Partnership Fair 2013

After the initial success of its predecessor events in 2006, 2010, and 2011, TRIALOG hosted its fourth Partnership Fair from 13th to 15th March at the Kardinal König Haus in Vienna. In all, the conference counted nearly 120 participants from 84 organisations working in the development cooperation sector (NGDOs), coming from both old and new member states of the European Union.
The Fair successfully created an arena for all of these NGDO representatives to learn, network, find partners, create joint projects and work on project proposals that are to be submitted to the European Commission in the course of the coming call on Development Education.

One of the highlights and also a novelty at the Partnership Fair was the Introductory Session by UK consultant Greta Jensen, “How to write a successful project proposal” before the actual event: This meeting provided participants with useful tips and advice when it comes to the tricky task of developing project proposals and the logical framework. After this energetic start it was eventually time for the official opening session, starring Christine Bedoya, Director of TRIALOG, Erwin Eder, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Markus Pirchner, Head of Sector DevCO D2, European Commission, and Helmuth Hartmeyer, Director Funding Civil Society, ADA.

Another highlight was, without doubt, the “Market Place”, where participants were given the opportunity to display information material of their organisations and to network intensively. The room was buzzing with highly motivated NGDO representatives trying to meet as many colleagues from all over Europe as possible and maybe already create potential partnerships.

This effort was continued during the following two days, when participants were thematically divided into so-called “Working Groups” and then spent the rest of the Fair trying to connect, find common goals in Development Education, formulate envisaged joint project proposals and, finally, sign a Pre-Partnership Agreement. In the end, not less than 15 ideas found their way into such agreements, all of them reflecting the vast diversity of development education themes discussed at the Partnership Fair. “Society in movement: rising awareness and activation for an integrated approach to water, climate change and environmental migration”, “EU Coalition for Change - An advocacy and campaign on PCD and Beyond 2015 Framework”, or “Mobilising pan-European support for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Development” may serve as good examples to demonstrate the wide range of variety of the Pre-Partnership Agreements.

Throughout the whole three days of the Partnership Fair, the spirit of collegiality and cooperation was predominant among the participants. What now remains to be seen is whether this spirit will further prevail and enable further elaboration of joint project and - in the end - successful EC acceptance of the project proposals. TRIALOG, of course, will be there, providing support to the partners in order to achieve this goal - and is looking forward to future Partnership Fairs to come!

Find the report, presentations, video statements of participants and the evaluation on our website.

In the pictures above: participants in planary, during the Market Place and during Working Groups

Information provided by Katharina Schreiber, TRIALOG

TRIALOG Policy Digest: Post-2015 Development Framework

As the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) approach their 2015 deadline, the international community is working hard to accelerate the achievements of the MDGs in the short time left. It is also focusing on the establishment of a new global framework for development after 2015.

TRIALOG published the Policy Digest Post-2015 Development Framework, which explains the process of post-MDGs and its next steps, it also includes practical suggestions how to get engaged in the topic. The digest was written by Ana Kalin of the Slovenian development CSO platform SLOGA as lead author and Sophia Arnaouti of the Cyprus Islandwide NGO Development Platform CYINDEP, as well as Mirjam Sutrop, TRIALOG Liaison Officer.

The TRIALOG Policy Digests provide insight to currently discussed development policy topics. They provide information about recent policy processes and suggestions how to get engaged in the discussions and actions around the topics. The Policy Digests are written by drafting teams made up of TRIALOG partners and are published on a regular basis every other month.





Information provided by Elisa Romero, TRIALOG

Capturing the History of TRIALOG

Within TRIALOG, a body of valuable experience has been established since the start of the first project phase in 2000, in terms of development CSO platform building, European integration and capacity building. TRIALOG now wants to capture this knowledge and make it available for others, especially those going through similar processes in the future. In order to grasp the vast experience TRIALOG chose a participative method which has already been successfully implemented by the Austrian lead agency HORIZONT3000 and its member organisations in the Global South: Systematisation.

The process of systematisation involves people who participated in the project over the years. In a first step, a framework which defines the main subjects for the TRIALOG systematisation was elaborated with various stakeholders. Now the process is at the stage of retrieving the history and the context of the project throughout the 12 years. Therefore TRIALOG invited key people from platforms in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, as well as stakeholders from Austria and Germany, to the workshop “Telling the History of TRIALOG” from 4-5 of April 2013 in Vienna. Systematisation lives from the memories and a critical review of people who were involved in a project. The meeting provided a space to reflect about the history of national NGDO platforms in the enlarged EU, how they developed, how they joined European processes and on the support of TRIALOG. In a next step, the TRIALOG team will write down the history of the project. Later this year key elements will be analysed in a separate workshop. In the end of the process the results will be shared in a publication.


