Join the Civil Society Alliance for European Year for Development

“CONCORD is looking to build a broad Civil Society Alliance for a successful EYD2015 – be part of it!” This is the call to action from CONCORD Director – Seamus Jeffreson.

In one of his recent blog posts, he outlines the aims of objectives of this Civil Society Alliance (CSA). Among others, the Alliance “will use the European Year 2015 for Development as an opportunity to foster critical discussions on and engagement for global justice among the citizens of the European Union, involving different stakeholders in the discussion beyond the usual development sector.”

Last week in Alliance was launched in Brussels. Led by CONCORD – the European NGO Confederation for Relief and Development – the Alliance will involve organisations from various sectors. Organisations are invited to join by adhering to a Charter of Values of the Alliance and filling in a form. The Alliance will organise pan-European activities during 2015 and collect and cluster citizens' input and propose policy recommendations to EU and national institutions.

The Civil Society Alliance also has a sub-granting mechanism available for organisations who want to contribute to the realisation of the objectives the European Year for Development. More info about joining the Alliance can be found here.


Information provided by TRIALOG

Food Security Workshop in Schools in Malta

As part of the Global Education Week, organised in the frame of the North-South centre of the Council of Europe at St Margaret College Boys’ Secondary, Kopin’s team implemented a number of different activities on the topics of food and food security for 10 to 12 year-old children.

The event took place on the 8th of January 2015 and saw the participation of about 100 between Primary and Secondary school students. The event started with a food-related quiz. After that, Kopin’s team provided the students with some basic information on food security and food waste, in order to introduce a quiz about the origin of different food products, with the aim to help them realise that the things they eat come from many different countries, which often suffer food insecurity. Afterwards, we had a game called the “String Game”, by which the students were made to think about global markets and dependencies. The children were divided into groups and given different roles of actors in the global trade of chocolate. Each group was given a ball of string, with which the children were asked to connect the actors they would think would be connected. By imagining a drought in Ivory Coast and a disease in Brazil the children were asked to think about the consequences for the global market when one instance is affected. In the end there was a discussion, in which the students could explain what they had learned through the activities. The children learned a lot and enjoyed themselves.

For more information please contact KOPIN at info@kopin.org


Article provided by Jennifer-Louise Robinson, Intern at KOPIN 

Towards a World Citizens’ Movement: Short conference report and video is out

DEEEP project has published a short report and a video mapping the process of building a world citizens movement that took place in second Global Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. Both the report and the video capture the main objectives and outcomes of this unique meeting that connected various civil society actors and activists from across the world.

The conference “Towards a world citizens’ movement: learning from the grassroots” was focused on supporting the emergence of a world citizens’ movement and provided a space for mutual learning. More than 200 activists and civil society actors me
t in Johannesburg in order to learn from each other’s experience, to strengthen cooperation and exchange ideas and practices among grassroots-level organisations. The ideas of how to bring a social change have been discussed and the action proposals for the future have been set up. The first General Assembly of Action/2015, an umbrella campaign aiming to connect the Civil Society sector around the year 2015 and take joint actions, took place there, too.

Information provided by DEEEP

The Council of the European Union conclusions on a transformative post-2015 agenda

In December 2014, the Council of the European Union adopted its conclusions on a transformative post-2015 agenda. “The Council reaffirms the vision and priorities of the EU and its Member States as set out in its Conclusions of June 2013 and emphasises that poverty eradication and sustainable development are mutually reinforcing and intrinsically linked.”
Among others, the document also highlights the fact that “strengthening civil society and ensuring an enabling environment for civil society actors is essential.”

The document is available here.

Source: Council of the European Union

Eurobarometer: The European Year for Development – Citizens’ views on development, cooperation and aid

Helping people in developing countries is considered important by 85% of Europeans according to this Eurobarometer survey. It shows that, overall, attitudes towards development and cooperation are positive. In spite of continuing economic uncertainty across the EU, there is strong support for increasing development aid in almost all Member States.

In addition, most respondents agree not only that helping developing countries should be one of the EU’s main priorities, but also that doing so would benefit Europeans and that providing aid is in the EU’s own interest. 2015, the European Year for Development, will be an important opportunity for the EU to build on this and inform citizens of the development challenges lying ahead, engaging in a debate with them.

