Development and Cooperation

1. Information session on the draft Communication 'Engaging with Civil Society Organisations for Democratic Governance and Sustainable Development' CODEV Brussels, 16 July 2012 Virginia Manzitti, DG DEVCO, deputy HoU, Unit D2 ”Civil society, Local Authorities” Development and Cooperation

2. Presentation overview • Structured Dialogue • The consultation • The respondents • Key messages • Why a new policy? • The forthcoming Communication • Tentative planning

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)

4. Focus 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

5. The consultation • Online consultation (19 questions) – closed 7 May: • 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: • In Azerbaijan, Burundi, CAR, Georgia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Nepal, Senegal and South Africa • Consultation session at the Policy Forum on Development • Attended by approx. 70 representatives of CSOs, LAs and Member States

6. Respondents to the online consultation More than 90% of the respondents are CSOs 5 Member States contributed A vast majority of CSOs are NGOs, followed by faith-based organisations, foundations and community based organisations

7. Respondents to the online consultation ACP region takes the lead, followed by Europe and Latin America Fifteen countries particularly stand out

8. Structure of the consultation paper CSOs and development effectiveness (section 2.1)

9. 2.1: CSOs & the aid effectiveness agendaHow 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

10. CSOs & the aid effectiveness agenda

11. 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 11

12. In all contexts, the EU should…

13. In fragile and repressive environments, the EU should…

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

15. 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. 15

16. Suggestions for measuring CS involvement

17. 10 criteria to ensure that CSOs are representative and legitimate…

18. 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 18

19. What constitutes good practice in capacity development

20. 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. 20

21. EU strategic engagement at country level

22. 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. 22

23. The EU is encouraged to..

24. The forthcoming Communication • Towards a more strategic engagement with CSOs • Overall perspective  Constructive relations between states and CSOs • Three priorities: • Promoting a conducive environment for CSOs • Promoting meaningful and structured participation of CSOs : • Domestic policies; • EU programming cycle; • International processes. • Increasing the capacity of local CSOs to perform their roles more effectively.

25. Why a new policy? • The importance of CSOs: • Crucial component of democracy • Contribute to more responsive and effective policies • Contribute to inclusive growth and the fight against poverty • Contribute to more transparent and accountable governance • Asset in itself • A changing landscape and contrasted developments • CSOs recognized as "development actor in their own right" • Increase in number & diversity, coalitions • More fluid forms of citizen action • The rise of the Internet & social media • Limited dialogue with the state • Shrinking space for CSOs & restrictive measures • CSO internal challenges (governance, capacity & funding access)

26. Structure of the draft Communication • Shaping EU support  Towards more strategic engagement and support to local CSOs • Focus on capacity development • Reinforce support to capacity development 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 • Development of long term frameworks for CSO support • Better coordination and communication between EU and Member States

27. Tentative 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)