Second Module of Training of Multipliers 2011

From 19th to 21st of October TRIALOG held the second module of the ”Training of Multipliers 2011” in Vienna. The event hosted 9 participants from Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Malta and Slovenia. The first module, held in April 2011, had focused on the EuropeAid Standard Contract and its implication for contract management as well as on training skills. The second module instead laid emphasis on training aspects like working with groups and improvement of training skills on the one hand, and on the other hand on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of projects and within the framework of an EC Standard contract. The unit on M&E was facilitated by Anja Fischer, who has spent many years working in Papua New Guinea for HORIZONT3000 with a lot of experience in M&E as well as in organisational development.

Between the first and the second module, the participants were asked to conduct a training or training unit. The aim was to gather experience and to present some of the learned issues to platform members or the organisation. These commitments and activities were presented on the first day and it turned out that all participants had been very engaged in the time between the two modules.

The participants actively participated in group exercises and discussion on various topics, in an energetic and lively atmosphere to which a cultural evening added. Three intense days in which the spirit of initiative, vitality and commitment have been protagonists, making the atmosphere stimulating and satisfying the expectations of the participants and the TRIALOG team. We hope that in future the trained participants will contribute to their platforms with the newly gained skills.

Read also about the first module Contract Management and Training Skills: new round of TRIALOG Training of Multipliers started in April

Information provided by Emilia Nunnari and Ulrike Bey, TRIALOG

TRIALOG: Junior Policy Officer in Brussels Office

TRIALOG is currently looking for a Junior Policy Officer based in Brussels (the main TRIALOG office is in Vienna), starting on 9 January 2011. Tasks and Responsibilities will include supporting the policy officer with tasks related to coordinating the CONCORD working group on Enlargement, Pre-Accession and Neighbourhood, supporting the policy officer with tasks related to NMS involvement in other CONCORD working groups and processes, supporting the policy officer with the preparation of an advocacy and lobby guide through research and drafting certain sections, other office support tasks as and when necessary, including researching the current situation of CSOs in countries of interest, attending and reporting back from relevant meetings and administrative tasks.

Applicants must have the right to live and work in Belgium. EU12 applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. The salary will be 722 EUR according to the Belgian Convention d’immersion professionnelle contract. The period of engagement will last for a total of six months, including a trial period of one month.

Please send your CV and covering letter to Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG Policy Officer, trialog@concordeurope.org by 1 December 2011. Please use ‘TRIALOG JPO’ as your title. Interviews will take place in December. See the full vacancy (pdf).

Report Launch: 2011 Spotlight on EU Policy Coherence for Development

CONCORD, the European Development NGO confederation, launched a new report entitled "Spotlight on EU Policy Coherence for Development: a Lisbon Treaty provision, a Human Rights obligation". Following a first report in 2009, the new Spotlight Report assesses different EU policies in the areas of Food Security, Natural Resources, Human Security and Migration against the benchmark of EU Policy Coherence for Development (PCD). All chapters examine in more detail specific EU policies, functions and tools in place that promote or undermine efforts towards the effective implementation of PCD. A number of recommendations to redress coherence are proposed to the EU institutions, relating to the policies, as well as to the political and institutional set-ups.

With the article 208 of the Lisbon Treaty, PCD became a legal obligation applicable to all EU institutions and Member States. The article implies that all EU policies must be in support of developing countries’ development needs, or at least not contradict the aim of poverty eradication. Nevertheless, cases of EU policies whose external impacts are clearly negatively affecting poor people in developing countries are many.

PCD is all about bringing development concerns into the policy debate in policy areas where poverty eradication is hardly ever discussed. Therefore, development education is a key strategy. Strengthened awareness and capacity in the EU insitutions and in the Member States is necessary to avoid creating incoherencies. The launch event of CONCORD's second report "Spotlight on EU Policy Coherence for Development" took place on 7 November in Brussels with a panel discussion bringing together CONCORD members and representatives from EU institutions including MEP Birgit Schnieber-Jastram, PCD Standing Rapporteur, MEP Ska Keller, Vincent Grimaud, Head of Unit at European Commission DG DEVCO.

