On 3rd October 2012, the European Commission and European External Action Service published their joint communication on supporting sustainable change in transition societies. The communication aimed to provide an overview of European measures that currently provide support and put forward suggestions of how these could be improved.
The European Union has a large variety of tools available to support change in countries outside its borders. The policies covered include Development Cooperation, the European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement policy and the communication makes consistent reference to the importance of the experience of countries that went through transition processes in the recent past to become members of the EU.
Of the improvements that are suggested to this approach in the future, the main points are for the EU to mobilise all the instruments it has at its disposal in a comprehensive, targeted and long-term response, respecting partner countries’ needs and root causes for a desire for societal change; for the EU to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law in a way that contributes to sustainable reform and regional integration; and for the EU to act in a way that enhances partner countries’ ownership of the reform process and does not impose specific models of experience exchange.
CONCORD’s working group on Enlargement, Pre-Accession and Neighbourhood (EPAN) has done a significant amount of work on issues surrounding transition, most recently related to the European Transition Compendium (see www.eutransition.eu). Although TRIALOG stopped convening this working group in September, we look forward to seeing the group’s work on this important issue continue.
Download the EC/EEAS communication here (pdf).
Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG
Friday, 19 October 2012
European Commission Communication on “The roots of democracy and sustainable development: Europe's engagement with Civil Society in external relations” and the subsequent CONCORD reaction
On 12th September, the European Commission published the long-awaited communication on the EU’s work with civil society. This is one element of the follow-up to the 2010-2011 Commission-led Structured Dialogue on the involvement of CSOs and Local Authorities in EU development cooperation, in which a range of development actors came together to assess their contributions to development and make improvements for future collaboration.
The communication puts forward three priorities for EU support regarding CSO work:
1. Promoting a conducive environment for CSOs in partner countries;
2. Promoting meaningful and structured CSO participation in partner countries’ domestic processes, the EU programming cycle and international processes;
3. Increasing local CSOs’ capacity to perform their roles as independent development actors.
CONCORD’s reaction to the communication is generally positive, with a strong acknowledgement of its constructive nature, recognising the central role of civil society in democratic governance and in building just, equitable and inclusive societies. The aspects that the CONCORD paper point to as needing further attention include recognition of the multi-stakeholder approach; a stronger role for policy coherence for development and the distinctive role European CSOs play in fragile situations. There are also concrete recommendations for the institutions, which include defining what differentiates the EU from other donors in their engagement with civil society, the need to explore new modalities for dialogue and financing and to take the spirit of the communication forward into the discussions surrounding the multiannual financial framework (MFF).
Check the details of the CONCORD reaction on the new CONCORD website.
Download the EC Communication here (pdf).
Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG
The communication puts forward three priorities for EU support regarding CSO work:
1. Promoting a conducive environment for CSOs in partner countries;
2. Promoting meaningful and structured CSO participation in partner countries’ domestic processes, the EU programming cycle and international processes;
3. Increasing local CSOs’ capacity to perform their roles as independent development actors.
CONCORD’s reaction to the communication is generally positive, with a strong acknowledgement of its constructive nature, recognising the central role of civil society in democratic governance and in building just, equitable and inclusive societies. The aspects that the CONCORD paper point to as needing further attention include recognition of the multi-stakeholder approach; a stronger role for policy coherence for development and the distinctive role European CSOs play in fragile situations. There are also concrete recommendations for the institutions, which include defining what differentiates the EU from other donors in their engagement with civil society, the need to explore new modalities for dialogue and financing and to take the spirit of the communication forward into the discussions surrounding the multiannual financial framework (MFF).
Check the details of the CONCORD reaction on the new CONCORD website.
Download the EC Communication here (pdf).
Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG
The European Commission’s Annual Enlargement Package
On 10 October 2012, the EC adopted its annual enlargement package – a collection of documents that provide updates on the progress made in countries covered by enlargement policy.