Some interesting findings from the survey that highlight the opinions of citizens from EU13 countries – the countries that have joined the EU since 2004, TRIALOG partner countries – are the following:
• Awareness about the 2015 as the European Year for Development is the highest in Hungary (24%), Lithuania (22%), Italy, Malta and Latvia (21%), but lowest in Czech Republic (7%).
• Tackling poverty in developing countries as one of the main priorities of the EU and national governments: Respondents in Croatia, Cyprus, Sweden and Malta are among the most likely to agree, at the same time, they are the ones most likely to say it is important to help people in developing countries. Estonia and Slovakia are the only Member States where fewer than 50% agree that tackling poverty in developing countries should be one of the main priorities of the EU.
• A majority of respondents in every Member State, except in Bulgaria, agree that aid should be increased.
• Tackling poverty in developing countries is seen as a moral obligation with the highest numbers in Cyprus (91%) and Croatia (89%), meanwhile the lowest figures are shown amongst respondents in Estonia (57%), the Czech Republic (60%) and Slovakia (63%).
• On volunteering in organisations one in five respondents in the EU agree that it helps developing countries, most strikingly in Cyprus (40%). Respondents in Hungary are the least likely to say volunteering is effective, but even so, at 58% they still represent the majority.
• Personal commitment to and involvement in development: On the role of individuals in tackling poverty there is a wide diversity of opinions across Member States. In Bulgaria (72%) and Estonia (71%) respondents disagree with the statement that as individuals they can play a role in tackling poverty. Within EU13 respondents, in Cyprus, Malta and Romania they are more likely to agree with the statement.

Find more insights from the full servey here.
Read your country factsheet, available here.



Information provided by TRIALOG, based on ECDPM - European Centre for Development Policy Management

Regional Workshop on EU Aid Volunteers Initiative: Ljubljana, 26 January 2015

As part of the Slovenian Development Days, organised by the Slovenian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and SLOGA Platform, a Regional Workshop will be held on the topic of EU Aid Volunteers Initiative on 26 January 2015.

Representatives of the MFAs and humanitarian NGOs from Slovenia, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy and the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council will meet with an expert from DG ECHO to discuss the following topics:
(-) EU Aid Volunteers Initiative in general and lessons learnt from pilot projects;
(-) Upcoming call for proposals for capacity building and technical assistance;
(-) Eligibility criteria for certified organisations; and
(-) Capacity building opportunities.

The workshop will also present an opportunity to exchange view and experiences from pilot projects, search for future partnerships and liaise with ECHO.

For more information please see the invitation and the programme.


Information provided by SLOGA

Save the date: Third Humanitarian Congress in Vienna - "Humanitarian Aid under Fire"

One of the key aims of the Humanitarian Congress Vienna on 6th of March 2015 is to increase the visibility of humanitarian work. A second aim is to raise awareness among decision makers for the relevance of humanitarian aid and cooperation, both at the national, the European and international level. The Congress brings together experts from medical, humanitarian and international organisations, politics, media as well as a large number of students from different areas of study. Registration is open until 28 February.

More information is available here.

Source: AG Globale Verantwortung Newsletter

Call for papers: Development 2.0 or "Business as usual"? Private Sector, Institutions and Development

Location: University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Dates: 24, 25 and 26 June 2015

Both junior and senior researchers are invited to submit their contributions to the summer school. Contributions from different disciplines examining the role of private sector for development and how this role is mediated by institutions will be given priority, although contributions covering other topics will be considered as well.

A non-restrictive list of topics dealt with during the conference:
• Agricultural and food value chains: improving the lives of small-scale producers?
• Extractive industries and communities: corporate social responsibility and local development
• Certification and standards: tools for poverty reduction?
• Small and medium enterprises & industrial clusters in developing countries
• Private sector development
• Labour standards in global value chains
• South-South integration and the spill-overs on the private sector
• Aid for trade and global value chains

Deadline for submissions: 16th of March 2015.
More information on the conference and criteria for submissions can be accessed here.

