The EU's engagement with civil society in external relations

1. Financial Instruments supporting civil society cooperation initiatives in the Black Sea regionBlack Sea NGO Forum, 6th EditionBucharest, 4-6 September 2013

2. 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

3. The 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: Development and Cooperation

4. The Communication in a nutshell (ii) • 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

5. EU Support: Towards a more strategic engagement with CSOs • Capacity development • Reinforce capacity of local CSOs • Long term, flexible and demand driven approach • Partnerships with EU 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. EU 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

9. Civil society funding 2007-2013 for the Eastern Neighbourhood region (million €)

10. The 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: • policy dialogue • development and implementation of national reforms • Transparency and oversight in new approach to Budget Support

11. Overview of 2011 funding • Call for proposals to: • Strengthen networks and their actions • 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

12. Selected 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

13. Capacity 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

14. Local 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

15. Neighbourhood 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

16. The Civil Society Facility 2012-2013 Proposed activities: • 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

17. Support 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

18. Thank you for your attention!