Division B ‘CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES’ PROGRAMME

In line with the conclusions of the Structured Dialogue Initiative of the Commission and the support of the Union to human rights, democracy and good governance, the objective of this programme is to strengthen civil society organisations and local authorities in partner countries and, when provided for in this Regulation, in the Union, candidate countries and potential candidates. It aims to foster an enabling environment for citizen participation and civil society action and cooperation, exchange of knowledge and experience and capacities of civil society organisations and local authorities in partner countries in support of internationally agreed development goals.

For the purpose of this Regulation, ‘civil society organisations’ are non-State, non-profit making actors operating on an independent and accountable basis which include: non governmental organisations, organisations representing indigenous peoples, organisations representing national and/or ethnic minorities, diaspora organisations, migrants' organisations in partner countries, local traders' associations and citizens' groups, cooperatives, employers associations and trade unions (social partners), organisations representing economic and social interests, organisations fighting corruption and fraud and promoting good governance, civil rights organisations and organisations combating discrimination, local organisations (including networks) involved in decentralised regional cooperation and integration, consumer organisations, women's and youth organisations, environmental, teaching, cultural, research and scientific organisations, universities, churches and religious associations and communities, the media and any non governmental associations and independent foundations, including independent political foundations, likely to contribute to the implementation of the objectives of this Regulation.

For the purpose of this Regulation, ‘local authorities’ encompass a large variety of sub-national levels and branches of government, i.e. municipalities, communities, districts, counties, provinces, regions etc.

This programme shall contribute to:

1. (a)

   an inclusive and empowered society in partner countries through strengthened civil society organisations and local authorities and basic services delivered to populations in need;

2. (b)

   an increased level of awareness in Europe regarding development issues and mobilising active public support in the Union, candidate countries and potential candidates for poverty reduction and sustainable development strategies in partner countries;

3. (c)

   an increased capacity of European and Southern civil society and local authority networks, platforms and alliances to ensure a substantive and continued policy dialogue in the field of development and to promote democratic governance.

Possible activities to be supported by this programme:

1. (a)

   interventions in partner countries which support vulnerable and marginalised groups by providing basic services delivered through civil society organisations and local authorities;

2. (b)

   capacity development of the targeted actors complementary to support granted in the framework of the national programme, actions aiming at:

   1. (i)

      creating an enabling environment for citizen participation and civil society action and the capacity of civil society organisations to participate effectively in policy formulation and in the monitoring of policy implementation processes;

   2. (ii)

      facilitating an improved dialogue and better interaction between civil society organisations, local authorities, the State and other development actors in the context of development;

   3. (iii)

      strengthening the capacity of local authorities to participate effectively in the development process, acknowledging their particular role and specificities;

3. (c)

   raising public awareness of development issues, empowering people to become active and responsible citizens and promoting formal and informal education for development in the Union, in candidate countries and potential candidates, to anchor development policy in society, to mobilise greater public support for action against poverty and for more equitable relations between developed and developing countries, to raise awareness of the issues and difficulties facing developing countries and their peoples, and to promote the right to a process of development in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully realised and the social dimension of globalisation;

4. (d)

   coordination, capacity development and institutional strengthening of civil society and local authority networks, within their organisations and between different types of stakeholders active in the public debate on development as well as coordination, capacity development and institutional strengthening of Southern networks of civil society organisations and local authorities and umbrella organisations.