For more information on the systematisation method, please contact Information Officer Elisa Romero at information@trialog.or.at

In the picture left: Mara Simane, Linda Jakobsone (LAPAS, Latvia) and Ulrike Bey (TRIALOG)
In the picture right: Adela Rusu (FOND, Romania)

Information provided by Elisa Romero, TRIALOG

FOND signed Collaboration Protocol with the MFA

This long awaited moment happened during the FOND General Assembly (GA) which took place between 28th-29th of March, 2013. The Collaboration Protocol represents a major step in the cooperation between the Romanian NGDO platform FOND and the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in terms of development cooperation and reflects the efforts and progress made during the last years. The objective of this Protocol is “to enhance dialogue, collaboration and mutual support between the two parties in the implementation of the Romanian international development cooperation policy, to increase cohesion, coordination, transparency, complementarity, effectiveness and the impact of Romania’s official development assistance”.The Protocol reiterates the important role of FOND in building the national community acting in development cooperation and emphasizes the fundamental role of dialogue, cooperation and partnership between the MFA and FOND. The first draft of the Protocol used as an example the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Slovak NGDO Platform - MVRO and the Slovak MFA.

The priorities of the MFA for 2013 (which will involve FOND as main partner) will include: achieving a new national strategy on development cooperation, achievement and implementation of the strategy on communication, education and public awareness in the field of development and implementation of the Annual Action Plan on granting development assistance from the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the General Assembly, FOND members reflected on the progress made during the last year and identified the priorities for the next period: strengthening FOND members’ capacity to implement projects on development cooperation/development education, developing the policy and advocacy capacity (national and European level). The platform members were engaged in several thematic discussions – policy & advocacy, development education, humanitarian aid, opportunities provided through the TRIALOG project.
The Board of Directors changed its component: Olivia Baciu (President), Doina Crangasu (Vice president), Stefania Mircea, Borbala Koo, Ioana Manaila, Daniela Buzducea, Natalia Budescu. FOND also welcomed 4 new members (Habitat for Humanity, Romanian Center for European Policies, Ecopolis Association and Mai Bine Association) working in policy issues, environment, humanitarian aid, adding up to a total of 35 members.

Additional information is available on the websites: www.fondromania.org and www.aod.ro.

In the picture: MFA representative and FOND President Olivia Baciu signing the Collaboration Protocol.

Information provided by Adriana Zaharia, FOND

The Mobility Fund for Experts: Romania and Republic of Moldova

The Romanian NGDO Platform – FOND, in partnership with the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs - MFA, launched the first Mobility Fund for Experts from Romania and Republic of Moldova. This pilot round is financially supported by the Romanian MFA from the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget and will be implemented during the period 15th March - 15th June 2013. The Fund aims to facilitate the mobility of CSO experts from Romania and the Republic of Moldova.

This initiative is a follow-up to the Civil Society Forum Romania – Republic of Moldova (May, 2011) and it was one of the recommendations from the participants, emphasizing the need of a mobility fund to support the expertise and knowledge sharing between the representatives of civil society from both countries. The eligible initiatives consist in supporting activities in line with the Romanian ODA priorities: transition to democracy, civil society, peace building, good governance, education, health, environment and covers travel and accommodation costs. TRIALOG was one of the examples analysed during the process of elaborating the methodology for the Mobility Fund.

In the picture: panel during the launch of the Mobility Fund.



Information provided by Adriana Zaharia, FOND

Estonian and Finnish Civil Society Cooperation strengthened

In the framework of TRIALOG’s Capacity Building, Evelin Andrespok - Policy Officer of the Estonian NGDO platform AKÜ, spent three weeks at the Kehys office for an apprenticeship. Her aim was to learn how the Finnish development NGOs work, what lessons Estonia could take from it, and to build links with new organisations.

The apprenticeship focused on Policy Coherence for Development (PCD) and how to achieve coherence in practice. While AKÜ already has experiences with addressing these fundamental issues on a practical level, the platform is now looking into how the Estonian and European policies could also take these into account. The visit was an excellent opportunity to learn from the experiences of Kehys, who can be considered to be pioneers of PCD in many ways.

