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Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, encourages CONCORD

During a meeting on 11 February, Commissioner Piebalgs encouraged CONCORD to pursue its work, notably to continue to remind him and the European Commission about keeping poverty eradication at the core of development policies and to encourage Members States to meet their aid commitments. The political commitment to development is still there, but finding money for to meet these commitments is going to be a struggle - and therefore he is interested in innovative financing for development.

CONCORD worries for the Millenium Development Goals - February 2010

To put the world back on track towards reaching the MDGs the European Union – as provider of 60% of global aid flows and a major trading partner for some of the world’s poorest nations - should take the lead towards a UN summit in September to halve poverty by 2015. Click here and discover why CONCORD is concerned.

The FAO Civil Society Mechanism on World Food Security is on tracks

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) decided to reform its Committee on World Food Security (CFS). Discover CONCORD position on this.

EU stalling on aid promises, binding targets needed, says CONCORD as OECD announces global 2010 aid forecast

Figures released on 17 February by the OECD show that the EU will not meet its 2010 aid targets. The 2010 aid forecast notes the EU is well off track and will miss its collective target of 0.56% of GNI, agreed in 2005 as an interim benchmark towards achieving the UN goal of 0.7% of GNI by 2015 to finance the Millennium Development Goals.Click here to read the full press release

A threat for NGO: VAT is not eligible anymore as project costs

The non-eligibility of taxes effectively means that grant beneficiaries unable to negotiate full tax exemptions in the concerned country are faced with taxes being considered ineligible. This constitutes a financial risk for grant beneficiaries: 7.1% on average of total project costs for EC funded actions. Financial risk is also reflected in other ways: increase in the co-financing percentage and reduction in the level of administrative costs.

Review of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement: what CONCORD think about

CONCORD has serious concerns on the content of the revision of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, but also on the lack of transparency of the process.

A better involvement of the civil society in the EU and in the ACP countries in the process would not only enhance transparency and democratic participation and legitimacy, but also enable citizens to hold their governments to account.

Read the position of CONCORD on the Review of the Cotonou Agreement

CONCORD priorities in 2010

In order to implement its strategic plan 2009-2014, CONCORD will in 2010:

- hold EU to account on progress towards 2015 aid commitment target and its Millennium Development Goals commitments.

- monitor the extent to which the EU has contributed to the crucial targets on Aid effectiveness.

- lobby to ensure that poverty eradication is at the core of the European Commission’s development policy.

- pay a special attention on the shaping of the European External Action Service and the work of the new European Commission and Council.

- monitor and accompany the second review of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement.

- promote policy coherence for development during the key European high level meetings

- support its members in participation in major events, i.e. the Palermo II process.

- renew its communication strategy and reinforce members' capacity building on lobby, advocacy, gender and human rights-based approach.

- engage thoughtful alliances with other Civil Society organisations.

Read the whole Action Plan 2010

European policies are harming developing countries, says a CONCORD report

Responding to the Commission’s Communication and report on Policy Coherence for Development, CONCORD released a report appealing for Europe to stop harming developing countries with its policies. Read the whole press release. Read the speech of Rob Drimmelen.

The “Spotlight on Policy Coherence” report looks at the damaging impact that EU policies such as trade and agriculture are having on developing countries, effectively undoing all of the potential achievements of its development aid.

CONCORD STRATEGIC PLAN 2009 – 2015

CONCORD members work together to ensure that:

- The EU and member states are fully committed to comprehensive policies and practice that promote sustainable economic, social and human development, aim to address the causes of poverty, and are based on human rights, gender equality, justice and democracy;

- The rights and responsibilities of citizens and organised civil society, to influence those representing them in governments and EU institutions, are promoted and respected.

Click here and discover CONCORD strategic plan 2009-2015

AidWatch Update Briefing: EU Aid in Jeopardy?

According to the latest information collected by CONCORD’s “AidWatch” initiative, summarised in the briefing “EU Aid in Jeopardy?”, the EU is off-track towards its promised aid targets and many Member States are faltering on their aid commitments. Click here to read the update briefing.

How do developing countries see Europe? Click here to discover CONCORD photo exhibition showing the pictures and comments sent by people from devleoping countries. If you are interested, you can borrow this exhibition for free..

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