Source: University of Antwerp

Protecting Civil Society’s Role in Development Co-operation

In an article published by the CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness in cooperation with the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation, Virginie Coulloudon from Transparency International looks at the role of CSOs in Development Co-operation. She talks about the role of transparency and accountability in relation to development co-operation and she highlights the fact that “CSOs also help monitor the laws that they worked to have passed, with people coming together to make sure rights are not abused and laws are obeyed. Civil society plays a part in monitoring the activities of private sector entities, for example bringing up instances of illegal pollution and human rights abuses, creating accountability when needed.”

Please click here to read the full article.

Source: CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness

The Dawn of the Post-MDG Era? Challenges for Africa - EU Relations in 2015

The year 2015 will be a threshold year for international cooperation and global development, with both Europe and Africa in positions to play pivotal roles. Long-running global policy processes will culminate in four decisive meetings during the year, two of them in Africa, one in Europe and one in New York at the United Nations (UN).

In this context, the ECDPM’s annual Challenges Paper explores questions such as: are leaders ready for the Post-2015 world? Can the African Union speak with one voice and ensure the SDGs are a stepping-stone for its ambitious Agenda 2063? Are development partners ready for cooperation that leaves no one behind? Are both developed and developing countries ready to take action that ensures necessary and equitable growth without irreversible damage to our climate for future generations? The aim of this Paper is not to predict outcomes, but to situate debates that concern Africa-EU relations so as to facilitate as wide a stakeholder engagement as possible.

The Paper can be downloaded here.


Source: ECDPM - European Centre for Development Policy Management

Report on Donors Strategies and Practices paints a Bleak Picture on how Civil Society is supported in Balkan Countries

The first in-depth report “Donor Strategies and Practices for Supporting Civil Society in the Western Balkans” developed by BCSDN and Queen Mary University of London research and academic team uncovers basic elements and principles on which support to civil society by foreign donors rests and which need to be challenged to strengthen the potential and role civil society has in current Balkan societies.

The report also presents a set of conclusions and offers a series of recommendations in light of the broader political context in the region, including the need to challenge dominance of instrumentalised approach to civil society support, inclusion of civil society actors in planning and designing aid modalities, and tackling transparency and accountability of state funding for civil society as an important and long term source of support.

The full report is available for download at this link.


Source: Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN)

Financing the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals: a rough roadmap

Looking ahead to major UN-hosted international meetings on development finance in 2015 and beyond, this report for officials, advisors, and commentators aims to shape the agenda. It builds on a large body of recent literature on how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should best be framed, delivered and, in particular, funded, focusing on developing countries. The paper was published by the Overseas Development Institute and is available for download here.















Source: Overseas Development Institute

Capacity development opportunities in DEAR Sector for 2015

DEEEP project has opened a call for proposals for projects which aim is to address capacity development needs within the DEAR sector. Through sub-granting mechanisms DEEEP would like to support Development Education and Awareness Raising activities on local, regional or European level. The main goal is to give an opportunity to organisations that are part of CONCORD DARE Forum to implement new strategies, to improve the cooperation within the teams, to put in practice new approaches and address specific capacity development needs.

Applicants can submit proposals in two categories, for either national seminars or capacity development projects. The activities proposed will have to be implemented in 2015. All the materials and background documents as well as details on application and evaluation process can be found on DEEEP’s website.

Deadline for application is 2nd February 2015.
 For further information please contact DEEEP Capacity Development Officer Luciana Almeida at luciana.almeida@concordeurope.org 


Information provided by DEEEP

European Youth Foundation – Grants for International Youth Activities

The European Youth Foundation (EYF) is a fund established by the Council of Europe to provide financial support for European youth activities. The EYF provides financial support to the following types of activity undertaken by youth NGOs or networks, or by other NGOs involved in the areas of youth work relevant to the Council of Europe’s youth policies and work:
• educational, social, cultural and humanitarian activities of a European character;
• activities aiming at strengthening peace and co-operation in Europe;
• activities designed to promote closer co-operation and better understanding among young people in Europe, particularly by developing the exchange of information;
• activities intended to stimulate mutual aid in Europe and in the developing countries for cultural, educational and social purposes;
• studies, research and documentation on youth matters.

The next EYF deadline is 1 April, 2015. For more information on the funding criteria and application procedure, click here.

Source: Mladiinfo