The main components are an overall strategy paper, and individual progress reports for each country. The strategy paper covers a bit of context and then goes on to the key challenges and how the EC intends to deal with them. It then summarises the progress that has been made, according to country and gives information about the financial assistance offered through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). The strategy paper ends with conclusions and recommendations; some general, and some country-specific. The country reports cover the progress made on all aspects of the acquis communautaire, so they do not go into great detail but highlight areas that still need work and others where sufficient progress has been made – they do not mention development cooperation specifically; but external relations are included.
The entire enlargement package can be found on the European Commission website.
Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG
The main components are an overall strategy paper, and individual progress reports for each country. The strategy paper covers a bit of context and then goes on to the key challenges and how the EC intends to deal with them. It then summarises the progress that has been made, according to country and gives information about the financial assistance offered through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). The strategy paper ends with conclusions and recommendations; some general, and some country-specific. The country reports cover the progress made on all aspects of the acquis communautaire, so they do not go into great detail but highlight areas that still need work and others where sufficient progress has been made – they do not mention development cooperation specifically; but external relations are included.
The entire enlargement package can be found on the European Commission website.
Information provided by Rebecca Steel-Jasińska, TRIALOG
Conference on Climate Change in Slovakia
The international scientific conference „Climate Change – Possible impact (not only) on people and development projectsis“, organised by Caritas Slovakia in collaboration with Comenius University (Faculty of Education and Faculty of Science) will take place on the 8th of November 2012 in Bratislava, Slovakia.
It focuses on the importance of climate change in the development assistance and other processes which are in close monitoring of the professional and general public, as well as the media. The purpose is to gather and share experience on various topics in the field of development cooperation, development education, international relations and development policy of Slovak Republic and the EU. Several deputies of the academic and scientific community, government authorities (responsible for development assistance), as well as non-governmental development organizations (providing humanitarian and development assistance, respectively cooperation) will be invited to participate in this conference.
Climate change resonates every day in media; it is a sectional and cross-cutting priority in Slovak and EU policies and development assistance. The main theme of the conference is therefore climate change and its impact on the development of society and the development processes (not only in sub-Saharan Africa). It is therefore the effort of Caritas Slovakia, together with the participating members of society, joining the panel discussions to raise awareness about the climate change issue and to provide the visibility of activities and efforts of Caritas Slovakia, academia and other institutions to ensure that global development education would be initially included in the curricula of all types of education in Slovakia.
Furthermore, the conference also highlights the importance of support and cooperation of Slovak Republic and other EU countries towards developing countries.
Read the Call for Papers (pdf).
Deadline for submission of papers is the 26th of October 2012.
Information provided by Mariana Ištoňová; Caritas Slovakia
It focuses on the importance of climate change in the development assistance and other processes which are in close monitoring of the professional and general public, as well as the media. The purpose is to gather and share experience on various topics in the field of development cooperation, development education, international relations and development policy of Slovak Republic and the EU. Several deputies of the academic and scientific community, government authorities (responsible for development assistance), as well as non-governmental development organizations (providing humanitarian and development assistance, respectively cooperation) will be invited to participate in this conference.
Climate change resonates every day in media; it is a sectional and cross-cutting priority in Slovak and EU policies and development assistance. The main theme of the conference is therefore climate change and its impact on the development of society and the development processes (not only in sub-Saharan Africa). It is therefore the effort of Caritas Slovakia, together with the participating members of society, joining the panel discussions to raise awareness about the climate change issue and to provide the visibility of activities and efforts of Caritas Slovakia, academia and other institutions to ensure that global development education would be initially included in the curricula of all types of education in Slovakia.
Furthermore, the conference also highlights the importance of support and cooperation of Slovak Republic and other EU countries towards developing countries.
Read the Call for Papers (pdf).
Deadline for submission of papers is the 26th of October 2012.
