The EU Development Policy and The Role of CSOs in the Region

1. The EU Development Policy and The Role of CSOs in the Region

2. EU Development Policy : Overview and Context EU Development policy – aim at poverty eradication in MDG context EU action on the ground is based on : the European Consensus on Development (2005) : a common EU (Commission and MS) vision of development, first time in 50 years. EU partnerships and dialogue with developing countries. The EU - the world's largest donorhas committed to improving Aid Effectiveness and thereby Development effectiveness. Paris Declaration (2005) and Accra Agenda for Action/AAA (2008) – a central role of the EU. Policy Coherence for Development - to better articulate Development Policy with other elements of EU action, thereby reinforcing the EU contribution to developing countries progress towards the MDGs.

3. EU Development Policy : Approaches – guiding principles - Differentiated approach (mix of objectives and modalities, depending on context and needs – LDCs, LICs-MICs, fragile states) and concentration at country/regional level A variety of modalities based on needs and performance. i.e. grants, project aid, budget support, micro-finance approach, EIB investments. Promotion of CSOs participation in the definition, implementation and evaluation of EC development strategies

4. EU Development Policy : Approaches and Modalities (2) The Community's contribution is focused on a number of areas of intervention (trade, environment and energy, water, infrastructure, rural development, governance, conflict prevention, human development, cohesion and employment), responding to the needs, as identified by partner countries. These are complemented by attention to issues, cutting across all above sectors: democracy and good governance, the rights of children and indigenous peoples, gender equality, environmental sustainability and the fight agains HIV/AIDS EU development programmes - geographically-based, supplemented by a range of thematic instruments and programmes, complementary and subsidiary to the above

5. The Role of CSOs in the Region and Support to CSOs Role of CSOs in the Region

6. The Role of CSOs in the Region and Support to CSOs (2) • Role of CSOs in Region – Common Characteristics • Substantial growth in numbers and influence of CSOs (with important levels of qualifications and skills) in recent years, however: • Still important focus on service delivery vs the “more political” advocacy • No determining role in public policy making – interaction with government exists, though failing to translate into policy (issues of inconsistent level of direct involvement of CSOs, representation of CS at large, etc) • Donor-dependent, hence operating in a competitive environment, creating constraints for the development of locally owned strategies

7. The Role of CSOs in the Region and Support to CSOs (3) • EC Support to CSOs as implementers and dialogue partners - Types • 9th and 10th EDF geographic programmes (under focal and non-focal sectors)on institutional reinforcement and capacity building for both advocacy and service delivery (ex. CSCBP Uganda 8 M EUR 2005-2008, followed up by DGAP 12 M 2009-2013). • Thematic Programmes (DCI) – CSO initiative based, pilot actions to address sensitive issues, partnership in difficult contexts (NSA/LA, Investing in People…) and other Thematic Instruments - EIDHR, Instrument for Stability • In specific cases, support to CSOs can be integrated in a GBS or a sector policy support programme (SPSP) (ex Zambia’s PRBS-II and South Africa’s Access to Justice and Promotion of Constitutional Rights programme)

8. The Role of CSOs in the Region and Support to CSOs (4) • Trends in CSOs’ participation - 10th EDF CSP programming and current MTR • Well organised and timely involvement of CSOs in the drafting of CSP, with CSOs input and feedback incorporated in strategy documents (Botswana and Malawi best examples). • Consultation/information sharing type on programming in the cases of Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Lesotho • Ad-hoc consultation of CSOs in Namibia (delays, priority setting NDP3) • Special cases : Zimbabwe (Cotonou Art 96 Consultations closed with, since 2002 EC assistance limited to direct support under B envelope) and Tanzania (10th EDF programming in context of JAS) • MTR of 10th EDF : in-country phase June-Oct 2009, with MTR guidelines to be shared with CSOs in country, involving them from onset

9. EuropeAid STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT WITH CIVIL SOCIETY:Co-operation with civil society in the region from the perspective of the EU’s human rights policy Davide Zaru DG Relex

10. EU human rights policy in the third countries: ID card • Monitoring of the situation and action on specific cases • Political dialogue: 1) EU to country; 2) regional dialogue (e.g. African Union) • Co-operation in multilateral fora, notably the United Nations • Support to the international human right5s institutions, to human rights NGOs and to human rights defenders

11. Principles and priorities • Principles: universality - interdependence • Specific priorities: • Death penalty • Torture • Children and armed conflict • Violence against children • Human Rights defenders • Violence and discrimination against women

12. Results of political dialogue should feed into EU assistance • Human rights relevance of Country Strategy Papers • Capacity building activities through thematic instruments

13. How does Civil Society slot in the picture? • Civil Society supports the monitoring role of the EU • EU supports and protects human rights defenders • Civil Society organisations are associated in political dialogues: • Article 8 dialogues • African Union • Civil Society organisations are associated in the development and review of Country Strategy Papers

14. In the framework of the co-operation between the EU and the African Union • Partnership on democratic governance and human rights • AU-EU human rights dialogue

15. HR dialogue with the African Union • Objectives • Open up official human rights dialogue to the European and African academic and NGO communities and create a space for non-confrontational discussion; • Encourage academics and members of civil society to feed the agenda of the official dialogue with their views; and • Encourage the effective implementation of shared human rights commitments.