The role of European NGOs in EC Geographic Capacity Building programs first thoughts

1
The role of European NGOs in EC Geographic
Capacity Building programs- first thoughts -
29th May 2009 EC workshop Karine Sohet
2
The capitalisation study on CB programs under
the 9th EDF

• The report highlights political points that
  reinforce findings from the CSO Evaluation and
  the Court of Auditors report
• recognition of a pluriform civil society and the
  fact that different actors have different roles
  and needs
• strong call for a political dimension of any
  future capacity building program, accepting the
  non neutral character of the program.
• the call for a global strategy for inclusion of
  civil society in EC cooperation and for
  investment in a strategic vision on supporting
  and strengthening civil society in a given
  context
• such a strategic approach is only possible if
  adequate means and financial and human resources
  are allocated to it

3
The capitalisation study on CB programs under
the 9th EDF (cont)

• Including the point of view of future
  beneficiaries into the design of the programme
• Allocation of time and resources for
  participation of CSOs is essential
• Participation and quality of CB programme is
  facilitated by an on-going / structured dialogue
  between stakeholders (ECD, NAO and CSOs) to
  ensure long term ownership and results
• Use the programme to launch a dynamic in civil
  society and to promote a structured dialogue
• Do not limit formulation of CB programs to
  Cotonou, but capitalize on the complementarity
  with thematic programmes and approach CS
  capacities and roles in their broad
  national/regional context.

4
Flexible systems for cooperation

• Need for more flexible methodology, strategy and
  modalities of support.
• Need for a more flexible system that combines
  various modalities for funding adaptable to each
  national context
• Promote multi-actor approaches
• Capacity building and empowerment are long-term
  processes that build on existing potential,
  cannot be imported
• TA model of capacity building is not working and
  not favoured by NGOs ? limited number of EU
  NGOs at present involved in these programs
• Need for adjustment of Financial Rules and
  Regulations
• Change tendering frameworks, TOR
• Explore alternatives to present call for
  proposals
• Transform report recommendations into guidelines
  for delegations

5
3 preconditions for successful managementfrom
the perspective of NGOs

• The national context
• EU NGOs and local NGOs can mobilise the local CSO
  community in its wide variety to identify
  relevant priorities for CS support programmes
• The goals to be achieved
• EU NGOs and local IO or other CS actors can
  facilitate the participatory process at times of
  dialogue at early stages of the programming.
• this requires change in mindset at the level of
  Delegations and NAO to enter into real dialogue
  with CSOs when designing the programme
• The skills required complex programs, with
  political AND practical implementation aspects
  need for different types of skills
• EU NGOs and local NGOs or IO support local civil
  society actors in many ways (inside or outside an
  EDF support programme)
• Political information and ability to interpret
  political priorities, advocacy and negotiating
  skills facilitator / broker in multi
  stakeholders participatory dialogues
• networking level facilitating exchanges also
  beyond borders
• Administrative level supporting partners and on
  their request (for preparing an application,
  compliance with EC rules,)

6
First thoughts on possible ways for EU NGOs to
contribute to EDF support programmes

• Local NGOs or IO and EU NGOs can play the same
  roles or work together
• Potential of those EU NGOs that work in a spirit
  of partnership
• Importance of partnership approach empowerment
  of partners ? acceptance and recognition by
  local CS actors
• Managing a block grant (several bloc grants under
  one programme, depending on geographic location
  or category of actors targeted).
• An NGO alone or / consortium managing a programme
  under one contract (the financial guarantee has
  to be solved).
• The NGO would replace traditional technical
  assistance with the advantage of providing more
  than a mere administrative service.
• A consortium of NGOs (EU and/or local) with
  distinctive modules in a broad support strategy,
  working in a coordinated way, but sharing the
  tasks
• one contract and sub-contractors or
• several contracts or
• as a real consortium with a lead contractor and
  partners.

7
First thoughts for possible ways for EU NGOs to
contribute to the program (cont)

• EU or local NGOs cooperating with a programme
  management unit (PMU) as a subcontractor
  supporting certain tasks in direct support of
  beneficiary organisations (training,
  facilitation, communication/information,
  consultation, monitoring and backstopping, etc)
• EU or local NGO signing the contract for the
  management of the programme and subcontracting a
  consultancy or independent consultants for the
  administrative / financial part of the work.
• EU or local NGO contribution for a specific part
  of the programme or task at the request of the
  ECD or PMU (time bound mission, following
  negotiated procedure).
• EU or local NGO role as independent monitoring
  actors and advocating EU institutions and
  governements for improvement and for more
  transparency.

8

• CONCORD CONSTITUENCY IS PREPARED TO COOPERATE
  TOWARDS FINDING THE MOST ADEQUATE MODALITIES FOR
  COOPERATION IN THE FUTURE.