Regional Programming Civil Society Facility Horizontal Issues 1
Project Background (1) Commission Communications on the Western Balkans (2006) and on Civil Society Dialogue in Candidate Countries (2005): the importance of extended relationship between CSOs from Europe and the region. 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. See: ec.europa.eu/enlargement/press_corner/key-documents/index_en.htm
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 see: ec.europa.eu/enlargement/balkans_communication/index_en.htm
Objective Project Objective and Purpose 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: 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 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.
Regional activities (1) 1. Technical Assistance ( 8 Million) 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 (project guidance) Evaluate the impact of (donor funded) actions Publish and disseminate project results Advise on further actions (Call for proposals) Co-ordinate needs locally (local donor co-ordination) Target: CSO service centres of and for CSOs
Regional activities (2.1) 2. People 2 People Programme ( 4 Million) 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
Regional activities (2.2) People 2 People Programme 2009 events (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
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 ( 2.( 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 ( 1.7 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
Regional activities 2009 Calls for Proposals that group all sorts of CSOs, socioeconomic partners, public administrations, education institutes, etc. acting in a transnational partnership. Aim: to create or strengthen partnerships between CSOs in the Beneficiaries and the EU. Target groups: not-for-profit organisations involved in social-economic development, CSOs dealing with the protection of minorities and CSOs active in the field of culture. Budget: 12 Meuro
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
Regional activities 2010 Socio-Economic CSOs Strengthen the capacity of Socio-economic CSOs, by cooperation and transfer of knowledge between business associations, trade unions, professional organisations and other CSOs in the region with their EU counterparts, centred on themes as: health and safety, innovation, environment, corporate social responsibility and EU integration.
Regional activities 2010 Minorities and Vulnerable Groups Strengthen the capacity of the CSOs on Minorities and Vulnerable Groups, by cooperation and transfer of knowledge with CSOs from the areas and their counterparts from the EU Strengthen interaction between CSOs and decision makers (i.e. CSOs sharing expertise on government measures), using EU CSOs' experiences and best practices
Culture Regional activities 2010 Increase the cultural dialogue through reinforcing/creating networks of cultural public, private and third sector actors and resources within the region and with the EU; promotion of intercultural dialogue through these activities; Foster public access to cultural diversity in the region by exchange of artists, art works and history and heritage.
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))
OTHER INITIATIVES IPA: Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) Community Programmes: - Progress - Daphne - Culture - Media - Europe for Citizens
CBC Component II of the IPA: Cross-Border Cooperation Objective: Promotion of good neighborhood relations Higher security Prosperity and stability Balanced and sustainable development Through: Four bilateral programmes (ALB,BiH, HR, SRB) Adriatic programme (ALB, BiH, GR, HR, I, MNE & SLO) Two transnational programmes (MED & SEES)
CBC Adriatic CBC programme: 1)Economic, Social and Institutional Cooperation Research and Innovation Social, Labour and Health Networks 2) Natural and Cultural Resources Protection and Enhancement of the Marine and Coastal Environment Natural and Cultural Resource Management and Prevention of Natural and Technological Risks Energy Saving and Renewable Energy Resources Sustainable Tourism
CBC Bilateral CB programmes thematic areas: Economic development with an emphasis on tourism Environment protection and promotion Enhancing social cohesion through people-to-people actions Culture
EIDHR Main objective: Support CS in third counties on Human rights (political, civil, economic, social and cultural) Political pluralism, democratic political participation and representation Other objectives: Peaceful conciliation of group interests Fight against discrimination Gender equality in social, economic and political life Support to activities aimed at implementing the EU guidelines on Human Rights Special emphasis: children's rights, rights of persons with disabilities and rights of indigenous people
EIDHR Preliminary fields of interventions: Freedom of expression Independence of Judiciary ROMA and other minorities issues Functioning of Parliament (legislative and administrative) Gender balance
Community Programmes open to CCs and PCCs Decentralised implementation Youth in Action to promote young people s active citizenship, solidarity, mutual understanding and to contribute to developing the quality of support systems for youth activities and the capabilities of civil society organisations as well as promote European cooperation in youth policies Lifelong learning (repl.:erasmus-mundus & Tempus) to foster the inter-change, cooperation and mobility between education and training systems with the Community so that they become a world quality reference.
Community Programmes open to CCs and PCCs Life+: to contribute to the development, implementation monitoring, evaluation and communication of Community environment policy and legislation as a contribution to promoting sustainable development in EU Health: to complement, support and add value to policies of Member States and shall contribute to protecting and promoting human health and safety and improving public health
Community Programmes open to CCs and PCCs Culture programme to celebrate Europe s diverse cultures and enhance appreciation of our shared cultural heritage. MEDIA 2007: preserve and enhance cultural diversity; its cinematographic and audiovisual heritage; promote inter-cultural dialogue; increase the circulation of EU audiovisual works in- & outside the EU and strengthen competitiveness of the sector. Europe for Citizens to promote active European citizenship
Progress Community Programmes open to CCs and PCCs Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme Consumer programme Civil Protection Mechanism Daphne
Progress Objectives: Improve knowledge/understanding by analysis, evaluation and monitoring Support development of statistical tools, methods and indicators Support & monitor implementation of EU law & policies, assessing impact Promote networking, learning, identification, dissemination of good practice Enhance awareness about EU policies under each of the sections (Employment, Social protection and inclusion, Working conditions, Anti-discrimination and diversity, and Gender equality) Boost capacity of key networks to promote & support EU policies. Support for: Analytical activities Mutual learning, Awareness and Dissemination activities Main actors
Entrepreneurship & Innovation Programme under CIP Actions to support, improve, encourage and promote: access to finance for the start-up and growth of SMEs and investment in innovation activities; the creation of an environment favourable to SME cooperation, particularly in the field of cross-border cooperation; all forms of innovation in enterprises; eco-innovation; entrepreneurship and innovation culture; enterprise and innovation-related economic and administrative reform.
Consumer Programme Consumer Programme 2007-2013 aims primarily to ensure: a high level of consumer protection, notably through improved information on consumer-related data, better consultation and better representation of consumers interests. the effective application of consumer protection rules, notably through cooperation between authorities and organisations responsible for the implementation of consumer legislation, information, education and dispute resolution. Implemented by priorities set out in Annual Work Programmes.
Civil Protection Mechanism Facilitates and supports the provision of European civil protection assistance in the event of a major disaster Both natural and manmade disasters European Commission + 31 participating states (EU & EEA & Croatia) Establishes the Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC)
DAPHNE Objectives: Fight all forms of violence against children, young people & women by the prevention of violence by providing support to victims Support transnational networks of organisations working in this field Funded activities Assisting and encouraging CSOs and others active in this field; Targeted awareness-raising actions; Disseminating results obtained under Daphne; Actions contributing to positive treatment of people at risk; Setting up and supporting multidisciplinary networks; Expansion of the knowledge base and exchange, identification and dissemination of information and good practice; Designing and testing awareness-raising and educational materials; Studying phenomena related to violence and its impact; Developing and implementing support programmes for victims and people at risk and intervention programmes for perpetrators.
Contact DG Enlargement, D3 Civil Society Facility Team Robert.Nelson@ec.europa.eu Karin.McDonald@ec.europa.eu Henk.Visser@ec.europa.eu