Challenging Poland in EU development policy decision-making

Total Budget: 36.804 euros            Total Request from Fund: 35.045 euros

A ground-breaking report by civil society groups in Poland has revealed that effective ODA management is problematic for Polish government issued this year. This report raised the need to analyse Polish ODA in comparison to MFA strategy and to verify governmental strategy and performance in relation to the real needs of developing countries and commitments made at the EU level.

Rooted in this report, the main goal of the project is to identify the lack of coherence between EU Development Policy and the existing and the proposed Polish development cooperation policy. Thematic working meetings for key NGO interested in advocacy on development are needed for working out arguments coherent with the EU NGO position and based on their experience. Policy partnerships need to be forged with NGDOs from Polish priority countries to monitor development goals and to ensure that needs of these priority countries are properly assessed and Polish performance will meet MDGs. The drafting of a report on Polish policy compliance based on an will inform an effective advocacy campaign. This report will be available to all partners from partner countries. Report will not only focus on the divergences between Polish commitments on EU level and performance of Polish government but will also include recommendations connected with meeting EU commitments. With the help of the report Polish Green Network supported by allies will advocate for necessary changes through discussion with the decision makers - in a more detailed, convincing and concrete way putting EU perspective to the issue (EDF scrutiny, the problem of genuine aid, choosing priorities, governance standards).

Polish MPs will be engaged to undertake public scrutiny on strategic moves of MFA’s ODA management and the framing of the Polish Development Policy.

Desired results of project are:

• Engaging Polish decision makers with proposed solutions ensuring compliance of the Polish National Development Cooperation policy with the EU Development Policy;   
• Establishing effective legal framework for providing Polish development assistance in line with committed plans;
• Establishment of new Parliamentary sub commission responsible for ODA.