As a result of the apprenticeship, the cooperation between AKÜ and Kehys was strengthened, concrete action plans for working on PCD issues like food security were shared, the current trends in each country discussed and concrete plans for joint actions were made.

Read the full report by Evelin Andrespok at the Kehys website: http://www.kehys.fi/ajankohtaista/blogi/otsikko  

Source: Evelin Andrespok, AKÜ / Kehys

Awareness Raising Campaign by CYINDEP

CYINDEP (Cyprus Island-Wide NGO Development Platform) has started an awareness raising campaign under the concept of “Envisioning a Just and Sustainable World”. The campaign aims at informing the general public on various issues of international development, by adopting one theme per month.

CYINDEP’s awareness campaign calendar includes the following issues:
• January – Active Citizenship month (2013 being the European Year of Active Citizenship)
• February – Social Justice month, (February 20th, International Day of Social Justice)
• March – Gender and Development month (March 8th, International Women’s Day)
• April – Mother Earth month, (April 22nd, Earth Day).

Awareness is raised by the creation of an animated video on the issue and electronic posters, but the campaign is also supported by training sessions as well as information uploaded on the CYINDEP’s website.

The campaign is part of the project “Solidarity in Change – Development in a Time of Transition” which receives funding from the European Union and ends in April. The animated videos have been uploaded to CYINDEP’s YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/CYINDEP. Feel free to watch them and share them on your social media pages.

For more information on the campaign, contact Natasha Apostolidou Efthymiou on natasha.apostolidou@cyindep.eu



Information provided by Natasha Apostolidou Efthymiou, CYINDEP

News from the Slovak NGDO Platform

On 4th April 2013 the General Assembly of the Slovak NGDO Platform MVRO took place. GLEN Slovakia became a new member (status of observer) of the Platform. Currently, the Platform has 33 members. At the General Assembly new working groups were presented: Common Fundraising, Policy Coherence for Development, AidWatch/MFF, Development Day, and Ethics and Development. Many of the working groups´ activities will be connected to the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Platform and the ODA progamme SlovakAid.

In the next months, the Platform will work on the code of conduct on ethics and effectiveness. The need for establishing such a code was a result of a survey conducted among member organizations at the end of 2012. Reports of a survey on ethics and effectiveness conducted in 2012 and a survey on Istanbul principles conducted in 2011 can be found at the website of V4aid.  

As part of the awareness raising activities and promotion of the Friends of the NGDO Platform Club, on 7th April a team of the Slovak NGDO Platform joined the National Run Devin-Bratislava. 10 people representing the Platform, its members and friends of the Platform ran to support the idea of sustainable development in less developed countries.

Information provided by Andrea Girmanova, MVRO

OECD DAC Experts visiting Slovakia

On 25th and 26th March 2013 the OECD DAC mission visited Bratislava. The delegation was led by Karen Jorgensen, Head of the Review, Evaluation and Engagement Division of the OECD DAC. The mission met representatives of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation, Ministry of Interior as well as the Slovak NGDO Platform. The main topic of the meetings was the progress of the Slovak Republic in fulfilling the criteria and conditions of becoming a member of DAC.

State Secretary of the Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Ministry Peter Burian confirmed the interest of the Slovak Republic in becoming a full OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) member. The meeting of the OECD experts and Slovak NGDO Platform representatives on 26th March provided space to exchange the views on the progress done after publishing the Special Review of the Slovak Republic´s Development Cooperation in 2011 which was conducted by the OECD DAC. Slovak NGDO Platform representatives appreciated the willingness of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in order to increase the aid effectiveness and transparency. In this regard, they also stressed the importance to continue with capacity-building and increasing the effectiveness of the Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation. On the other hand, the Platform underlined gaps and the importance of increasing the bilateral ODA and fulfilling the international commitments of the Slovak Republic.

Results of the mission will be published in the coming months and will serve for evaluation of the readiness of the Slovak Republic to enter the Committee in line with the criteria currently in force.

Information provided by Andrea Girmanova, Slovak NGDO Platform MVRO

News from the Czech NGDO Platform FoRS

In March and April, two major events were organized by and for members of FoRS-Czech Forum for Development Cooperation. On March 7, 2013 the working group of FoRS “Global Development Education” (GDE) met in order to share experience from evaluations of projects in the field of GDE. Moreover, the participants learned about planned activities and ongoing processes within the platform and possibilities to get involved. They also shared news in the field of Czech Official Development Cooperation and GDE at the Czech and European level. A workshop on the quality in the field of GDE was proposed for May 13 (details explained below) as part of the next meeting of this working group.

