Engaging strategically with CSOs TUDC Working Group on

Engaging strategically with CSOs TUDC Working Group on EU poliy and Instruments Brussels, 16 April 2012 DEVCO Unit D 2 « Civil society, Local Authorities » Angelo Baglio 1 Development and Cooperation

Engaging strategically with CSO’s Europe. Aid TAKING STOCK AND WHAT NEXT? 2

The past: selected recommendations from studies, Europe. Aid evaluations, audits… The EU should: • Invest more in understanding the civil society arena; • Recognize diversity: added value of different CSO actors such as NGO’s, rade unions and cooperatives; • Enhance genuine CSO participation in the programming processes relating to EC cooperation; • Champion space for CSOs in the policy and political dialogue with partner governments; • Improve modalities for selection and delivery modalities for support to CSOs. To respond to this, the EC launched the Structured Dialogue 3

Structured Dialogue Objective Europe. Aid Increase the effectiveness of all stakeholders by finding a common understanding on the main issues linked to: • • • Added value, mandates of different actors; the specificity of European (or International) actors and their partnership with local actors; How to reconcile the Aid Effectiveness principles with democratic ownership and CSOs and Local Authorities’ (LAs) right of initiative; How to better support CSOs and LAs (aid delivery and selection modalities). 4

Structured Dialogue Process Europe. Aid Involved stakeholders: • More than 700 organizations from 65 countries; • 51 EU Delegations; • Member States; The EC Headquarters (AIDCO/RELEX/DG DEV) and Delegations of the European Union The European Parliament Members States Civil Society and LA representatives (European-based platforms and Southern actors) • European Parliament. Focus on the Global South: Inclusion of CSOs and LAs from partner countries - high priority 15 months of progressive debates all over the world 5

Main outcomes Ø Ø Europe. Aid A Consensus building mechanism Better mutual understanding Consensual conclusions Joint recommendations to all stakeholders The final statement of the SD, also known as the Budapest Declaration calls upon all parties to take forward to a possible extent the recommendations to the different actors elaborated in the concluding document. 6

OECD DAC Peer review 2011 Europe. Aid Looking at the recent EU developments in relation to CSOs; positive trends and some areas for improvement OECD DAC draft report (to be published 28 March): • Progress in increasing & better structuring dialogue with CSOs (including from partner countries); • EU Delegations’ increased dialogue with CSOs evidently: to become more strategic & systematic; • Need to revise funding instruments to make it easier for local organisations to access funding (encouraging steps already taken, ex. 12 technical fiches); • Need to involve a broader range of CS stakeholders in strategic, structured dialogue; • Welcome announcement Policy Forum on Development, forthcoming Communication, DEAR study & new focus CSO capacity. 7

Better recognition of roles and importance of CSO’s in major EU policy documents: Europe. Aid 1. Agenda for Change 2. Communication on Budget Support 3. EU Common Position for the 4 th HLF on Aid Effectiveness (positions reflected also in the Busan Partnership for Effective Development) 8

Civil society in the Agenda for Change Europe. Aid • Importance of civil society organisations (CSOs) reaffirmed. The EU should «work more closely » with these actors (part 1) • Focus on human rights, democracy and good governance o o Political and policy dialogue with all stakeholders In cases where a country loosen its commitment to human rights and democracy, strengthened cooperation with Non State Actors and Local Authorities • Dialogue with civil society and local authorities : built on results of the structured dialogue (for instance, importance of supporting an organised local civil society) • Role of CSOs and LA in inclusive growth, agriculture and energy : there is a role to play for CSOs and LAs in promoting innovative models/practises (forging new type of partnerships promoting decent work, corporate social responsibility…), watchdog role concerning sustainability of processes… 9

More specifically: Civil Society in the Agenda for Change Europe. Aid “Building on the ‘Structured Dialogue’, the EU should strengthen its links with civil society organisations, social partners and local authorities, through regular dialogue and use of best practices. ” “It should support the emergence of an organised local civil society able to act as a watchdog and partner in dialogue with national governments. ” In this two paragraphs the essence of our vision for an enhanced partnership with CSOs 10

2. Civil society in the Communication on the future of Budget Support Europe. Aid Communication on Budget Support Reaffirms strongly the role of CSOs: o Focus on domestic accountability: parliaments, CSOs in their monitoring/watchdog role o Transparency / participatory and inclusive approach o Budget Support schemes considered as Good Governance Contract: linked to respect of fundamental values 11

3. The international context: Busan Europe. Aid Busan Partnership Document Article 22: CSOs play a vital role in: o o o enabling people to claim their rights; promoting rights-based approaches; shaping development policies and partnerships; overseeing their implementation. they also provide services in areas that are complementary to those provided by states. Commitment of all actors to: o o Implement fully our respective commitments to enable CSOs to exercise their roles as independent development actors, with a particular focus on an enabling environment. Encourage CSOs to implement practices that strengthen their accountability and their contribution to development effectiveness. 12

Europe. Aid What comes next? A path towards enhanced partnership at national, regional and global levels 13

COUNTRY LEVEL Europe. Aid üIdentify and map CSOs with a context sensitive perspective üPromote a conducive environment üCSO participation in (multi stakeholder) dialogues: Political dialogue with the Government • Policy formulation • Programme formulation and review • Implementation and monitoring • üPromoting CSO role in budget and sector support üCapacity development e. g. for advocacy/oversight; üFocus and strengthen representative structures üOpen up to an appropriate mix of selection and funding mechanisms üImprove EU donor coordination ………………. . towards a “CSO country strategy” 14

REGIONAL LEVEL Europe. Aid • Recognition of the importance of working at regional level • Strenghtening membership based regional organisations mirroring regional institutions 15

GLOBAL LEVEL Europe. Aid The Policy Forum on Development Ensure effective involvement of CSOs and LAs in EU development policies • Connect and articulate country level with global level (HQ) policies and take stock from SD at country/regional levels • Provide a space to exchange views and collect opinions on global development policy issues • Provide a mechanism for ad hoc consultations linked to the launch of new programmes and initiatives and high level events 16

Communication on CSOs in development Europe. Aid Build upon the Structured Dialogue conclusions, the Agenda for Change and the Busan Partnership Document “the EU should support the emergence of an organised local civil society able to act as a watchdog and partner in dialogue with national governments. ” 17

Europe. Aid Issues for consultation 7 themes and 19 questions 18

Europe. Aid 1. CSO’s and Development Effectiveness Principles 19

Europe. Aid 2. Responding to a shrinking space For CSO action 20

Europe. Aid 3. Participation of CSOs in public process and in domestic accountability 21

Europe. Aid 4. Enhancing CSO internal capacity 22

Europe. Aid 5. CSO internal governance and accountability 23

Europe. Aid 6. To wards a consistent EU engagement with local CSOs at country level 24

Europe. Aid 7. New areas for reflection 25

Translate our principles into action Europe. Aid MFF 2014 -2020 • In the MFF proposal: • Better define and ensure CSO’s involvement in all phases of the programming and implementation cycles of EU development instrument • Geographic programmes complemented by Thematic Programmes and instruments of which : • A renewed EIDHR • A public Goods and Global Challenges • An enhanced CSO/LA Programme focussing on capacity development, development education and awarness raising and networking 26

For more information Europe. Aid Consult the Civil Society Homepage Ci. Soc. H https: //webgate. ec. europa. eu/fpfis/mwikis/aidco/index. php/Main_Page 27