The report and other PCD-related documents (case studies, country profiles, position papers, statistics, etc) are available on CONCORD’s new dedicated website: http://www.coherence.concordeurope.org/

Information provided by Blandine Bouniol, CONCORD

FDR meeting: A Look Back and a Vision for the Future

From 12-13 October 2011, the CONCORD working group on Funding for Development and Relief (FDR) met in Brussels for its second annual meeting. Representatives of national platforms and of transnational networks shared information about current developments and took a look into the future of the work of the FDR, discussing the draft Strategic Framework for 2011-2020.

The exchange between the working group members revealed the devastating impact of the financial crisis on funding for development cooperation. In some countries, calls for proposals have been frozen and funds put on hold – leaving NGDOs in a funding gap and struggling to survive. The continued work of the FDR for more and better EU funding for quality work by NGDOs is a crucial element in overcoming these challenges. Looking back, the successes of the last year were celebrated such as the growth of issues studied by the FDR and its broadened scope.

The meeting also saw the election of a new Steering Group (now composed of World Vision, Handicap International, Plan, CARE and the Spanish and German National Platforms) and the election of Anette Wulf (German National Platform) as new co-chair alongside Alexandra Makaroff (Plan). Regarding the composition of the Steering Group, a more balanced representation between platforms and networks and an increased participation of EU12 representatives was expressed as desired. This will be taken into account in future planning.

Other topics of the meeting included an update about the Structured Dialogue and its follow-up, the FDR engagement on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and future external action instruments as well as inputs from the FDR subgroups (Financial Regulation, Deconcentration, DCI Thematic Programmes). The EPAN working group (Enlargement, Pre-Accession and Neighbourhood) presented a draft statement on the new European Neighbourhood Civil Society Facility which was announced by the EC in September 2011 in reaction to the events of the “Arab Spring” and its strong CSO involvement. EPAN has long advocated for such a civil society facility to be established in the neighbourhood and welcomes this initiative. At the same time, EPAN voiced concern over the accessibility of the funds for CSOs. Following the discussions between the working groups, an FDR-EPAN statement will be developed. Read the statement.

A joint session with members of the DARE (Development Awareness Raising and Education) Forum at which both groups’ priorities for 2012 were presented concluded the meeting.

Information provided by Faika El-Nagashi, TRIALOG

CONCORD Special Event on Identity

‘We are all CONCORD’, the ‘Octopus’, ‘A common position of Development NGO’s’…CONCORD can mean different things to different people, depending on their relationship and involvement in CONCORDs work as the special event on CONCORD identity showed on 9 November in Brussels. Participants from right across Europe gathered to discuss how to shape a clearer identity for CONCORD, as part of the first major event on the topic. Members were given an informative overview by President Justin Kilcullen of how CONCORD was set up in 2003 and the challenges faced from establishing a new organization from the origins of the old NGO Liaison committee. Consultant Florian Eisele moderated the event. He outlined that every organisation has a brand, an identity, a perception about what it is and this ultimately has effects on the strength of advocacy relations with other stakeholders. The CONCORD Board leading several workshops and open discussions amongst members. Workshops discussed CONCORDs relationships with other stakeholders and CSO’s, it’s core identity and its relationship with members. There was a general sense that CONCORD identity can improve, and that a special taskforce could be set up to follow on with discussions. More information will follow with a detailed report of the meeting soon. A big thank you to all participants for open and fruitful discussions. For any specific information contact: communication@concordeurope.org

Information provided by Daniel Puglisi, CONCORD

Development Cooperation and Education in the Baltic Countries – main challenges

During the conference „Development Cooperation Policies and Trends: Lithunia’s Role towards the EU Presidency in 2013" on 4th of November 2011, Julius Norvila, board member of the Lithuanian Development Education and Awareness Raising Network LITDEA, presented an overview about development cooperation and education in the Baltic countries. He painted a picture of steady decrease in respect for international commitments, universal human rights and public support for development assistance, expressed in very low numbers of ODA contributions. The legislative framework is still inadequate and national aid co-operation programs and funding are lacking. This hinders NGOs and allows them to implement only short term projects and small scale activities, which in turn has led Baltic countries to compromise their partnership commitments to countries who are on priority list and need assistance. Norvila suggests to renew the development cooperation system which should focus on the quality of development assistance and global education programs and projects. Read the full presentation.

