Commission adopts paper on development policy and civil society, November 2002

Each year some €1.4 billion (20%) of official EU funding for development assistance is managed by or with non-state actors (NSAs; the term appears to be used synonymously with NGOs - non-governmental organisations - and with 'civil society'). The involvement of civil society oragnisations rather than just governments and public authorities is considered an essential element of successful development policies, because it helps promote 'ownership' by the developing countries concerned. A policy paper published by the European Commission on 7 November 2002 confirms the importance of NSAs in the development process and looks at how their involvement can be increased and strengthened.

Introducing the Communication 'Participation of non-state actors in EC development policy' the European Commissioner responsible for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Poul Nielson, said 'The participation of non-state actors through bilateral dialogues with all of our partner countries is essential for good development policy and is essential in promoting good governance. The Commission is moving towards long-term sector programmes. Non-state actors active in these sectors who represent various local interests and sensibilities are well placed to participate in the activities of the Commission.'

The new Communication builds on a joint Council-Commission statement on EU development policy issued in November 2000, which itself acknowledged the key role of ownership and called for wide-ranging participation of all segments of society.

The latest document also complements the principles presented in the White Paper on European Governance, which states 'The organisations which make up civil society mobilise people and support, for instance, those suffering from exclusion or discrimination ... Non-Governmental organisations play an important role at global level in development policy. They often act as an early warning system for the direction of political debate ... The Commission will improve the dialogue with governmental and non-governmental actors in third countries when developing policy proposals with an international dimension.'

In addition to highlighting the importance of NSAs, the new Communication also looks at how their involvement can best be encouraged and managed. It mentions the importance of capacity building and the role NSAs in developed countries can play in 'transferring their know-how and expertise to other development actors in the South.'

NSAs can participate in EU-funded projects 'either as implementing partners or on their own initiative with an activity defined by themselves'. They are expected 'to operate in a transparent and accountable manner' and to 'share the objectives of promoting poverty reduction, good governance and sustainable development, and ... to prove their capabilities in working in key development areas.'

The Communication includes a list of standards with which NSAs should comply and 'realistic and simple monitoring systems' which can be used to evaluate the quality of their contributions, but concludes that 'Implementation of the principle of NSA participation in the development process will evolve over time as a result of lessons learnt.'

Links:

European Commission:
	Participation of non-state actors in the EU development policy: Commission adopts policy paper [IP/02/1630]
	Communication from the Commission ... Participation of non-state actors in EC development policy

Eric Davies
KnowEurope Researcher,
Compiled: Friday, 8 November 2002

The European Commission published a policy paper on 7 November 2002 that confirms the importance of non-state actors (NSAs) in the development process and looks at how their involvement can be increased and strengthened.