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
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