The Czech NGDOs platform FoRS finds the year 2008 promising from one important view – the long-lasting advocacy efforts reached the partly milestone in kick-off of the transformation process of the Czech ODA system, which was agreed by the Czech Government by the end 2007. The transformation sees the aim of the actual centralisation of the ODA system under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which should lead to more transparency and effectiveness. As part of the process, two new bodies started to work at the beginning of the year as well.
The new Czech Development Agency (CZDA) was set up by the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs as part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with effect from January 1, 2008. The CZDA will gradually overtake administration and monitoring of development projects from all ministries. The CZDA is the successor of the Development Centre of the Institute of International Relations. It has only 10 staff in 2008, but should rise up to 30 in two years. The fair relationship of FoRS with the Department of development co-operation at MFA as well as the Czech Development Agency has been kept and is believed to get new impetus to develop further.
The Czech Council on ODA was established as ODA inter-ministerial coordination body and advisory institution to MFA. The Council has 15 members – deputy ministers representing all ministries involved in the development co-operation. The Czech NGDOs platform FoRS has a statute of associated member to the Council (together with CZDA and platform of private sector in development). Thanks to this position, FoRS has direct access to all the matters on discussions and relevant documents, it can be actively participating in the Council working groups on different topics, and rise questions and issues vis-à-vis all ministerial stakeholders in development. The Council will mainly deal with preparation of legal base for ODA, programming, annual planning as well as evaluations of ODA. The Council should meet every 2 months – 1st meeting was in February, the next is on April 18.
The transformation process has only started – it is foreseen to be finalised by end 2010. The procedures and ways of operations are only to be developed and proven. Still, FoRS believes that this necessary transition period will in the end bring its fruits – in having more transparent and effective ODA system. The still challenging issue remains – not only to advocate for better aid but also for promoting the international commitments in financial levels that the Czech Government should meet till 2010 and 2015.
Information provided by Jana Krczmarova, Director of the Czech NGDO platform FoRS, sekretariat@fors.cz
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