On April 2, 2013 FoRS hosted a regular monthly event called Development Coffee that provides some space for discussion on a specific topic related to development cooperation, previously chosen by the participants. This time it was networking. After introductory views provided by the director of FoRS and representatives from Amnesty International and the Czech Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and FoRS member SADBA, the participants discussed both the benefits of networks for their members and the weaknesses, as well as the future of Czech development cooperation and the role of Czech NGOs. Further information about the session is available on the website of Development Coffee http://developmentcoffee.org

In the picture: Participants of the Development Coffee

FoRS is also planning the following events:


o Seminar “How can economic growth work for development of developing countries” (April 17, 2013)
The seminar, organized by FoRS in cooperation with Platform of Business in International Development Cooperation, is addressed to representatives of NGOs, academia and the private sector working in the field of international development cooperation and global development education. The aim of this event is to show the actual ways of financing of sustainable economic development activities in developing countries and to discuss the possibilities for cooperation between Czech NGOs and companies in projects leading to sustainable development.
Contact person: Adéla Stiborová (adela.stiborova@fors.cz)

o Workshop on the quality in the field of global development education (May 13, 2013)
The workshop is organized by the working group of FoRS “Global Development Education” aiming to discuss, with the support of an international expert, the quality in the field of GDE in the Czech Republic. The outcome of the discussions will serve as basis of a toolkit for NGOs that plan to prepare materials in the field of GDE. This discussion will continue in an international meeting in Austria in September 2013.

o Conference “Czech Development Cooperation at the Crossroads: What is the contribution of Development Cooperation for the Czech Republic in the global context?” (May 14, 2013)
The main aim of the conference, organized by FoRS, is to share views among different actors on the role of the Czech development cooperation, global development education and public awareness raising in the global context. It will also show a complex view on various challenges on the global level which influence the Czech Republic and Czech actors involved in international development. The conference is addressed to representatives of NGOs, ministries, Czech Development Agency, academia, private sector and for everyone interested in the topic.
Contact person: Adéla Stiborová (adela.stiborova@fors.cz)

o Workshop “Development Day of FoRS” (May 15, 2013)
The workshop is designed primarily for members of FoRS in order to provide them with space where they can discuss topics such as cooperation with the private sector, governmental financial support vs. independence of NGOs, responsibility for impacts of own activities and their sustainability, and effective communication and public relations strategies.
Contact person: Adéla Stiborová (adela.stiborova@fors.cz)

Information provided by Marie Zázvorková, FoRS

Peer Review in FoRS: Experience from the Czech NGDO Platform

The Czech NGDO platform –Czech Forum for Development Co-operation (FoRS)- was set up, among others, to support its members in enhancing quality and effectiveness of their work in the area of development cooperation, global education and humanitarian aid.

This support has various forms. The peer review, understood as an opening to external views and opinions that could help enrich and improve the organizations´ practice, started to be used as a new tool within FoRS last year when SIRIRI, a member organization, decided to undergo a strategic peer review within its capacity building project. This pilot process led to some constructive outcomes, including creation of a toolkit for FoRS members on how to proceed with a peer review, though certain internal processes (change at the director´s position) hampered its smooth closing when the results could not be properly shared among the NGO´s staff and experts.

Apart from the strategic peer review, the toolkit also explains the steps and specificities of the basic, narrower type of peer review and its potential to become a regular part of cooperation among FoRS members in the process of their development. It could also help them to fulfil their commitment –to carry out an annual self-assessment of their performance in relation to the Code of Effectiveness of FoRS, which also serves as a checklist. The last year, this kind of peer review was carried out between a member and an observer of FoRS. In addition, the basic peer review could serve for mutual provision of feedback related to any other important aspect for an organization, such as for example its added value in global education or strengths and weaknesses in its work with volunteers.

Following relatively high interest of FoRS members in peer reviews in the ongoing annual action plan, FoRS has recently started with identification of adequate partnerships. When defined, the partners will carry out a self-assessment related to the Code of Effectiveness, consequently identify an area where they would welcome some feedback, confront their views with the partner´s ones, adequately adapt the self-assessment and finally establish an action plan to foster their own effectiveness.

