1 Mr. Yngve Engström Head of Unit, Regional Programmes Civil Society Facility.

1

Mr. Yngve EngströmHead of Unit, Regional Programmes

Civil Society Facility

Workshop on "IPA: Its Contribution to Civil Society Development" Brussels18 April 2008

Policy Background 2005/2006 Commission Com on the Western Balkans

and on Civil Society Dialogue in Candidate Countries: Importance of extended relationship between CSOs from Europe and from the region

2007/2008 Enlargement Strategy Paper: Emphasis on fundamental issues such as civil society development and people to people contacts in the region and with the EU

2008 Commission Com on the Western Balkans: Creating conditions conducive to further growth of CSOs’ activities



A common strategy for supporting civil society under IPA

through 3 strands:

- Civic Initiatives and Capacity Building

- People to People Programme

- Partnership Actions

2008-2010 indicative budget of €130 million, of which approximately € 90 million for Western Balkans and€ 40 million for Turkey



The facility will build on the strategy developed over time, but with an increased focus and importance to :

Raise capacity of local NGOs Strengthen responsibility in the CSOs’ sector Facilitate networking and partnership building Create mutual knowledge and understanding


NATIONAL PROGRAMMES

The Multi-Annual Indicative Planning Documents

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 by EC Delegations or in the case of decentralied management (DIS) by the Beneficiary (Croatia, Turkey)


Albania

IPA 2008 - 2010

€ 4,9 million foreseen to support civil society (and media) on the basis of the recommendations to be provided by the Multi beneficiary "tailor made" technical assistance


Bosnia & Herzegovina

IPA Programming 2008 :

Call for proposals (€3,5 million) in order to:

Support CSOs cooperation with municipal authorities

Establish a permanent NGOs’ fee based training Centre

Raise CSOs’ capacity in addressing environmental problems

Create and implement the National Youth Strategy


Croatia

IPA Programme 2008 :

3 Grant Schemes (€1 million per call for proposals) in order

to:

Enhance CSOs' monitoring of the implementation of the EU acquis and advocacy

Increase the effectiveness of the Croatian CSOs in the policy fields of transparency and accountability of public administration and fight against corruption; comprehensive anti-discrimination strategy and sustainable development.


the former Yugoslav Republicof Macedonia

IPA 2008 Programme :

Service Contract (€ 0,3 million) in order to:

Assist the Unit for Cooperation with NGOs in the General Secretariat

Grant Contracts (€1million) in order to:

Improve NGOs’ involvement in decision making process Increase NGOs’ social services and community-based activities Raise awareness on fight against corruption and organised crime Increase quality in inter ethnical relations Strengthen NGO management and fundraising capacity


Montenegro

IPA 2009 Programme

Grant Contracts (€1,2 - 3 million) in order to:

Raise awareness on EU Environmental policy Support anti-discrimination Enhance cultural dialogue


Serbia

IPA 2008 - 2010

€ 3-12 million foreseen to support dialogue and partnership

between the Serbian authorities and the Civil Society in

order to:

Consolidate civil society sector through mainstreaming civil society issues

Promote civil society in monitoring the effectiveness of government policies and programmes


Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244)

IPA 2008 Programme

Call for Proposals (€ 0,7 million) in order to:

Strengthen civil society involvement in policy making Raise awareness in the area of environment and equal

opportunities

Additional Assistance of €1 million is foreseen.


Turkey

IPA 2008 - 2010

€30-45 million foreseen to strengthen dialogue with civil society organisation in order to:

Facilitate domestic development of civil society and its involvement in the shaping of public policies

Reinforce social dialogue and trade union rights Promote cultural diversity and minority rights Support social inclusion of vulnerable persons, including

Roma


Multi-beneficiary ProgrammeIPA 2008

1. Technical Assistance (Service Contract, €8 million, contract Q1 2009)

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)



2. People 2 People Programme (Service Contract, €2 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 the citizens Stimulating NGOs influence and dissemination of knowledge Fuelling relationship between CSOs, CSOs and the public bodies



3. Partnership Actions

Environmental Forum (Service Contract, € 0,3 million) Set up NGO/EC platform / system of information and discussion

Environment, Energy Efficiency, Health and Security at Work (Grant

Contracts € 2,5 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



3. Partnership Actions

Fight Against Corruption, Organised Crime and Trafficking (Grant

Contracts €1 million, contract Q3 2009)

Awareness of citizens, CSOs and media about needs in the fields Create structure for constant monitoring of implementation of reform Create and develop CSOs networks


Conclusions

The Civil Society Facility will harmonise civil society support under IPA combining a regional and national approach

The multi-beneficiary programme will prepare the grounds for national programmes as concerns some countries and at the same time complement the national programmes by providing multi-country co-operation and exchange opportunities for CSOs leading to:


Conclusions

Further ability of CSOs to collect, analyse and

disseminate information

Stronger capacity of CSOs to represent the views of citizens in policy dialogue

Effective communication between all groups of CSOs

Dialogue between CSOs and public authorities fostering a participatory democracy

Contacts

[email protected]

[email protected]


1 Mr. Yngve Engström Head of Unit, Regional Programmes Civil Society Facility.

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