support to Capacity Development? International CSOs’ roles? Challenges to implement internal governance mechanisms?

Key messages:

•Avoid a “one-size fits all” model and develop a comprehensive,

tailored and harmonised approach

•Embrace a long-term programmatic vision.

•EU to support tailored & self-developed capacity development

initiatives and exchange of experiences & know-how.

•Value added of EU-based organizations; mutual and peer

learning, mentoring, exchanges, connections

DEVCO

19

What constitutes good practice in capacity development

DEVCO

2020

2.6: Strategic engagement at country level

How to build a solid and informed EU engagement with local CSOs in a given country?

 Key messages:

•Invest in understanding the local arena,

•Implementing sound mapping and context analysis systems and

techniques .

•Support tripartite dialogue & information flows and ensure continuity

in the interaction with and support to local actors beyond the

capital.

DEVCOEU strategic engagement at country level

21

DEVCO

2222

2.7: Other issues

How should the EU support these new trends?

 Key messages:

•“Keep the eyes open” to gain a better understanding of changing dynamics

and develop rapid, innovative and flexible systems and mechanisms to

respond to new emerging trends & actors.

•Support multi-stakeholders approaches to development and actively

promote tripartite dialogue to sensitize governments on these realities.

•Be open to diversity and work with a broader range of types of CSO,

ensuring inclusivity.

DEVCOThe EU is encouraged to..

23

DEVCOThe forthcoming Communication

• Towards a more strategic engagement with CSOs

• Overall perspective Constructive relations between states and

CSOs

24

Three priorities:

1.Promoting a conducive environment for CSOs

2.Promoting meaningful and structured participation of CSOs :o Domestic policies;o EU programming cycle;o International processes.

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

more effectively.

DEVCOWhy a new policy?

• The importance of CSOs:

o Crucial component of democracy

o Contribute to more responsive and effective policies

o Contribute to inclusive growth and the fight against poverty

o Contribute to more transparent and accountable governance

o Asset in itself

• A changing landscape and contrasted developmentso CSOs recognized as "development actor in their own right"

o Increase in number & diversity, coalitions

o More fluid forms of citizen action

o The rise of the Internet & social media

o Limited dialogue with the state

o Shrinking space for CSOs & restrictive measures

o CSO internal challenges (governance, capacity & funding access) 25

DEVCO

Structure of the draft Communication

• Shaping EU support

Towards more strategic engagement and support to local CSOs

o Focus on capacity development

• Reinforce support to capacity development of local CSOs

• Long term, flexible and demand driven approach

• Partnerships with EU CSOs

o Funding adapted to local needs

• Appropriate mix of flexible funding modalities

• Improving access for local CSOs

o Coordinated EU action

• Better understanding of the CSO arena

• Development of long term frameworks for CSO support

• Better coordination and communication between EU and Member States26

DEVCOTentative planning

• Inter Service Group: July 2012

• Translation: August 2012

• Adoption: September 2012

• Presentation to CODEV: 6 September

• Possible Council Conclusions: by 15 October 2012 (tbc)

27