The role of FoRS consists in supporting interested members throughout the whole process so that this new tool really contributes to an increased positive impact of their development work. In line with these efforts, a peer review is also foreseen for the platform this year.

Information provided by Marie Zazvorkova, FoRS

Humanitarian Congress in Vienna: Gender matters

On the 8th March 2013, International Women's day, second humanitarian congress in Vienna was organized by Global Responsibility – Austrian Platform for Development and Humanitarian Aid. Title of the congress was Humanitarian aid and gender matters.

Opening speech why gender matters in humanitarian response was given by Kristalina Georgieva, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian aid and Crisis Response. She presented her personal experiences from field visits in DR Congo and some other locations where she observed projects fighting against gender violence and women equality. In her point of view gender equality is a key to fight against hunger and poverty in the future. Later on different panels related to gender matters and humanitarian aid took place. Big debate was on the panel Humanitarian aid and media where representatives of different media and organizations presented their positions.

Special attention was devoted to role of social media (Facebook, Twitter) since they change communication in a personal way and they humanize organization. Congress was a nice opportunity for organizations to meet, discuss and exchange their working experiences. Beside panels small fair was organized where Austrian organizations took part.

More information about the congress is available at http://www.humanitaerer-kongress.at/


Information provided by Darja Rogelj, IRD Slovenia www.ird.si

A.R.T. Fusion Association - The Future We Want

The Future We Want it is not only a wish, it is also a training course organized by A.R.T. Fusion Association between 19th and 28th of April 2013 in Gura Diham, near Busteni, Romania.

Why? Because one of the aims is to increase the level of active involvement in global issues among young Europeans. 24 young Europeans from Italy, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia and Romania involved in different NGOs in their local communities will gather and will aproach different issues related to global education.
Some of the topics that will be tackled are: global interdependencies (from cultural, economical and political approach), MDG-s, post 2015 framework, sustainable development, social and global justice, environmental problems, consumerism and sustainable lifestyle, cultural relativism.

The project is implemented by A.R.T. Fusion Association with financial support from the European Commision through Youth in Action Programme.

Contact person: Roxana Turcu, project coordinator, art_fusion_romania@yahoo.com 
Website: http://www.artfusion.ro/?l=en

Information provided by Roxana Turcu, A.R.T. Fusion

Involving Students and Teachers in Development Education in Romania

The project Realization of the Millennium Development Goals: Involving students and teachers in development education programs and projects started in December 2010 and it aims at involving students and educators from 4 EU countries and from the Republic of South Africa in the process of elaborating and promoting development education programs. The project is implemented in partnership of Open Education Centre – Bulgaria, Assistance and Programs for Sustainable Development – Agenda 21 – Romania, Carrefoure Europeo Emilia – Italy, HIVsports – UK and it is co-financed by the European Commission through the program Non State Actors and Local Authorities in Development. Public Awareness and education for development in Europe.

In 2012, the main results registered in Romania were: elaboration of the curriculum on Development Education, an education package on The role of development education in realizing the Millennium Development Goals, sessions on good practices regarding the project theme, one international event Understanding and resolving the global problems through an international partnership (during this event, students elaborated bilateral projects on issues related to development education focused on the problems of Sub-Saharan Africa to be implemented in cooperation with pupils from Romania, Bulgaria, Italy and Africa).

A movie documentary FACT or FICTION, focused on how sports can help raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, was launched in London by the partner from UK, HIVsports, in the House of Lords. The documentary is made up by 5 short movies created by young people from UK, Romania, Italy and Africa that are involved in the project. The documentary can be viewed on http://www.hivsport.org/news-2.php and www.agenda21.org.ro, the educational package associated with the documentary can be downloaded at http://www.agenda21.org.ro/en/news.html.

Photography by Effren Sergio Hernandez, Launch of the movie documentary FACT or FICTION in the House of Lords.

Information provided by Nina Cugler, Agenda 21

Biofuels in Tanzania: Fuelling Poverty or Progress?

The Evert Vermeer Foundation (EVF) launched its report ‘Fuelling Poverty or Progress? The EU and Biofuels in Tanzania’ on March 19th in Brussels. The Foundation’s advocacy programme Fair Politics campaigns for Policy Coherence for Development: putting an end to EU policies which undermine poverty eradication in developing countries. One example of that is the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive, which calls for a 10% target for renewable energy in transport fuel, to be met almost entirely by first-generation biofuels. These biofuels are a key factor in driving food prices and the global land rush.

