Regional Seminar ENP, Russia, Yemen & Iraq Introduction to Wg3 Needs resulting from WG1&2 discussions & conceptual clarifications Baku, February 9-11, 2011

Conclusions from Wg1 and 2 Debates within WG3 (workshops) Needs to be addressed Conclusions from Wg1 and 2 Assessment of potential ways to address these needs (in the form of funding modalities and selection procedures ) Debates within WG3 (workshops)

Identified needs (from Wg1&2 discussions)

Contribute to the promotion of an enabling environment by supporting CSOs lobbying, watchdog and research efforts (also human rights defenders) and adapting funding requirements to the context conditions, institutional and political-wise (avoid a “one-size fits all” approach); Support the role of local CSOs in political dialogue and support new citizens engagement practices, particularly at the local level, throughout the public policy cycle (from agenda-setting to implementation to monitoring and evaluation); Support demand-driven capacity-building of CSOs & CSOs self-governance efforts, with a view to strengthen their voice to influence policy dialogue, participate in development priority settings and service delivery; Support long-term processes of social and economic change in a results-oriented perspective; Support equitable partnerships (also between International and local actors) as well as networking & coalition building among CSOs (at a local, national, inter-regional & international level) on the basis of common agendas and shared objectives;

6. Preserve and support the RoI of CSO through flexibility in aid programming & financial support; 7. Support multi-stakeholder approaches to development and governance and allow for a more collective decision-making process on funding; 8. Support pilot initiatives, knowledge development activities, empirical research and dissemination initiatives by local actors; 9. Support grass-roots & community-based organisations & movements, often excluded from EU funding opportunities due to the complexity of the procedures (e.g. via simplification of funding mechanisms, building in more flexibility; ring-fencing of funds, etc) 10. Support decentralisation efforts, provide effective& decentralised support LAs and support ”bottom-up” multi-actor territorial approaches to development & local governance; 11. Enhance funding predictability and increase harmonisation among donors to reduce transaction costs and decrease the burden imposed on CSOs.

Conceptual clarifications

Conceptual clarification What do we refer to when talking about funding mechanisms? Selection procedures (Funding) Aid modalities

Current state of play Funding modalities Selection procedures Project funding Open CfP Restrictive CfP Project-based calls for proposals are the primary means through which grants are awarded by the EC.

Alternative mechanisms to be further explored Funding modalities Selection procedures Programme funding Core funding Block-grants / re-granting Pool funds Follow-up grants Decentralised sector budget support Twinning Service contracts Etc. Targeted CfP Ring-fencing of funds Certification systems Direct award Tenders Etc.

The needs table Needs Responses Strengths Weaknesses Feasibility

Wg3 workshops   Workshop 1: The Call for Proposals as a selection procedure for the disbursement of EC funding to support CSOs&LAs Workshop 2: Better targeting and actor segmentation in aid delivery Workshop 3: Support long-term processes & strengthen the sustainability of interventions As a cross-cutting theme: Harmonization & cost-effectiveness of aid delivery