Information provided by Ulrike Bey, TRIALOG

Learning for a Just and Sustainable World - Conference

Grupa Zagranica, the Polish national platform of development NGOs, and DEEEP invite you to an international conference in the frame of the Polish EU presidency. The conference 'Learning for a just and sustainable world. Global Education and Education for Sustainable Development in initial teacher training' will examine current policies and concepts of implementing global education (GE) and education for sustainable development (ESD) in initial teachers training (ITT) in the EU member countries and beyond. Also, the seminar will take a closer look at similarities and differences between GE and ESD. To register, please click here.
This event will take place the day before the European Development Days, which will take place on 15 and 16 December. CONCORD proposes a panel on "Beyond 2015 - A citizens driven agenda" on 16 December in the morning. Matt Baillie Smith is one of the invited speakers and will bring a development education perspective in the discussion.

Information provided by Ana Biurrun, DEEEP

Regional Conference » National Identity in the Context of Global Citizenship«

The Slovenian development NGO Platform Sloga held a conference »National Identity in the Context of Global Citizenship« on 17th and 18th October 2011. The conference focused on how to address issues of national identity in the context of global citizenship and to question whether the concept of citizenship remains rooted in a nation-state or whether its understanding has been changed through the process of globalization. Most of the participants were from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, Romania and Slovenia, but also from the countries of the Western Balkans. They were from different institutions, like governmental, educational and non-governmental. In the 2 days of the conference there have been panel discussions and workshops which were held by various experts and practitioners from different parts of the world, mostly Europeans.

With the support of North-South Centre of the Council of Europe and Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs this conference was a follow up to the series of national seminars that have taken place in the last two years in the new EU member states, in the framework of the Joint Management Agreement signed by the European Commission/DG DEVCO and the North-South Centre designed to promote global education in the new EU member states. The summary of the conference will be published shortly. Please see short video on the conference on http://studio12.si/druzba/razno-ostali-prispevki/1399-global-education-and-global-citizenship-eng.html

More information dunja.segrt@sloga-platform.org or http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/nscentre/GE_en.asp

Information provided by Dunja Segrt, Sloga

Workshops on Effectivenss and Humanitarian Action in Slovenia

In light of the 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness (HLF4), which will be held in Busan, South Korea, between 29th of November and 1st of December, Ekvilib Institute in cooperation with Sloga, Slovenian NGDOs Platform for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, organized on 20th October a workshop "The effectiveness of civil society in development cooperation - the 8 principles of effective development cooperation", part of a project financed by European Social Fund and Slovenian Ministry of Public Administration. At the workshop, participants learned about the eight principles (the Istanbul Principles) of the effectiveness of civil society in development cooperation, which were adopted in the context of a global process of consultation between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other civil society organizations, Open Forum, and so they represent a global consensus on the key elements that determine the effectiveness of civil society in development cooperation. Furthermore, the Slovenian non-governmental and governmental actors discussed how the Slovenian NGOs and other development actors should contribute to the development and implementation of the principles highlighted, with particular emphasis on advocacy and dialogue, and in conjunction with key concepts, such as policy coherence for development.

Between 12th and 14th of October a training »Introduction to Humanitarian Action« was organized by Humanitarian Response Centre, which is operating under Sloga, Slovenian NGDOs Platform for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The training was led by Mr. Iain Logan, the representative of an internationally recognized organization for humanitarian response, Global Emergency Group, and advisor for the international humanitarian aid, Jasna Djordjevic. The three-day program included lectures, discussions, video presentations, intensive case studies and exercises. The aim of the training was to acquaint participants with the basic humanitarian actions, topics and principles and to create a place, where participants exchanged experiences, gained new knowledge and developed practical skills.

Information provided by Nina Perovic, Sloga

DE Workshop in Lithuania

On the 11th of November the Lithuanian Kolping Society LITDEA held a workshop for the LITDEA member organisations, board members and staff members on Development Education. The workshop was held by Matthias Fiedler director of Irish Development Education Association (IDEA). IDEA is the national platform for organizations and individuals engaged in the provision, promotion and advancement of development education throughout the island of Ireland. The workshop objectives for participants were to become familiar with relevant current European trends in Development Education/ Global Education (DE/GE). Besides, they engaged in a reflection on how their own DE/GE work locally and nationally is situated within the European landscape and dynamics and received “European” inspirations for their own work in DE/ GE.

