Robert Nelson, Regional Programming
Civil Society Facility – Horizontal Issues
1
Project Background (1)
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2005/2006 Commission Communications on the “Western
Balkans” and on “Civil Society Dialogue in Candidate
Countries”: the importance of extended relationship between
CSOs from Europe and from the region.
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2007/2008 Enlargement Strategy Paper: commitments by the
European Commission to improve the quality of enlargement
process by emphasising fundamental issues such as civil
society development and people-to-people contacts within the
region and with the EU.
Project Background (2)
2007: Launch of the New Civil Society Facility through
three strands:
- Civic Initiatives and Capacity Building
- “People to People” Programme
- Partnership Actions
2008:
Commission
Communication
on
Western
Balkans: creating conditions conducive to further
growth of CSOs’ activities that complement positive
steps made so far in the region
Project Objective and Purpose
Objective
 Strengthen civil society within a participative democracy,
stimulating a civil society friendly 'environment' and culture
Purpose
 Increase the overall capacities, accountability and credibility
of CSOs
 Enhance CSOs' services and role in the democratic process
 Reinforce dialogue and strengthen ties between CSOs within
the region and with their counterparts in the EU
 Develop CSOs’ consultation towards citizens and public
bodies
Points of concern:
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Legitimacy and credibility of CSOs are recognised;
Legal framework facilitating CSO activities;
Sufficient absorption capacity of CSOs;
Increased cooperation between CSOs;
National policies supportive to CSOs’ catalytic role;
Citizens’ trust of CSO activities;
Donors continue engagement in supporting civil society.
Expected results
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Increased capacities and capabilities of CSOs
Stronger networking (local & international)
Improved services
Better understanding of EU affairs and procedures
Enhanced visibility, participation, influence
More participation of society in CSOs and their
activities
A CIVIL SOCIETY CULTURE
Measurable indicators
 Increased number of advisory services provided by
CSOs
 Improved mutual cooperation among CSOs, and with
public authority
 Increased number of new partnerships at network,
national or regional, and EU levels
 Increased number of new EU projects
 Increased number of good practices, information and
communications exchanges in the region and the EU
level
 Improved level of democracy indicators
Conclusions
 The Civil Society Facility will harmonise civil society
support under IPA and aims to combine the regional and
national approaches.
 The multi-beneficiary programme may prepare the
grounds for national programmes for some countries.
 At the same time, it will complement national
programmes by providing multi-country cooperation and
exchange opportunities for CSOs.
Planned Regional activities (1)
1. Technical Assistance (€8 Million)
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Identify priority needs of the civil society sector in the region
Design and deliver training programmes
Develop communication tools, e.g. website and database
Advise on ad hoc basis individual CSOs
Evaluate the impact of (donor funded) actions
Publish and disseminate project results
Advise on further actions (Call for proposals)
Planned Regional activities (2.1)
2. “People 2 People” Programme (€4 Million)
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Organise EU visits for groups of people belonging to existing
organisations, individuals who play a central role in disseminating
information on EU policies and are reputed promoters of civil society
rights and role
Raising awareness on relevant EU matters
Bringing the understanding of the acquis closer to citizens
Stimulating NGOs influence and dissemination of knowledge
Fuelling relationship between CSOs, CSOs and the public bodies
Planned Regional activities (2.2)
“People 2 People” Programme 2008 events in Brussels
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11-14 November - EU decision-making process and institutions for
young branches of political parties
18-21 November - Intercultural dialogue
24-27 November- Children’s Rights in Europe
1-4 December - Health Challenges in Europe
9-12 December -Employment and Social Dialogue
(Taiex team)
Planned Regional activities (2.3)
“People 2 People” Programme 2009: events planned (Taiex)
 Participatory democracy, lobbying and advocacy towards different
levels of governance, stimulation citizens' participations in Civil
Society
 Safeguarding and promotion of rights for inclusion of disabled
 Social aspects in agricultural sector
 The role of the civil society in combating corruption
 The role of the civil society in the inclusion of the Roma
 Combating discrimination in all forms. Legislation and good practices
 Access to justice. Legal aid
 Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
 Research Potential in Europe
 Consumer protection
Planned Regional activities (3)
3. Partnership Actions (€4.5 Million)
Environmental Forum (€0.3 million)
 Set up NGO/EC platform / system of information and discussion
Environment, Energy Efficiency, Health and Security at Work (€4.0 million)
 Developing networks and partnership in the region and at the EU
 Encouraging intervention and transparency of public administrations
 Fostering public awareness on good practices and legal measures
Fight Against Corruption, Organised Crime and Trafficking (€4.5 million)
 Awareness of citizens, CSOs and media about needs in the fields
 Create structure for constant monitoring of implementation of reform
 Create and develop CSO networks
Ideas on Regional activities 2009
Calls for Proposals that group all sorts of CSOs, socio-economic
partners, public administrations, education institutes, etc. acting in a
transnational partnership
Themes could be:
Food and product safety
Environment
Innovation, Research & Development
Corporate social responsibility
(socio-economic) Integration of disadvantaged
Minorities
Culture
Implementation and duration
 Technical Assistance: Service Contract (24 months)
 “P2P” Programme: Service Contract on an annual basis
 Partnership Actions: Calls for Proposals
1. Environment Forum: Service contract (24 months)
2. Environment, Energy Efficiency, Health and Security at Work:
Grants up to 24 months
3. Fight against Crime, Corruption and Trafficking:
Grants up to 24 months
Planned National Activities
Complementarity:
 Key challenge to strengthen the civil society dialogue in the
overall process of the countries’ accession
 Civil society capacity building will gain in importance
 Implemented either by EC Delegations
or in Croatia and Turkey by the Beneficiary
(“decentralised management” (DIS))
Planned National Activities in 2008
Mainly Calls for Proposals for grants to Civil Society Organisations:
 Bosnia and Herzegovina
€3.5 Million
 Croatia
€3.0 Million
 the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
€1.2 Million
 Serbia
€2.0 Million
 Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244)
€1.7 Million
 Turkey
€3.2 Million
Albania and Montenegro are concentrating on existing support under
CARDS and will programme new activities under the Civil Society
Facility in 2009.