Information provided by Mariana Ištoňová; Caritas Slovakia
Key Challenges of Humanitarian Aid and Development Cooperation in the XXI Century
Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) was established 20 years ago as an answer to humanitarian crisis in Yugoslavia. Since then it has delivered aid to thousands of victims of catastrophes and conflicts around the world. It has grown together with Polish 3rd sector, learning about the values and norms of humanitarian aid and development cooperation from the best and biggest organizations.
Today PAH participates in discussion about key challenges that the humanitarian and developing sector will face in nearest future. Quickly changing global situation demands constant readiness and quick, effective reactions for humanitarian crisis. Humanitarian aid is needed not only during natural disasters but more often during prolonged conflicts and human-caused disasters. Economic crisis puts at risk global system of solidarity and questions implementation of development programs. Due to donor-fatigue the engagement of the public for issues related to global solidarity and social justice is getting harder. Those are some of many challenges of humanitarianism in 21st century.
The conference "Key challenges of Humanitarian Aid and Development cooperation in XXI century", will be a space for discussion about those and other issues from Debember 7-8, 2012 in Warsaw, Poland.
During the event diverse actors – NGOs, politics, academics and media, involved in global system of humanitarian aid and development cooperation – will meet and discuss crucial issues. The purpose of this meeting is to strengthen the cooperation between different actors towards common understanding of humanitarian and development issues and build global movement towards decision-makers.
Polish Humanitarian Action invites the representatives of NGOs, state and non-state institutions working in development and humanitarian sector, academics and all interested persons to attend the conference. Participation in the event is free of charge, the meeting will be held in Polish and English.
All the information, the programme and registration form are available at: www.pah.org.pl.
Link to online registration here.
For details please contact Aneta Sarna aneta.sarna@pah.org.pl
Information provided by Joanna Kucharczyk-Jurgielewicz, Polish Humanitarian Action
Today PAH participates in discussion about key challenges that the humanitarian and developing sector will face in nearest future. Quickly changing global situation demands constant readiness and quick, effective reactions for humanitarian crisis. Humanitarian aid is needed not only during natural disasters but more often during prolonged conflicts and human-caused disasters. Economic crisis puts at risk global system of solidarity and questions implementation of development programs. Due to donor-fatigue the engagement of the public for issues related to global solidarity and social justice is getting harder. Those are some of many challenges of humanitarianism in 21st century.
The conference "Key challenges of Humanitarian Aid and Development cooperation in XXI century", will be a space for discussion about those and other issues from Debember 7-8, 2012 in Warsaw, Poland.
During the event diverse actors – NGOs, politics, academics and media, involved in global system of humanitarian aid and development cooperation – will meet and discuss crucial issues. The purpose of this meeting is to strengthen the cooperation between different actors towards common understanding of humanitarian and development issues and build global movement towards decision-makers.
Polish Humanitarian Action invites the representatives of NGOs, state and non-state institutions working in development and humanitarian sector, academics and all interested persons to attend the conference. Participation in the event is free of charge, the meeting will be held in Polish and English.
All the information, the programme and registration form are available at: www.pah.org.pl.
Link to online registration here.
For details please contact Aneta Sarna aneta.sarna@pah.org.pl
Information provided by Joanna Kucharczyk-Jurgielewicz, Polish Humanitarian Action
Development Education in the Trade Union Movement
Trade unions have been active of Development Education and Awareness Raising (DEAR) for a long time, international solidarity being in their founding principles. But in the times of the global economic crisis and increasing interdependency, the engagement of workers and trade unions in building understanding and engagement in global development processes among the TU members as well as the wide public has never been more crucial.
In order to support DEAR in the trade union movement, TUDCN (Trade Union Development Cooperation Network) is planning a seminar on this topic. The seminar will take place on November 5-7th 2012 in Vienna, Austria. It will focus on the exchange of best practice in trade union development cooperation, partnerships with CSO and governmental partners, overview of the current European processes on DE and fundraising for DE programmes. The seminar will also discuss how to best support TUs engaged in Development Education through the work of TUDCN.
