Development and Cooperation Financial Instruments supporting civil society cooperation initiatives in the Black Sea region Black Sea NGO Forum, 6th Edition Bucharest, 4-6 September 2013

DEVCO 2 The EU's engagement with civil society in external relations  CSOs recognised as development actors in their own right, but A changing environment: Increasing number and diversity & more fluid forms of citizen action Rise of Internet & social media Limited dialogue with the state Shrinking space for CSOs & restrictive measures CSO internal challenges (governance, capacity & funding access)  Commission Communication on The roots of democracy and sustainable development: Europe's engagement with civil society in external relations (12 September 2013) Development and Cooperation

DEVCO The Communication in a nutshell (i) Towards a more strategic engagement with CSOs in Developing, Neighbourhood and Enlargement countries Facilitate constructive relations between states and CSOs Three priorities: 3 Development and Cooperation 1.Promoting a conducive environment for CSOs 2.Promoting meaningful and structured participation of CSOs in: -Domestic policy making -EU programming cycle; -International processes and debates. 3.Increasing the capacity of local CSOs to perform their roles more effectively.

DEVCO The Communication in a nutshell (ii) 4 Promoting an enabling environment (1) Strong focus on the country level and empowerment of local actors (2-5) CSOs in regional and global settings (6) Shaping EU support 1. Promoting an enabling environment 2. Inclusive policy-making for better governance 3. Domestic transparency & accountability 4. Social services: partnerships for better quality 5. CSOs’ work for inclusive and sustainable growth 6. CSOs in regional and global settings Development and Cooperation

DEVCO 5 Capacity development Reinforce capacity of local CSOs Long term, flexible and demand driven approach Partnerships with EU CSOs EU Support: Towards a more strategic engagement with CSOs Funding adapted to local needs Appropriate mix of flexible funding modalities Improving access for local CSOs Coordinated EU action Better understanding of the CSO arena Better coordination between EU and Member States Roadmaps for engagement with CSOs

DEVCO Boosting EU engagement with civil society in partner countries New framework reflecting changed role of societies (Arab Spring) & new development policy (Agenda for Change; Busan). Key role CSOs in democratic governance and development. Recognition of CSOs as actors in their own right. Focus on local CSOs in partner countries, recognising country specificities. Better EU coordination: development of country roadmaps with EU Member States. 6

DEVCO Boosting EU engagement with civil society in partner countries Support to role of CSOs in transparent & accountable governance & inclusive economic development; lesser role in service delivery (in specific contexts). Specific attention to role of CSOs in fragile states (New Deal). Stronger engagement of CSOs in EU all stages of programming. Importance of CSO capacity development and internal governance. 7

DEVCO EU Support to CSOs in the Neighbourhood Important commitment of EU Neighbourhood Policy Partnership with societies for national ownership Several instruments: human rights, non-state actors and local authorities, geographic (ENPI) In 2010 – Review of the Neighbourhood Policy and substantial increase for civil society Civil Society Facility: 37 MEUR ( ) for the Neighbourhood East only 8

DEVCO Civil society funding for the Eastern Neighbourhood region (million €) 9

DEVCO The Civil Society Facility: a renewed commitment and a new approach Building capacity and promoting engagement Civil society associated to sectoral dialogue and support Crucial partner in: o policy dialogue o development and implementation of national reforms Transparency and oversight in new approach to Budget Support 10

DEVCO Overview of 2011 funding Call for proposals to: o Strengthen networks and their actions o Support regional projects Capacity building for civil society organisations National calls for proposals: local priorities Support for Eastern Partnership Civil Society National Platforms: to strengthen and promote the role of CSOs in reforms and democratic changes in the countries 11

DEVCO Selected projects in 2011 Multi-stakeholder dialogues on environmental issues Involving vulnerable groups in the decision-making process (minorities, disabled, etc.) Supporting media freedom and anti-corruption efforts Involving business and CSOs in peace-building Engaging CSOs in monitoring activities Supporting CSO networks and platforms 12

DEVCO Capacity building for CSOs Assessing CSO needs and capacities Capacity-building activities for CSOs (trainings, seminars, workshops, exchange of good practices, ad hoc support, etc.) Guiding projects selected through calls Facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations at national and regional level 13

DEVCO Local calls in 2011 Strengthening CSOs' capacity to promote reform and increase public accountability Supporting CSO oversight functions in the area of public finance policy and management Strengthening and promoting CSO's role in reforming local self-governance Capacity building of human rights organisations Strengthening capacities of CSOs and local authorities for the delivery of administrative services 14

DEVCO Neighbourhood East Civil Society Facility Stronger engagement with CSOs in the implementation of bilateral cooperation Civil society is a crucial partner in policy dialogues, local development, sector support programmes and budget support Local calls for proposals launched by EU Delegations Regional call for proposals (€ 3.4 million) to be launched in early

DEVCO The Civil Society Facility Proposed activities: o Training for CSOs o Exchange of best practice o Support to CSO projects o Support to networks of CSOs, o CSO twinning o Capacity building for public authorities on how to better involve CSOs in policy-making 16

DEVCO Support to Civil Society beyond 2013 New instrument to support civil society organisations and local actors from 2014 onwards Continue support to CSOs in the new European Neighbourhood Instrument 17

DEVCO Thank you for your attention! 18