The EVF researched the impact of this policy in Tanzania, and found that it was one of several key drivers for European companies to set up large-scale plantations of energy crops in the country. These projects led to many land grabbing issues: rural communities losing access to their land without adequate compensation.

During our launch the EVF presented their recommendations: to phase out support to food-based biofuels and to introduce social sustainability criteria on biofuels contributing to renewable energy targets. The European Commission responded critically, denying a link between impacts in Tanzania and EU policy, blaming it mainly on governance issues on the part of Tanzania. Special guest, Dar es Salaam-based Yefred Myenzi of HakiArdhi-Lands Rights Research Resources Institute presented his experiences with the impacts of investment in land in Tanzania on rural communities, calling for better governance and a strong role for civil society.

Read the full report of the launch on our website and check out the study here.
You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on the Fair Politics programme! www.fairpolitics.eu
www.facebook.com/fairpolitics
www.twitter.com/fair_pol

For more information contact Jasper van Teeffelen: jvteeffelen@evertvermeer.nl



Information provided by Jasper van Teeffelen, EVF  

European Endowment for Democracy – How will it work?

The first call for proposal of the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) will be launched in June 2013, announced Jerzy Pomianowski, Executive Director of EED during a meeting with Polish NGOs. The EED will support political activists and democratization movements, including non-registered groups (so far European programs not allowed this kind of group to apply for the grants).

The EED will be financed from two sources: an institutional grant from the European Commission (used only for administration costs) and voluntary remittances from member states (used for grants and beneficiaries). At this moment, in the second pool 14-15 million EUR are declared for 2-3 years (3-4 million EUR per year). The donors are: Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland and Holland. So far there is no declaration from the biggest countries like Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain.

The EED’s main purpose is direct grant-making to pro-democracy activist and/or organizations struggling for democratic transition in the European Neighbourhood and beyond, through specific flexible procedures (mainly continual). The EED can also work through European CSOs (such as Political Foundations). Apart from grants, the EED will support organizations in writing proposals to other funds and donors, searching for new source of financing, as well as networking with institution on the European level. The EED can also give short-term institutional grants for small organizations and groups.

The EED was established in October 2012 as a private law foundation under Belgian law. The secretariat will be placed in Brussels (in the building of the old Polish embassy). The Executive Committee will supervise the work of the secretariat and consist of an executive director, 3 representatives of NGOs, 2 representatives of the Member States (Spain and Romania) and 1 representative of the European Parliament (Chairman of the Executive Committee). The highest body is the Board of Governors (representatives of the Member States and Switzerland + 9 MEPs + 3 representatives of NGOs, chosen by the Board), which will meet twice a year.

The meeting with Jerzy Pomianowski was organized by Solidarity Fund Poland - democracy support and development cooperation agency.

Contact person: Magdalena Trojanek of the Polish NGDO Platform Zagranica Group, Magdalena.trojanek@zagranica.org.pl
 

For more information on the EED, please see: http://democracyendowment.eu/ or http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-17_en.htm
Aditionally you can read an article on the Deutsche Welle.


Information provided by Magdalena Trojanek, Zagranica Group

European Program for Development Evaluation Training

Development Worldwide (DWW) and the Slovak Evaluation Society have the pleasure to invite you to the European Program for Development Evaluation Training - EPDET 2013 in Prague (15th - 21st September 2013). The core curriculum of the training follows a successful scheme of the summer school IPDET (www.ipdet.org), organised annually by Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada.

EPDET 2013 will be provided in English again by top lecturers, the training is recommended for evaluators and managers of development projects and programs. The training graduates will obtain a Certificate of the IDEAS-International Development Evaluation Association (www.ideas-int.org).

The participant fee is 1100 EUR and includes tuition, accommodation and full board. Participants will receive both printed and electronic versions of the training manual and other training materials. Capacity of the training is limited, therefore we ask all applicants to confirm their interest until 30 April 2013 by email to EPDET program manager: Mr. Daniel Svoboda (svoboda@dww.cz) and/or fill in the online application.