You can learn more about trade unions in DEAR in two recent TUDCN articles on this topic: Development Education and Awareness Raising in the trade union movement and Development Education and Awareness Raising: does it matter for trade unions?
For more information about DEAR activities in TUDCN and the upcoming seminar contact Kasia Szeniawska, ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation): kasia.szeniawska@ituc-csi.org
Information provided by Kasia Szeniawska- ITUC
In order to support DEAR in the trade union movement, TUDCN (Trade Union Development Cooperation Network) is planning a seminar on this topic. The seminar will take place on November 5-7th 2012 in Vienna, Austria. It will focus on the exchange of best practice in trade union development cooperation, partnerships with CSO and governmental partners, overview of the current European processes on DE and fundraising for DE programmes. The seminar will also discuss how to best support TUs engaged in Development Education through the work of TUDCN.
You can learn more about trade unions in DEAR in two recent TUDCN articles on this topic: Development Education and Awareness Raising in the trade union movement and Development Education and Awareness Raising: does it matter for trade unions?
For more information about DEAR activities in TUDCN and the upcoming seminar contact Kasia Szeniawska, ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation): kasia.szeniawska@ituc-csi.org
Information provided by Kasia Szeniawska- ITUC
Call for Proposals: Civil Society Dialogue between the EU and Turkey
Strengthening the social and cultural dialogue between the EU and Turkey is a component of the accession process which is as equally crucial as the reform process in Turkey and the framework for accession negotiations. In order to include civil society in this process, the Ministry for EU Affairs (MEU) of the Republic of Turkey has implemented various projects to promote the civil society dialogue between the EU and Turkey since 2005.
As a continuation of these civil society dialogue projects conducted by the MEU, a call for proposal of "Civil Society Dialogue between the EU and Turkey - III Program (CSD-III)” is going to be announced in November 2012. CSD-III consists of two main grant components, Political Criteria and Media, and will be funded by the EU through a resource amounting to 9 million Euros.
As a requirement of the nature of the civil society dialogue, partnership between CSOs in Turkey and the EU is a must for grant projects to be funded under two components. With this aim, the Turkish Ministry gives high importance to the process of informing relevant stakeholders in the EU Member States effectively, and also aims to develop a partner database covering relevant CSOs from the EU and Turkey.
For further information, please contact Mr. Murat BASER at mbaser@ab.gov.tr and Ms. Tugba Bozcaga at tbozcaga@ab.gov.tr from the Ministry for EU Affairs of the Republic of Turkey.
You will also find further details on CSD projects here and here.
Source: CONCORD Member to Member Newsletter from 16/10/2012
As a continuation of these civil society dialogue projects conducted by the MEU, a call for proposal of "Civil Society Dialogue between the EU and Turkey - III Program (CSD-III)” is going to be announced in November 2012. CSD-III consists of two main grant components, Political Criteria and Media, and will be funded by the EU through a resource amounting to 9 million Euros.
As a requirement of the nature of the civil society dialogue, partnership between CSOs in Turkey and the EU is a must for grant projects to be funded under two components. With this aim, the Turkish Ministry gives high importance to the process of informing relevant stakeholders in the EU Member States effectively, and also aims to develop a partner database covering relevant CSOs from the EU and Turkey.
For further information, please contact Mr. Murat BASER at mbaser@ab.gov.tr and Ms. Tugba Bozcaga at tbozcaga@ab.gov.tr from the Ministry for EU Affairs of the Republic of Turkey.
You will also find further details on CSD projects here and here.
Source: CONCORD Member to Member Newsletter from 16/10/2012
Schüler Helfen Leben - Projects for Social Development
The German foundation Schüler Helfen Leben(SHL) invites non-profit organizations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia to apply for project funding, aiming to strengthen the social development of children and young people in the target countries. The proposed projects should be carried out and completed within 24 months, starting not later than September 1st, 2013 with budgets ranging from EUR 125.000 to EUR 175.000. The projects should be problem sensitive, strategic oriented, sustainable and innovative, capable of creating a difference in the focus areas: migration, inclusion, regional cooperation and volunteerism.
