Starting up policy activities of the Czech NGDOs’ Platform

Total Budget: 49.974 euros        Request from Fund: 44.796 euros

Czech NGDOs focus on implementation of development programmes in the South and on development education rather than engaging in debates over the EU development policy related international policy agenda. There is insufficient expert capacity for and experience in policy work among the Czech NGDOs. Financial sustainability of operations remains in the forefront of the Czech NGO needs, EU is therefore largely perceived as a source of potential programme financing, rather than as an important driver of the international development cooperation. 

FoRS members increasingly perceive FoRS as playing an essential role in both the national and European policy arenas. The project will in the medium-term should enable FoRS to fulfil its role as an advocacy centre on development cooperation policy. Moreover, FoRS will be better poised to make use of the opportunity offered by the 2009 Czech EU Presidency to further its position as a key stakeholder in the policy dialogue over the EU Development Policy both at national and EU levels.

Through this project, the following policy tasks will be undertaken by FoRS and its membership and shall continue post-implementation:

• Analysis of development policy priorities, assess FoRS and the Czech Republic’s role in contributing to development cooperation nationally and Europe-wide, and identification of a main focus for FoRS policy work.
• A consistent and systematic monitoring of the Czech ODA performance in the light of the Czech Republic’s   international commitments and the ODA effectiveness.
• Actively promote policy coherence for development as well as greater coherence of Czech development policy with the EU development policy.
• Continue advocacy work of the Czech GCAP campaign “Czechia against Poverty” and to project the promoted aims of the campaign into the FoRS policy actions.
• Mobilisation of NGDOs and their expertise for the upcoming Czech Presidency of the EU and network with other NGO partners and coalitions inside and outside of the Czech Republic.
• Participation in coordinated joint policy and advocacy work within the NGDO community of the CEE region.