Information provided by Daniel Svoboda, Development Worldwide

Central and Eastern Europe CSR Summit 2013

The biggest event on CSR in the CEE region will take place on May 30, 2013 in Bratislava, Slovakia. Pontis Foundation and Business Leaders Forum Slovakia in cooperation with KÖVET, RespACT, BLF Czech Republic and Centre for CSR invite you to the Central and Eastern Europe CSR Summit, which will offer global perspective on sustainability, tips for improving communication on CSR, review of inspirational sustainability reports from the CEE region, and much more.

Listen and interact with more than 20 speakers from 8 countries.
Network with CSR professionals
Share experience with 170 CEOs, CSR professionals, HR, communication and environmental managers.
Learn more about sustainability in 21st century, responsible brands and GRI G4 Reporting Guidelines.

Participation fee includes conference materials with presentations, 2 x fair trade coffee breaks, healthy local buffet lunch. Registration ends on May 27, 2013.

The number of places is limited and we encourage you to register soon and make use of the Early Bird discount. Registration rates – Early Bird Discount (valid until April 30, 2013) for NGO/non-profit: 125.00 € excluding VAT.

Find out more on the official website: http://www.cee-csr-summit.eu/home/

Source: http://www.cee-csr-summit.eu/home/

Programme on Systemic Peacebuilding

The International Peace and Development Training Centre (IPDTC) of PATRIR is announcing it's June 5-day Advanced Certificate Programme on Systemic Peacebuilding, Conflict Transformation and Post-War Recovery and Reconciliation(PCTR).

When: 10th-14th of June, 2013
Where: Cluj Napoca, Romania

The PCTR is a five-day intensive programme which provides experts, practitioners and policy makers with a forum for reflection and targeted, relevant professional development in a dynamic and stimulating environment. Given the issues it addresses, it is also relevant for those working in political, gender, security, human rights, development, and humanitarian fields, donors, and diplomats, working in areas affected or threatened by war and armed conflict or in post-war situations.

Positions are limited and those interested are encouraged to apply early. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact iPDTC at training@patrir.ro or www.patrir.ro/training

Information provided by Kai Brand-Jacobsen

Monitoring for Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development

BCSDN (Balkan Civil Society Development Network) members and partners have in 2012 embarked on a process of creating the 1st Monitoring Matrix for Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development, which presents a sustainable monitoring tool developed by local CSO from 10 Western Balkans countries and New EU Member States. The aim was to develop our own tool to monitor and fuel advocacy of civil society in creating an enabling environment in which CSOs work and operate on daily basis. In its development, the tool has been recognized by Governments offices for cooperation with civil society as a possible basis for development of their own self-assessment/monitoring tools to measure sustainability and progress of openness, supportiveness, accountability and transparency of its support to CSOs.

It is on this basis that the monitoring is being launched for the 1st test year in all Western Balkan countries and Turkey. A Tool-kit to help explain the Matrix as well as enable smooth monitoring on the part of CSOs has been also prepared. Presentation of the Monitoring Matrix is taking place in all IPA countries since end of February.

For further presentations consult BCSDN website or contact our in-country members. The presentations and the test monitoring will take place in the framework of the EU-funded “Balkan Civil Society Acquis” project.


Source: Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN)

(M)Bake the World a better Place: New Database with "Recipes" of Development Education for a new Target Group

At www.bakeabetterplace.org you find a new database, with which knowledge is swapped from 25 actions over a period of two years in which the project used techniques of the advertising and marketing industry, mixed them with topics of development education, and got appealing actions out of it that addressed people who were closed to our messages before.

The project especially reached out to a new emerging group in society, which development education barely got through to before. It is the young trend elite, also called “Modern Performers”. The database is based on the experiences of 5 NGOs from Czech Republic, Germany, Poland and Portugal in a European founded project. It provides “recipes” of unconventional development actions as well as information on new methods to reach target groups, usually not targeted by development education.

Information provided by Verena Günther, finep - forum for international development + planning

New Master Programme in International Development Studies

The Palacký University in Olomouc/Czech Republic, is opening a new International Development Studies master’s programme fully taught in English. The aim of programme is to prepare professionals for careers in development policy and practice.

Students will acquire profound knowledge in development related issues as well as research methodology. They can also choose from a variety of specialization courses to best suit their needs and interests, for example on project cycle management, global environmental issues or community development. Additionally there is an offer of regional courses on Latin America, Africa, Southeast Asia and Central Asia.

The programme is starting in September 2013, applications are due on July 15th 2013.

For more information please visit www.development.upol.cz/ids  or send an email to ids-olomouc@upol.cz  

Information provided by Petra Krylová, Palacky University