Applications must be written in German or English and can only be submitted online through the application form which is available here and on the website of SHL. Deadline is 05/11/2012.
Source: BCSDN E-Mail Alerts nr. 255
Europe in the Reshaped Middle East
Eighteen months after the start of the uprisings in Tunisia, developments in the Arab world continue to oscillate between hope and fragility. Europeans must stand ready to understand the region’s new paradigm as it gradually takes shape.
In this collection of essays, FRIDE’s Middle East team aims to link together different parts of the policy puzzle since the momentous events of early 2011. This is a snapshot of a story that still has a long way to run.
Read more on the website of FRIDE.
Download the publication here (pdf).
Source: FRIDE - Fundacion para las Relaciones Internacionales y el Dialogo Exterior
"DEAR in times of Crisis" a dossier by DEEEP
How development educators should react to this economic crisis? This dossier intends to explore the consequences of the economic crisis on development education, with a specific focus on the cases of Spain, Greece, Italy and the UK.
Download the dosser here (pdf)
More thematic dossiers on the DEEEP website
The Working group on Quality and Impact of the DARE Forum, with the support of DEEEP has been working on a new tool "A Journey to Quality Development".
This publication will be available soon on our website, and in hard copies. The framework will help in developing ideas on:
- why quality is important to you and your work,
- the issues which should be included in considering quality,
- how you can see quality -or a lack of it
- in the work you do, and
- how you can provide evidence of the quality of your work.
A Journey to Quality Development Education is not meant to replace existing quality assessment or evaluation approaches, some of which are mentioned on the back page of this document. The process used offers stimuli for thought, debate and, we hope, new ideas that are helpful to you and your organisation in creating successful work that has lasting influence.
For more information contact Harm Jan Fricke.
Information provided by Chiara Tripepi, DEEEP
Toolkit "Engaging Local Society in Sustainable Development"
The toolkit "Engaging Local Society in Sustainable Development" is composed of reflections and findings from the Development Education Summer School 2012. It was drafted by Eva Vítková, Eva Malířová, Inka Píbilová, with contributions from all DESS (Development Education Summer School) 2012 participants.
The toolkit is not a detailed manual that will guide you through a structured process of project design and implementation, but rather a collection of ideas and insights that can be valuable and inspiring for a wider audience - Development Education and Awareness Raising (DEAR) practitioners, educators active in the areas of Environmental Education and Sustainable Development and for anybody else who wants to start exploring these fields.
Download the toolkit here (pdf).
Information provided by Chiara Tripepi, DEEEP
World bank eAtlas of gender
The World Development Report 2012: Gender Equality and Development looks at the facts and trends surrounding the various dimensions of gender equality in the context of the development process: although many women around the world continue to struggle with gender-based disadvantages, much has changed for the better and at a more rapid pace than ever before. But that progress needs to be expanded, protected, and deepened.
See The World bank eAtlas of gender here.
Source: KARAT News September 2012
See The World bank eAtlas of gender here.
Source: KARAT News September 2012
CONCORD: Human Resources and Procurement Officer
In addition the post holder is responsible for supplier contract management and procurement within the organisation. This post will attract someone who already has several years of experience in an HR role in the non-profit sector and is looking to take a step up into a role carrying a significant degree of responsibility. S/he will be capable of working on his/her own initiative with minimum supervision, across the whole range of HR issues, supporting over 20 colleagues from diverse cultures.
Find the Terms of Reference here (pdf).
Please send you application by the 4th of November 2012 to Gaële Nicodeme , CONCORD Finance & Resource Coordinator: gnicodeme@concordeurope.org
Source: CONCORD
Join skilled volunteers in Bangladesh and South Sudan
VSO and EU AID Volunteers launched an exciting new European volunteering programme aimed at engaging skilled professionals in humanitarian aid activities.