Mr. Fiedler presented concepts and conceptual issues of Development Education in Ireland, gave reasonable arguments why DE is needed and provided the information what DE explored. During the workshop members did group exercises and had plenary discussions on concepts of DE: informing on development co-operation; campaigning; quality in DE as well as discussions to clarify the concept for the Lithuanian situation, needs analysis for LITDEA, entry points for DE in Lithuania. All members were able to share their points of view and examples of good practise.

The results showed that in Lithuania we need stronger interest in Development Education, more communication and work with society members to promote and enhance DE throughout Lithuania. It is important to involve the ministry of science and education of Lithuania better in promoting DE through the schools.

Information provided by Ruta Ulkyte, Lithuanian Kolping Society

Prepare to Respond – Training Programme (Austrian Red Cross & RedR UK)

In 2012, the Austrian Red Cross and RedR UK are running a unique training programme for relief workers, offering a broad range of courses targeting humanitarian organizations from the new EU countries and Croatia. All training resources, accommodation and meals are covered. This has been made possible through the support of the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO). Participants have to pay a small registration fee only (for target organizations: 10 EUR per training day) and are responsible for their own travel arrangements and expenses.

The programme caters for all knowledge levels with training appropriate for individuals beginning a career within the sector to experienced relief workers looking to develop specialist skills. Diverse programmes and methodologies, skilled facilitators and international groups of 20 participants, each with different skills and experiences, will provide the ideal training environment. Held in various central and eastern European countries, the following courses will be available:

General Humanitarian Skills
- Disaster Risk Reduction
- Field Logistics in Emergencies
- Managing People and Projects in Emergencies
- Needs Assessment in Emergencies
- Training of Trainers

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
- Hand Pump Training
- Household Water Treatment
- Hygiene Promotion
- Sanitation

A limited number of NGO-participants from new EU member states will be able to get their travel costs refunded by TRIALOG. Given you are accepted for a training happening until 30 August 2012 you can apply for reimbursement of travel costs. Please send the application form at least three weeks prior the event. Please do read the TRIALOG travel reimbursement scheme. Send your application to f.elnagashi@trialog.or.at.

Find more information: http://www.redcross.at/preparetorespond

Should All Development NGOs be “Green” NGOs?

On 27 – 28 October 2011, the Baltic-Nordic NGO capacity building programme was launched in Vilnius. The programme entitled “Development Cooperation in the Nordic and the Baltic Countries: NGO-to-NGO Training and Networking”, supported by the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania and the Association of the Local Authorities in Lithuania, aims at strengthening Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian, Danish, Finnish and Swedish NGOs working in the field of development cooperation. The first training focusing of the relationship between development cooperation and sustainable development covered such important questions as
What’s the relationship between the development co-operation and sustainable development? How to make sustainable development an integral part of the development co-operation strategy? What is the role of the NGOs in this? Shouldn’t all development NGOs be “green” NGOs? Climate change prevention, mitigation and environmental awareness – is it an integral part of the development co-operation policies? If not, how to make that happen? Project/campaign/tools ideas – how to integrate the outcomes of the discussion above into our daily work? Exchange of practices and tools.

The second training focusing on environmental awareness in development cooperation and fight against climate change is scheduled for January 2012. This is the first joint project by the Danish, Finnish, Swedish, Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian (both the National Platform and LITDEA) NDGO platforms, organised by the Eastern Europe Studies Centre (EESC) in Vilnius.

Materials & info about the event on http://www.eesc.lt/en/news/new?id=527 More information at ringaile.trakymaite@eesc.lt.

Information provided by Ringaile Trakymaite, EESC

DESS 2012 confirmed!

The Development Education Summer School DESS 2012 will take place in the Czech Republic and will be organised by the Czech NGOs platform FoRs - Czech Forum for Development Co-operation - DEEEP and CONCORD. The upcoming DESS 2012, 'CHANGE LAB – Engaging Local Society in Sustainable Development', will combine issues related to sustainable development, i.e. developing and sharing concrete tools and methods to engage various target groups in the field of sustainable development at the local level. Among the objectives of DESS 2012, there is an aim to clarify particular issues on sustainable development to be used in DE/AR in order to build locally engaged society – with Human Rights Based Approach and local governance as cross-cutting issues.

