DEVCO Towards a new Strategy for the Thematic Programme on Civil society Organisations and Local Authorities Preliminary core messages from the 3 working groups '

DEVCO 2

3 Are there any common trends?

DEVCO Overall appreciation of the draft strategy; in particular: 4 It builds on the momentum (gained both at EU and international level): CSOs and LAs recognised as development actors in their own right Comprehensive approach to CSOs and LAs Multi-level approach (national, regional, global) Emphasis on lesson sharing & focus on capacity development Focus on the Enabling Environment and links between the EE and policy making Relevance of DEAR both in Europe an partner countries CSOs and LAs role in economic growth

DEVCO core messages 5

DEVCO 1. Relevant notions require further clarification and/or elaboration Capacity development: o What is meant by capacity development? o Where should the focus be? o How should it be supported? Inclusive growth: o What is meant by the concept? o Why only certain types of CSOs are mentioned? o What about cooperation with the private for-profit sector? o What about the use of blending mechanisms? Territorial approaches to development: o What is exactly meant? How is the territory understood? Guiding principles: who & what are they for? 6

DEVCO 2. The programme does not evolve in a vacuum 7 What about other relevant domains of action (HR, democracy, gender, culture, etc) not specifically addressed? Why the focus on inclusive growth and service delivery? What about the interaction with other EU programmes, particularly at country level (i.e. other thematic programmes and instruments; other geographical programmes; etc)? How will complementarity be ensured as regards “the CS channel”? What about relevant on-going processes (e.g. Post 2015 agenda; Busan; etc) ? What about the links to on-going efforts by CSOs and LAs (e.g. Istambul principles on the side of CSOs; decentralised cooperation efforts on the side of LAs; South-South cooperation; etc)

DEVCO 3. More emphasis is needed on the human- rights based approach to development 8 Proposed priorities and objectives do not reflect the central role of Human Rights, governance and the Rule of Law. Governance should be mainstreamed across sectors (e.g. a human rights based approach to pro-poor service delivery) Complementarities and coherence vis-à-vis HR country strategies and EIDHR are to be further developed (e.g. for the promotion of an EE, etc) Risk of creating “artificial walls” (mainly due to internal EC division of labour across units)

DEVCO 4. The “centre of gravity”’ shifts to the country level 9 A global framework is needed, BUT the programme needs to be tailored to the country context. Some challenges ahead: Key role played by EUD (i.e. to asses and understand the context) to be further developed and supported. Need to translate PF ambitions to the country level and link them to the programming cycle. Key role of Road maps to be further developed, including: cooperation with MS; coherence with HR strategies; degree of involvement of CSOs & LAs; etc Complementarity across instruments and programmes. Necessary feedback mechanisms to de developed.

DEVCO 5. Cautionary words on the use and implementation of the differentiation principle Participants warn against labelling countries & adopting restrictive & prescriptive approaches: The gross domestic product (GDP) cannot be the only indicator used to cluster countries. Other relevant dimensions (e.g. inequality; internal cohesion, etc) need to be factored in. (Indicators already exist (e.g. Gini) There are risks in adopting a “black-and-white” position on service delivery based on countries’ categories: o In Fragile countries State institution building is essential, also when providing services o In MICs some groups are de jure or de facto left out by the State when providing services (socially excluded groups) o etc 10

DEVCO 6. Connections and linkages need to better acknowledged and deepened Connections & synergies between CSOs and LAs should be deepened (why only in the realm of territorial approaches? What about the other components & objectives?) The role of European actors needs to be better acknowledged and further developed (i.e. in networking; capacity development; knowledge provision & TA; advocacy; etc) Support to networking is essential at all levels, starting from the national and sub-regional levels. National platforms cannot be left out. Reinforced links are needed with Policy Forum & policy dialogue processes at country level 11

DEVCO : Other relevant issues to be further developed Right of Initiative Decentralisation Gender Role of CSOs in rural areas Bottom-up approach Role of LAs in developing conducive legislation Role of State Capacity development of citizens Influence in EU policy making Etc And last but not least: more information regarding the allocation of funds & funding modalities 12

Development and Cooperation THANK YOU