OTHER INITIATIVES
IPA: Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC)
European Initiative for Democracy and Human
Rights (EIDHR)
Community Programmes:
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Progress
Daphne
Culture
Media
Europe for Citizens
Albania
National Activities in 2008
Several CARDS projects provide support to CSOs:
 capacity-building and greater involvement in EU policy debate
(€1.0 Million)
 participation in protection schemes for victims of human
trafficking and in social service delivery (€0.7 Million)
 strengthening advocacy role and CSO contribution to the
protection of basic rights, gender equality and marginalised
persons (€1.2 Million)
Therefore no new actions have been programmed in 2008.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
National Activities in 2008
The IPA 2008 programme (€3.5 Million) will consist of:
 Supporting the cooperation of CSOs with municipal authorities
 Establishing a permanent NGO fee-based training Centre
 Raising the capacity of CSOs in addressing environmental
problems
 Creating and implementing the National Youth Strategy
It will be implemented by:
 a call for proposals,
 TA to provide support in fields not covered by the regional TA,
 a grant agreement with UNDP.
Croatia
National Activities in 2008
Aim: Improving CSO capacity to monitor and implement EU
acquis (transparency and accountability, the fight against
corruption, anti-discrimination strategy and sustainable
development)
 Each grant will include capacity-building and networking
encouraging contacts with EU counterparts
 Implemented via 3 grant schemes (each €1.15 Million)
 Calls for Proposals: 1st quarter - contracts to be signed in 4th
quarter of 2009.
fYRoM
National Activities in 2008
Support (€1.2 Million) to CSOs in decision-making and providing
social services to:
 support the implementation of the strategy for cooperation
between the Government and the civil sector;
 increase the involvement of civil society in the process of
policy-making particularly those connected to EU integration;
 the participation of civil society in providing social assistance.
Projects will start in 2009.
Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244/99)
Planned National Activities in 2008
Under IPA 2008: grant scheme of €1.7 Million to support the civil
society sector
Likely areas:
 environment,
 equal opportunities and
 provision of social services to specific vulnerable groups.
It is expected that contracts will be signed in early 2009.
Montenegro
National Activities in 2008
 In the IPA 2008 no new CSO actions programmed.
 IPA 2007: CSO projects started in 2008 to facilitate dialogue
and partnership between local and EU CSOs, particularly in
social, health and cultural fields.
 IPA 2009: to provide feedback for extra support (€3 Million)
Activities envisaged to:
 raise awareness on EU environmental policy;
 support anti-discrimination initiatives;
 enhance cultural dialogue;
 support the Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs.
Activities are expected to begin in 2010.
Serbia
National Activities in 2008
Under the IPA 2008 €2 Million for CSOs
Aim to strengthen dialogue and partnership between the Serbian
government and civil society as well as to promote and reinforce
the capacity of CSOs.
All projects ready for tendering in the 1st quarter of 2009.
Turkey
National Activities in 2008
In addition to the current implementation of Civil Society
Dialogue programme, the IPA 2008–2010 will offer a further
opportunity for strengthening dialogue (€30 - 45 Million) and will:
 facilitate domestic development of civil society and its
involvement in the shaping public policies;
 reinforce social dialogue and trade union rights;
 promote cultural diversity and minority rights; and
 support social inclusion of vulnerable persons, including Roma.
In 2009 and 2010, projects will be launched to reinforce the
democratic participation of civil society.