During that week, participants will be able to discuss how to adopt and develop existing approaches in DE/AR and to reflect critically new global and local challenges for sustainable development in synergy with other streams of non-formal education relevant to sustainable development, e.g. the Education for sustainable development, environmental education, human rights education etc. DESS 2012 will also stimulate networking, partnerships and the exchange of best practices between participants across regions and sectors. More information will soon be uploaded on DEEEP's site.

Information provided by Ana Biurrun, DEEEP

DEEEP intern position

DEEEP is recruiting for an internship position based in Brussels and offers a contract according to the Belgian law from February 2012 – 31st July 2012.

The intern will work 4 days per week, including holidays (to be agreed together with the DEEEP Co-ordinator according to the Belgian law).

The gross salary is 722 Euro per month according to the Belgian Convention d’immersion professionnelle contract.

The intern will play a key role in the organisation of the upcoming DESS 2012, which will take place in Czech Republic and will have the chance of attending this event.

Please, send your CV and motivation letter (in English) to vacancies@deeep.org by December 16th 2011 at the latest.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. You can find the full job description here (pdf).

IRIN: The Rise of the "New" Donors

IRINNEWS, humanitarian news and anaylsis, a service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, features an article series on the "new" donors, the so-called BRICSS - Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and South Korea - in the field of humanitarian assistance. Read more

Partnersearch: Local Authorities in DE Call

EuropeAid has published the NSA-LA call for proposals for local authorities, covering objective 1b (multi-country development projects) and 2 (development education and awareness raising in Europe). Deadine for concept notes is 1 February.
KADE, Kerry Action for Development Education, is looking for a project under this call with a second level schools focus in order for their LA schools network in Ireland to participate in. For more information follow the link.

Online Discussion on Development and Migration

KOPIN, Malta, would like to invite you to participate in an online discussion on the question "Do you think that the national and EU development policies put sufficient emphasis on the link between development and migration?" The idea of the forum is to exchange our views, knowledge and information on the topic. The gathered knowledge will also help our organisations to formulate policy recommendations to decision-makers in Malta and Europe. Your opinions count, and we will be glad to read from you! Please enter this link, register and contribute your opinion: http://forums.developmenteducation.org/discussion/10/eu-development-policies-development-migration-kopin-malta

Information provided by Dominik Kalweit, KOPIN

Silver Rose Awards - Call for Applications

SOLIDAR’s Silver Rose Awards were launched in 2000 to help raise the profile of individuals and organisations whose struggles contribute greatly to social justice and equality throughout the world. Winners are sometimes well-known; others are simply ordinary people leading extraordinary lives, reaching out to the most vulnerable groups in their societies, advocating their rights, campaigning for their needs, and providing essential services such as soup kitchens, housing, children’s holidays and literacy classes. As SOLIDAR’s member organisations work on numerous projects with local partners both in Europe and around the world, examples of worthy recipients are not difficult to identify.

The winners are always powerful advocates of change, united by their passion, commitment and vision for bringing about a fairer and more just society. Among the winners from previous years is Morgan Tsvangirai, President of the Zimbabwean Movement for Democratic Change and a key figure in the fight for human rights in Zimbabwe, the National League for Democracy of Burma which helped turn the spotlight on their struggle against Burma’s military junta and organisations providing social support such as Filo D’Argento (Italy) a helpline set up for the elderly, offering support, conversation, and acting as a watchdog against abuse.

The Awards are presented each year at a prestigious awards ceremony held at the European Parliament in Brussels. The next edition will be held in the Members Dining Room on 6 March 2012. The call for nominations are open until 23 November 2012.

Launch of 2011 Human Development Report and State of the Population

The 2011 Human Development Report argues that the urgent global challenges of sustainability and equity must be addressed together – and identifies policies on the national and global level that could spur mutually reinforcing progress towards these interlinked goals. Read more

This year's State of World Population report of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), People and Possibilities in a World of 7 Billion, looks at the the dynamics behind the numbers. It explains the trends that are defining our world of 7 billion and documents actions that people in vastly different countries and circumstances are taking in their own communities to make the most of their--and our--world. The report makes the case for sound planning and investing in people. Read more