Friday 1 April 2011

Towards New Instruments for CSOs – CONCORD position paper

CONCORD has recently published a discussion paper presenting the network’s proposal of new instruments for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). They were developed in the context of the on-going Structured Dialogue but also address the up-coming negotiations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period after 2013.

Headline proposals of the paper on the overall picture of EC funding for civil society in development are:

  • The total annual EC funding for civil society in development cooperation should be at least 15% of the total EC ODA.
  • The architecture for ODA should incorporate a complementary framework of both geographic and thematic funding in order to guarantee flexibility and to best meet the varied needs of development aid.
  • The thematic programmes and instruments which are currently in place should be retained and strengthened; and there should be areas of thematic focus, in relation to promoting global civil society, human rights, and linking relief, rehabilitation, and development (LRRD). Detailed proposals in relation to EC funding for civil society in development: Proposal one: Up to 15% of geographical (country based) funds should be earmarked for civil society actions Proposal two: Create a new revised Civil Society Instrument: “Promoting and supporting Global Civil Society”. Proposal three: Implement an approach that links relief, rehabilitation and development (LRRD) and is able to address disaster preparedness and fill the gaps between humanitarian relief and long term development funding of the EU. Proposal four: Create a revised and enlarged “Instrument to promote Human Rights and Democratic Processes” that increases support to all human rights and the UN Conventions.

    Especially relevant for New Member States is that as one of the key principles regarding implementing mechanisms CONCORD demands targeted, transitional support mechanisms for organisations within New Member States which have been aid recipients. They are meant to assist both their transition to donor status as well as in engaging in EU policy-making.

    Another important proposal for CSOs in general is to reserve a certain amount of money, e.g. earmarking 15% of geographical funding for CSOs. These ring-fencing funds mean a positive discrimination to increase access to funding for local CSOs. In future this could be used as a lobby tool for CSOs also in the New Member States to raise more funds.

    Read the full document

    Contact: Elise.VANORMELINGEN@concordeurope.org

    Source: CONCORD; Information provided by Ulrike Bey, TRIALOG

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