What volunteers do we need?
We need volunteers with solid experience of gender advocacy, fundraising, management, as well as health professionals and agriculture / natural resource management professionals. Volunteers will work to build the capacity of organisations and individuals to increase resilience and improve their response to crises. We have projects in Bangladesh and South Sudan and we need over 30 volunteers to work with a variety of local institutions, charities, NGOs and business, to help to provide humanitarian support and professional expertise. The last placements within this pilot project start in January and are about 3 to 24 months months long.
The project is implemented by VSO International , VSO Netherlands and Pro Vobis and is part of a series of pilot projects developed within the frame of The European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (EVHAC). From February 2012 to April 2013, our project will select, train and deploy 40 volunteer experts from across the European Union in programmes focussed on disaster-preparedness (Bangladesh) and post-conflict recovery (South Sudan). Volunteers working under the EVHAC project will be placed directly with VSO’s partner organisations in these countries, and will be supported by VSO local offices.
The European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (EVHAC) is an initiative developed by the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) of the European Commission and is grounded on the Treaty of Lisbon. Its overall aim is to provide international volunteer opportunities for Europeans to engage in humanitarian aid and civil protection activities around the world. The EVHAC project is sponsoring several pilot projects, which will contribute to laying the grounds for a community of European volunteers active in the field. This project is one of the pilot projects under the EVHAC scheme.
Who is VSO?
VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. VSO believes that the greatest impact on poverty and disadvantage is through volunteers sharing skills. VSO has around 1,500 skilled volunteers working with partners in 36 countries right now.
What can you do?
Maybe you’re interested in volunteering yourself? Or maybe you know someone with the right skills who wants to volunteer? Read more about our roles here http://evhac.vsointernational.org/volunteer/opportunities.asp or send a friend this message.
For more information, please access VSO and ECHO or contact Andrea Demeter of Pro Vobis Romania.
Information provided by Andrea Demeter Pro Vobis Romania |
What volunteers do we need?
We need volunteers with solid experience of gender advocacy, fundraising, management, as well as health professionals and agriculture / natural resource management professionals. Volunteers will work to build the capacity of organisations and individuals to increase resilience and improve their response to crises. We have projects in Bangladesh and South Sudan and we need over 30 volunteers to work with a variety of local institutions, charities, NGOs and business, to help to provide humanitarian support and professional expertise. The last placements within this pilot project start in January and are about 3 to 24 months months long.
The project is implemented by VSO International , VSO Netherlands and Pro Vobis and is part of a series of pilot projects developed within the frame of The European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (EVHAC). From February 2012 to April 2013, our project will select, train and deploy 40 volunteer experts from across the European Union in programmes focussed on disaster-preparedness (Bangladesh) and post-conflict recovery (South Sudan). Volunteers working under the EVHAC project will be placed directly with VSO’s partner organisations in these countries, and will be supported by VSO local offices.
The European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (EVHAC) is an initiative developed by the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) of the European Commission and is grounded on the Treaty of Lisbon. Its overall aim is to provide international volunteer opportunities for Europeans to engage in humanitarian aid and civil protection activities around the world. The EVHAC project is sponsoring several pilot projects, which will contribute to laying the grounds for a community of European volunteers active in the field. This project is one of the pilot projects under the EVHAC scheme.
Who is VSO?
VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. VSO believes that the greatest impact on poverty and disadvantage is through volunteers sharing skills. VSO has around 1,500 skilled volunteers working with partners in 36 countries right now.
What can you do?
Maybe you’re interested in volunteering yourself? Or maybe you know someone with the right skills who wants to volunteer? Read more about our roles here http://evhac.vsointernational.org/volunteer/opportunities.asp or send a friend this message.
For more information, please access VSO and ECHO or contact Andrea Demeter of Pro Vobis Romania.
Information provided by Andrea Demeter Pro Vobis Romania |
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