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Preparing the Communication on Civil Society Organisations in Development

Preparing the Communication on Civil Society Organisations in Development. Contents. Background and context: The Structured Dialogue The Agenda for Change The Busan Partnership The Preparation of the Communication A new paradigm The process Issues for consultation More information.

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Preparing the Communication on Civil Society Organisations in Development

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  1. Preparing the Communication on Civil Society Organisations in Development

  2. Contents • Background and context: • The Structured Dialogue • The Agenda for Change • The Busan Partnership • The Preparation of the Communication • A new paradigm • The process • Issues for consultation • More information

  3. Background and 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 (2011) • The Busan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation

  4. The Structured Dialogue Key messages and recommendations: • EU to promote enabling environment in partner countries; • Strategic involvement of CSOs/LAs - right of initiative; • EU to promote/support inclusive multi stakeholders dialogue; • Need to better coordinate at local level – consultation; • Improve partnership between European and southern CSOs; • European CSOs to acknowledge leading role of local CSOs; • Civil Society to be more accountable and transparent; • Strategic mapping of CSOs at country level; • Reinforced networks with CSOs and LA focal points in delegations; • Revise selection and support mechanisms: beyond traditional Calls.

  5. The Agenda for Change …… “Building on the ‘Structured Dialogue’, the EU should strengthen its links with civil society organisations, social partners and local authorities, through regular dialogue and use of best practices.” • ….. “[The EU] should support the emergence of an organised local civil society able to act as a watchdog and partner in dialogue with national governments.”

  6. The Busan Partnership • Article 22: CSOs play a vital role in: • enabling people to claim their rights; • promoting rights-based approaches; • shaping development policies and partnerships; • overseeing their implementation. • they also provide services in areas that are complementary to those provided by states.

  7. The Busan Partnership (cont’d) Commitment to: • Implement fully our respective commitments to enable CSOs to exercise their roles as independent development actors, with a particular focus on an enabling environment. • Encourage CSOs to implement practices that strengthen their accountability and their contribution to development effectiveness.

  8. A new paradigm • To promote a strategic engagement with CSOs • Emphasis on local CSOs and on governance-related roles • Scope of the Communication: • Policy and Strategy • Operational component for 2014 – 2020 cycle (proposed) -Overall support to CSOs through geographical funds -The new Thematic Programme for CSOs and LAs

  9. The process • Online consultation – 19 questions – open till May 7th 2012 • Consultations by EU Delegations • Discussions with stakeholders • Adoption of the Communication: Autumn 2012

  10. Issues for consultation • Framing current international debates • Responding to the challenges related to a shrinking legal and regulatory space for CSO action; • Promoting the participation of CSOs in public policy processes and in domestic accountability; • Enhancing CSO internal capacity; • CSO internal governance and accountability; • Towards consistent EU engagement with local CSOs at country level; • New areas for reflection.

  11. 1. Framing current international debates CSOs and the Busan aid effectiveness principles: • Busan marked a shift from ‘aid effectiveness’ -> ‘development effectiveness’; • Focus on enabling environment, partnerships and ‘democratic ownership’; • Reference to CSOs self regulatory mechanisms: accountability, transparency. • How can CSOs apply in their activities the Aid and Development Effectiveness principles of Busan?

  12. 2. Responding to to a shrinking space for CSO action • A democratic system that ensures in law and in practice the right to organise, to secure funding, freedom of expression and information and to participate in public affairs • How can different actors help promote an enabling environment? • What are good indicators? • How can the media contribute to an enabling environment for CSO?

  13. 3. Participation of CSOs in policy processes and in domestic accountability • To ensure effective pro-poor policies and management of public resources. > Democratic ownership • Challenges/opportunities for CSO involvement in policy dialogues? • What indicators to measure progress in CSO participation? • How can the EU support CSO participation in policy processes and oversight functions? • What are the most effective entry points for CSOs in ‘participatory budgetary processes’?

  14. 4. Enhancing CSO internal capacity • The ability of CSOs to enhance their contribution to development is challenged by various capacity constraints. • Weaknesses have been identified in donors’ traditional support schemes for CSO capacity development. • What approaches should be developed to improve donor support to capacity development of CSOs? • What are the role and added value of international/ EU based CSOs in this area?

  15. 5. CSO internal governance and accountability • There is increasing pressure on CSOs to show they are accountable, transparent and representative, and to reinforce their credibility. Important also for identifying legitimate, transparent and representative CSO interlocutors. • What are the main challenges CSOs face in implementing mechanisms for improving internal governance (such as the Istanbul principles)? • How can the EU support implementation of such mechanisms? • How can CSOs measure progress in the implementation?

  16. 6. Towards a consistent EU engagement with local CSOs at country level • There is a need for a coherent EU strategy at country level, starting with thorough understanding of CSO roles and dynamics and the context in which they operate. • What are other key elements to be considered in building a solid and informed EU engagement with local CSOs in a given country? • How should country level political dynamics be considered in engaging with CSOs and supporting their governance-related roles?

  17. 7. New areas for reflection • The ‘Arab Spring’ highlighted the potential role of social movements and other forms of civic action. • People are increasingly making use of new channels to make their voices heard, including the social media. • Diaspora civil society is a fast emerging force for development. • CSOs and others are increasingly engaging in private initiatives for development. • What are the implications and opportunities for CSOs emerging from these trends? • How in your opinion should the EU respond to these trends?

  18. More information: • Development and Cooperation – EuropeAid (DEVCO): http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/how/public-consultations/6405_en.htm • Civil Society Helpdesk (CISOCH): https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/aidco/index.php/Main_Page • Or send an email to: DEVCO-CSO-CONSULTATION@ec.europa.eu

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