Preparing the future policy of the EU with regard to support to CSOs in partner

countries

 

1st Interim Meeting of the Policy Forum on DevelopmentBrussels, 10-11 May 2012

DEVCOStructure of the session

1) CSO in governance roles – First results of the Consultation on CSOs in Development

2) Introduction- The role of CSO in social services and in inclusive growth

Coffee break

3) Two working groups:o Role of CSO in service delivery – social sectorso CSO and the promotion of inclusive growth

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Structure of the Consultation

CSOs and

developm effectiven

ess

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The on-line consultation … ran between the 12 March and 7 May 2012 and open to all stakeholders …

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• Approx. 300 contributions received in total (85% since 1st of May and 65% on the 7th of May)

• Assessment process on-going. Consultation report ready in July 2012

• 50 first contributions assessed so far (almost 20%).

DEVCOAbout the respondents (i)

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More than 90% of the respondents are CSOs, with a majority of NGOs

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About the respondents (ii)

Its well balanced, geographic-wise, with African CSOs taking the lead

DEVCOPreliminary results: three blocks

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Promoting an enabling environment for CSOs to operate

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DEVCOAn enabling environment

… A democratic system that ensures in law and in practice the right to organise, to secure funding, freedom of expression and information and to participate in public affairs

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What can the actors

do?Donors;

CSOs; etc

What indicators

can be used to track

progress?

What role can media

play (traditional

and social)?

Identification of good and innovative practices

DEVCOAbout development partners: what can be done?

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Reaffirmed Political

engagement

Information and

Dialogue

Adequate & predictable funding & Capacity

development

+

+

Political engagement

Internal governance

Information &

Communic.

+

+

About CSOs: what can be done?

• Social media plays a cornerstone role in:

o ensuring public backing to CSOs work;

o documenting good and bad practices;

o raising public awareness ;

o promoting accountability and transparency

• Social media is particularly

relevant in restrictive and fragile environments

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• Frequency of uptake of recommendations by CSOs into policy

formulation

• Effective CS engagement in preparation of annual plans and budgets

• Degree to which FOI, Freedom of association and freedom of press

are respected

• Permanent space for dialogue and/or cooperation between the

government and CSOs

• Number of CSOs registered and operating in the country

• Existence of a CSOs friendly national legislation and procedures

• Degree to which CSOs are free to operate without political interference

• Freedom of receiving foreign funding

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Proposed indicators to measure progress in the area of EE

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Promoting the participation of CSOs in public policy processes and in domestic accountability

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• To ensure effective pro-poor policies and management of public resources -> democratic ownership

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Participation of CSOs in policy processes and domestic accountability

Challenges and

opportunities?

What indicators

can be used to track

progress?

How can the EU &

International CSOs support

Domestic Accountability

?

Identification of good and innovative practices

Criteria to ensure

representativity and legitimacy

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Weaknesses & Challenges Strengths & Opportunities

CSO limitations and weaknessesLack of / insufficient funding Limited advocacy capacity Absence of follow-up mechanismsDispersed CSO actionsExistence of GONGOs

ChallengesPrevailing social and gender inequalitiesCorruption and resistance to changeCitizen's Inactive attitudeGovernments’ autocratic attitudeInsufficient opportunities to contribute to policy making

StrengthsProximity to populations & in-house expertise Mediation role Civic responsibility promotionInstitutionalized structural dialogue & collaborative approaches

OpportunitiesIncreased transparency on public processes CSOs engagement with LAs & governmental agenciesProven added value of inclusive policy dialogueTechnical assistance and peer support provided by INGOs

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Donors’ support

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Support Capacity

development

Enhanced tripartite dialogue

Support citizen

education

+

+

Experience sharing + support to networking

International CSOs support

Financial support

Advocate and put pressure in their

respective governments

+

Financial support

Capacity developmen

t+

+

+

Citizen education and awareness

raising in European countries

Key idea: partnership + alignment with local

CSOs needs

DEVCOProposed criteria• Reputation & good practice record• Experience in oversight methodology, sectoral expertise & know how• Loyalty and commitment to the formulated mission.

• Institutional capacities and available resources to ensure information

dissemination

• Capacity to voice the concerns of grass-roots and social excluded

groups.• Independence (no links with politicians)

• Transparency and accountability systems in place.

Additional comments• The criteria should be identified by CSOs.

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 CSO Capacity Development

CSO Development Effectiveness

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Capacity development and internal governance mechanisms

Donor approaches

to CD

Internal Governance Challenges

Donor support to

internal governance

Identification of good and innovative practices

DEVCOGood practices in Capacity Development

• Bottom up approach to ensure CSO ownership

• Long-term perspective

• Case-by-case approach (i.e. through evaluation of CSO needs)

• Organisational development of CSOs to promote governance & accountability

• Exchange of experiences among CSOs

• Innovative mechanisms (even at funding level), South-South and peer cooperation and search for new partners/allies (e.g. business, professional unions, etc.)

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DEVCO Weaknesses and challenges to

ensure development effectiveness

• Lack of transparency and accountability & weak governance structures.

• Insufficient orientation towards the community and disconnection from their constituencies.

• Lack of technical skills, limited capacity and unstable staff.

• Private interests and fragmentation of efforts

• Top-down leadership models20

The EU should support CSOs own efforts (86%)

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The role of CSO in social services and in inclusive growth

DEVCOThe role of CSO in social services and in inclusive growth

The Agenda 4 Change :o Human Rights, democracy and good governance o Inclusive and sustainable growth for human development

Support to focus on:o the foundations of inclusive growth :social protection, health and

education o the enabling vectors: business environment, regional integrationo sectors with a multiplier effect: sustainable agriculture and energy

•How: public actors in partnerships with private sector and civil society

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